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Secrecy Statutes and the Freedom of Information Act. Narrow proposals put information beyond public’s reach Broad impact on Public safety Oversight Democracy. Simple Steps Congress Can Take. Rick Blum Sunshine in Government Initiative. The Elevator Version. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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SECRECY STATUTES and the
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT
Narrow proposals put information beyond public’s reach
Broad impact on• Public safety• Oversight• Democracy
Simple Steps Congress Can Take
Rick BlumSunshine in Government Initiative
THE ELEVATOR VERSION
1. Many Secrecy Statutes carve loopholes in FOIA.
2. Review is “Whac-A-Mole” & creates bad policy.
3. “The Ask”: Be a FOIA Hawk* BRIEF REFERRAL TO “FOIA COMMITTEES”* BUILD IN PROTECTIONS YOURSELF - -
CHECKLIST
3
Balanced.
Interests
already protect
ed
National Security
Privacy
Trade Secrets
Internal Deliberatio
nsPersonnel Informatio
n
Financial Informatio
n
Wells
“Any other laws” --
FOIA (b)(3)
Special Secrets for Special Interests
How many (b)(3) statutes?Who reviews them?
FOIA is vital & balanced
Vital.
bullet-proof vests
don’t stop bullets
Veterans wait for benefits
Missing gov’t
property
Lead in school
lunchboxes
Crumbling bridges
FOIA has told vital stories
FOIA already protects interests from disclosure.
250-300+ on the books
Dozens proposed every year
Birds v. Jets
Satellites
Beekeepers
Losing Contract
BidsConsumer products
Port security
Tax bill
Sullenberger / Hudson River Jet
projects.propublica.org/foia-exemptions/
1. Many Secrecy Statutes Carve “(b)(3)” Loopholes in FOIA
5
Special Interests
• Agencies
• Stakeholders
“Save us from FOIA”
Proposed “(b)(3)
exemption”
ENACTED
2.Review is “Whac-A-Mole”
Special Secrets for Special Interests
How it starts
USED
62. “Whack A Mole” Reviews Mean Bad Policy
FOIA issues dealt with too late
UnnecessaryDelays
Over-withholdin
g
Special Secrets for Special Interests
7
3. The Ask: #1 Be a FOIA Hawk
Is a FOIA statutory exemption really necessary? Subject to disclosure now? Would the information now be disclosed
under FOIA? 2. Reason for withholding. Can you clearly articulate a reason for
withholding the information? 3. Withholding > Disclosing? Is the interest in withholding clearly
greater than the public interest in disclosure? 4. Go public. Will you publicly disclose the exemption at the time it is
proposed?
Still need it? … Use the (b)(3) checklist!Special Secrets for Special Interests
8
Any new statutory exemptions should be limited.
Use the Checklist:
First, draft narrowly. Protect only what you can identify.
Second, include:
1. Public reporting. Is the exemption working?
2. Oversight. Congress, GAO or inspectors general can provide oversight when the public cannot.
3. A beautiful sunset. Add an expiration date.
4. Safe harbor for whistle blowing.
5. Balanced penalties (if any). Don’t tip scales toward secrecy.
Special Secrets for Special Interests
9
#2 What Can Congress Do?End “Whac-A-Mole” Reviews
Enforce the OPEN FOIA Act of 2009. All exemptions from disclosure of government records must cite to FOIA section (b)(3).
Routinely use committee referrals. Any
proposed (b)(3) exemption should be referred to the committee with jurisdiction over FOIA House: Oversight and Government Reform Senate: Judiciary Committee
Special Secrets for Special Interests
10
Get Help
House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform oversight.house.gov
Senate Judiciary Committee judiciary.senate.gov
Special Secrets for Special Interests
Office of Government Information Services (OGIS)
ogis.archives.gov202-741-57701-877-684-6448
Office of Information Policy (Department of Justice)
usdoj.gov/oip202-514-FOIA (3642)
11
How it should work…
Special Secrets for Special Interests
Stronger Democracy
More Transparency Better protections
Better PolicyTransparency Reasonable Exceptions
Better VettingFOIA Referral Do you really need a new law?
Rick BlumSunshine in Government [email protected]@sunshineingov
BE A FOIA HAWK.
1. Question new FOIA proposals.2. Consult FOIA (experts & law)3. Send FOIA bills to FOIA
committees.
4. Thank you for your work!