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United States · Law · S

S. 337 (114th)

FOIA Improvement Act of 2016

enactedUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

2 February 2015

Last action

30 June 2016 · Became law

Status

Became Public Law No: 114-185.

Sponsors

Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX], Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT], Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA], Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE], Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE], Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]

Subjects

Budget

Source updated

10 August 2026

Budget

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Summary

FOIA Improvement Act of 2015 This bill makes changes to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to provide the public with greater access to information and records that are disclosable under FOIA. The bill requires agencies, in administering FOIA, to: (1) make information disclosable under such Act available for public inspection in an electronic format, and (2) make available to the public records that have been requested three or more times (frequently requested records). The bill establishes a presumption of openness by prohibiting an agency from withholding information requested under FOIA unless: (1) the agency reasonably foresees that disclosure would harm an interest protected by a FOIA exemption, or (2) disclosure is prohibited by law. Agencies are prohibited from assessing search or duplication fees if they have failed to comply with a deadline for complying with a FOIA request unless unusual circumstances apply and more than 50,000 pages are necessary to respond to the request. The bill expands the authority and duties of Chief FOIA Officers in each agency to require officers to serve as the primary agency liaison with the Office of Government Information Services and the Office of Information Policy. The bill establishes a Chief FOIA Officers Council to develop recommendations for: (1) increasing compliance and efficiency in responding to FOIA requests; (2) disseminating information about agency experiences; (3) identifying, developing, and coordinating initiatives to increase transparency and compliance; and (4) promoting performance measures to ensure agency compliance with FOIA requirements. The Office of Management and Budget is directed to ensure the operation of an online request portal that allows a member of the public to submit a FOIA request for records to any agency from a single website.

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Timeline

  1. 2 February 2015

    Introduced

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S699-701)

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 2 February 2015

    Introduced

    Introduced in Senate

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 5 February 2015

    Reported

    Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

    Source: Committee

  4. 9 February 2015

    Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 17.

    Source: Calendars

  5. 9 February 2015

    Reported

    Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley without amendment. Without written report.

    Source: Committee

  6. 9 February 2015

    Reported

    Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley without amendment. Without written report.

    Source: Committee

  7. 23 February 2015

    Floor

    By Senator Grassley from Committee on the Judiciary filed written report. Report No. 114-4. Additional views filed.

    Source: Floor

  8. 23 February 2015

    Committee

    By Senator Grassley from Committee on the Judiciary filed written report. Report No. 114-4. Additional views filed.

    Source: Committee

  9. 15 March 2016

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

    Source: Floor

  10. 15 March 2016

    Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S1494-1496)

    Source: Floor

  11. 16 March 2016

    Floor

    Held at the desk.

    Source: Floor

  12. 16 March 2016

    Floor

    Received in the House.

    Source: Floor

  13. 16 March 2016

    Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

    Source: Floor

  14. 13 June 2016

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

  15. 13 June 2016

    Passed

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3714-3716)

    Source: Floor

  16. 13 June 2016

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H3714-3716)

    Source: Floor

  17. 13 June 2016

    Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 337.

    Source: Floor

  18. 13 June 2016

    Floor

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3714-3719)

    Source: Floor

  19. 13 June 2016

    Floor

    Mr. Meadows moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

    Source: Floor

  20. 22 June 2016

    Floor

    Presented to President.

    Source: Floor

  21. 22 June 2016

    President

    Presented to President.

    Source: President

  22. 30 June 2016

    Became law

    Became Public Law No: 114-185.

    Source: President

  23. 30 June 2016

    President

    Signed by President.

    Source: President

  24. 30 June 2016

    Became law

    Signed by President.

    Source: BecameLaw

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

15 official files

Enrolled Bill (text)

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  • Enrolled Bill (text)

    Enrolled Bill · EN

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  • Enrolled Bill (PDF)

    Enrolled Bill · EN

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  • Public Law (text)

    Public Law · EN · 30 June 2016

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  • Public Law (PDF)

    Public Law · EN · 30 June 2016

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  • Public Law

    summary · EN · 30 June 2016

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  • Passed House without amendment

    summary · EN · 13 June 2016

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  • Engrossed in Senate (text)

    Engrossed in Senate · EN · 15 March 2016

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  • Engrossed in Senate (PDF)

    Engrossed in Senate · EN · 15 March 2016

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  • Passed Senate amended

    summary · EN · 15 March 2016

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  • Reported to Senate (text)

    Reported to Senate · EN · 9 February 2015

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  • Reported to Senate (PDF)

    Reported to Senate · EN · 9 February 2015

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  • Reported to Senate without amendment

    summary · EN · 9 February 2015

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  • Introduced in Senate (text)

    Introduced in Senate · EN · 2 February 2015

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  • Introduced in Senate (PDF)

    Introduced in Senate · EN · 2 February 2015

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  • Introduced in Senate

    summary · EN · 2 February 2015

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