Strengthening Transparency and Open Access to Government Amendment Act of 2016

Sponsor(s): Councilmembers Grosso and Cheh

Status: Referred to Committee on Judiciary

Date Introduced: 1/19/16

Hearing Date: N/A

Description:

Establishes the Open Government Office as the body to resolve appeals regarding Freedom of Information Act requests.
Expands the definition of a reasonable search by a public body.
Requires the development of a web portal for the public to access certain information that should be maintained by the Office of the Chief Technology Officer.
Establishes criteria under which the furnishing of public records shall be without charge.
Extends the amount of time a public body has to respond to a FOIA request.
Creates uniform procedures for processing and tracking requests for public records.