Freedom of Information Act
Freedom of Information Act - "the Act" or "FOIA" (pronounced FOI-YA) is a law enacted in 1966, that established citizens statutory right to access government records and information upon request. The basic purpose of FOIA is to ensure an informed citizenry vital to the functioning of a democratic society, needed to check against corruption and to hold the governors accountable to the governed.
Basically, the public or any individual or entity has the right to know or be informed about activities, decisions and policies of United States federal agencies. Amendments to the Act were signed into law by President Clinton on October 2, 1996, now titled Electronic Freedom of Information Act of 1996 (E-FOIA) and became effective March 31, 1997. E-FOIA amendments include electronic records, electronic reading room requirements, multi-tracking system and revisions in time limits.
The Act is found at 5 U.S.C. ยง 552. EPA implements FOIA under 40 C.F.R. Chapter 1 Part 2