The Electronic FOIA
(E-FOIA) Amendments
signed into law in
1996 amended the Freedom
of Information Act,
adding a requirement
that agencies had
to establish an electronic
reading room. The
reading room must
include agency policy
manuals, opinions
made in the adjudication
of cases, and an index
of records released
by FOIA that are likely
to become the subject
of subsequent FOIA
requests.
In
addition, E-FOIA
1. Extends from
10 to 20 business
days (excluding holidays)
the time agencies
have to respond to
requests for information
2. Requires agencies
to make reasonable
efforts to make records
available in the form
desired by requesters
3. Requires agencies
to submit the USDA
FOIA Report by the
fiscal year
4. Requires agencies
to make the reports
available to the public
by computer telecommunications
or other electronic
means
5. Requires agencies
to list their major
information systems
record locator system
and a reference guide
or guide for obtaining
information
6. Requires that
the provisions of
the E-FOIA be implemented
by specific dates
USDA
Policy Manuals
The system is the
online repository
of all USDA Department
Manuals, Regulations,
Notices, and Memoranda.
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