SUMMARY
The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) seeks public comment on a proposed rule that would update and clarify the procedures for submitting Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and appeals, and would modify the manner in which FOIA requests qualify for expedited processing at OSC. The proposed rule would describe additional methods for submitting FOIA requests and appeals. It would also promote efficiency in FOIA administration by enhancing OSC's ability to respond to certain requests on an expedited basis. The proposed rule makes minor technical revisions to the name of an OSC unit and to OSC's Internet and physical address information.
OSC also seeks public comment on a proposed rule that would
establish procedures that requesters must follow when making demands on
or requests to an OSC employee to produce official records or provide
testimony relating to official information in connection with a legal
proceeding in which the OSC is not a party. The proposed rule would
also establish procedures to respond to such demands and requests in an
orderly and consistent manner. The proposed rule will promote
uniformity in decisions, protect confidential information, provide
guidance to requesters, and reduce the potential for both inappropriate
disclosures of official information and wasteful allocation of agency
resources.
Please see OSC's May 5, 2016
notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register for more information.
DATES TO SUBMIT COMMENTS
Written or electronic comments must be received on or before July 5, 2016.
HOW TO SUBMIT COMMENTS
You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal:
http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
• Email:
abeckett@osc.gov. Include ‘‘FOIA/Touhy Regulation’’ in the subject line of the message.
• Fax:
(202) 254–3711
• Mail: U.S. Office of Special Counsel
Office of General Counsel
1730 M Street NW., Suite 218
Washington, DC 20036
• Hand Delivery/Courier:
U.S. Office of Special Counsel
Office of General Counsel
1730 M Street NW., Suite 218
Washington, DC 20036
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Contact Amy Beckett, Senior Litigation Counsel, U.S. Office of Special Counsel, by telephone at (202) 254–3600, by facsimile at (202) 254–3711, or by email at abeckett@osc.gov. Also, please see OSC's May 5, 2016
notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register for more information.
COMMENTS RECEIVED