​​​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