PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the Subcommittee on Information, Justice, Transportation and Agriculture.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Nov 23, 1993
Electronic Freedom of Information Improvement Act of 1993 - Amends the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to: (1) direct agencies to publish electronically by computer telecommunications all information required to be published in the Federal Register; (2) include among such required information an index of all information stored in an electronic form by the agency, a description of any new database, and a list of all statutes authorizing the agency to withhold information under such Act; (3) enable requesters to receive records in the format in which such records are maintained; (4) require reasonable efforts by the agency to provide records in an electronic format even when such records are not usually maintained in such format; (5) credit to agencies which have been found to be responsive to FOIA requests a percentage of the fees collected from such requests to offset compliance costs, at an agency's request; (6) provide for Government payment of the requester's out-of-pocket expenses in any case in which the agency has failed to comply with the FOIA request within prescribed time limits; (7) allow penalties to be assessed against an agency which violates such time limits; (8) preclude treatment of routine agency backlogs as unusual circumstances warranting extension of time limits; (9) require denial notifications to specify the total number of denied records and pages considered in responding to the FOIA request; (10) mandate agency regulations governing FOIA requests for expedited access; (11) require deletions to be indicated on the released portion of the record where they were made; and (12) define "record" to include electronic information and "search" to include an automated examination to locate records.
People & committees
Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT] · D–VT
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Information, Justice, Transportation and Agriculture.
By Senator Biden from Committee on Judiciary filed written report. Report No. 103-365.
By Senator Biden from Committee on Judiciary filed written report. Report No. 103-365.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Referred to the House Committee on Government Operations.
Received in the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S12646-12647)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Voice Vote.(consideration: CR S12646-12647)
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 594.
Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Biden with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Biden with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Committee on Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Referred to Subcommittee on Technology and the Law.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S17056-17058)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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