Paperwork law requires affirmative steps to release information

Paperwork law requires affirmative steps to release information

10/09/95

WASHINGTON, D.C.–Federal agencies must take affirmative steps to disseminate public information under the mandates of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 which went into effect October 1.

In late September Sally Katzen, head of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the Office of Management and Budget directed senior information resources officials at all government agencies to comply with the act.

Requiring agencies to promote the use of government information “for the maximum benefit of society,” the law calls for agencies to consider the needs of public users of their information in setting up information practices; to set user fees as low as the actual cost of dissemination; and to provide timely and equitable access to public information.

Many of the information requirements of the new Paperwork Reduction Act were incorporated in OMB Circular A-130, a revision of the Executive Branch’s information policy that was issued in July 1993.

Katzen said federal agencies have dramatically increased the quality and quantity of government information available to the public in paper and electronic form since A-130 was issued. (P.L. 104-13)