Secrecy Bill for Virginia Anti-Terror Agency Causes Concern

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Virginia’s legislature has proposed a secrecy bill that would exempt its anti-terror center from the state’s Freedom of Information Act. The proposal would shield employees of the Virginia Fusion Center “from subpoenas in civil lawsuits concerning criminal intelligence information or terrorism investigations.” The bill passed the House 98-1, and a Senate panel could hear it the week of Feb. 18. Supported by law enforcement officials, who say it provides the necessary security for agencies to exchange information, the bill is being fought by open government advocates, who argue it gives too much power to an already quasi-secret agency. (2/18/08)