[20190717]IF11272_《信息自由法》政府信息费.pdf

https:/crsreports.congress.gov July 17, 2019Freedom of Information Act Fees for Government InformationThe Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) establishes a presumption that information in the possession of executive branch agencies and departments of the U.S. federal government is accessible to the public. Under FOIA, the burden of proof to access government information shifted from a requesters “need to know” to a “right to know” doctrine, where the federal government has to show a need to keep the information secret (H.Rept. 109-226). However, federal agencies may recoup the costs of providing information to the public by assessing FOIA fees (hereinafter, fees). This piece discusses what fees are used for, how fees are assessed, fee waivers, and payment of fees. What Are the Fees Used for? Created by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) pursuant to FOIA, the Uniform Freedom of Information Act Fee Schedule and Guidelines provides information on the use and assessment of fees. Fees assessed for the duplication and receipt of government information reimburse the responding agency for costs incurred in providing these services. Direct costs related to providing these