96-13469. Freedom of Information Policy and Procedures  

  • [Federal Register Volume 61, Number 105 (Thursday, May 30, 1996)]
    [Proposed Rules]
    [Pages 27031-27036]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 96-13469]
    
    
    
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    ARMS CONTROL AND DISARMAMENT AGENCY
    
    22 CFR Part 602
    
    
    Freedom of Information Policy and Procedures
    
    AGENCY: Arms Control and Disarmament Agency.
    
    ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
    
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    SUMMARY: The United States Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (ACDA) 
    proposes to revise and restate in their entirety its rules that govern 
    the availability and release of information. By clarifying these rules, 
    this proposal will help the public to interact better with ACDA and is 
    part of ACDA's effort to update and streamline its regulations. ACDA 
    invites comments from interested groups and members of the public on 
    the proposed regulations.
    
    DATES: To be considered, comments must be delivered by mail or in 
    person to the address, or faxed to the telephone number, listed below 
    by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, July 8, 1996.
    
    ADDRESSES: Comments should be directed to the Office of the General 
    Counsel, United States Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, Room 5635, 
    320 21st Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20451; FAX (202) 647-0024. 
    Comments will be available for inspection between 8:15 a.m. and 5:00 
    p.m. at the same address.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Frederick Smith, Jr., United States Arms Control and Disarmament 
    Agency, Room 5635, 320 21st Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20451, 
    telephone (202) 647-3596.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ACDA proposes to update, clarify, 
    reorganize, and streamline its rules regarding the availability and 
    release of information under the Freedom of Information Act, as 
    amended. ACDA does not intend these rules to materially affect current 
    ACDA standards, policies, or procedures.
    
    Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification
    
        It is hereby certified that the proposed rule will not have a 
    significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
    Accordingly, a regulatory flexibility analysis is not required.
    
    Executive Order 12866 Determination
    
        ACDA has determined that the proposed rule is not a significant 
    regulatory action within the meaning of section 3(f) of that Executive 
    Order.
    
    Paperwork Reduction Act Statement
    
        The proposed rule is not subject to the provisions of the Paperwork 
    Reduction Act because it does not contain any information collection 
    requirements within the meaning of that Act.
    
    Unfunded Mandates Act Determination
    
        ACDA has determined that the proposed rule will not result in 
    expenditures by state, local, and tribal governments, or by the private 
    sector, of more than $100 million in any one year. Accordingly, a 
    budgetary impact statement is not required under section 202 of the 
    Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995, 2 U.S.C. 1532.
    
    List of Subjects in 22 CFR Part 602
    
        Freedom of Information Act.
    
    The Proposed Regulations
    
        ACDA proposes to revise 22 CFR Part 602 to read as follows:
    
    PART 602--FREEDOM OF INFORMATION POLICY AND PROCEDURES
    
    Subpart A--Basic Policy
    
    Sec.
    602.1  Scope of part.
    602.2  Definitions.
    602.3  General policy.
    
    [[Page 27032]]
    
    Subpart B--Procedure for Requesting Records
    
    602.10  Requests for records.
    602.11  Requests in person.
    602.12  Availability of records at the ACDA Office of Public 
    Affairs.
    602.13  Copies of records.
    602.14  Records of other agencies, governments and international 
    organizations.
    602.15  Overseas requests.
    602.16  Responses and time limits on requests.
    602.17  Time extensions.
    602.18  Inability to comply with requests.
    602.19  Predisclosure notification for confidential commercial 
    information.
    
    Subpart C--Fees
    
    602.20  Fees for records search, review, copying, certification, and 
    related services.
    602.21  Waiver or reduction of fees.
    602.22  [Reserved]
    602.23  GPO and free publications.
    602.24  Method of payment.
    
    Subpart D--Denials of Records
    
    602.30  Denials.
    602.31  Exemptions.
    
    Subpart E--Review of Denials of Records
    
    602.40  Procedure for appealing initial determinations to withhold 
    records.
    602.41  Decision on appeal.
    
    Subpart F--Annual Report to the Congress
    
    602.50  Requirements for annual report.
    
        Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552; 22 U.S.C. 2581; and 31 U.S.C. 9701.
    
    Subpart A--Basic Policy
    
    
    Sec. 602.1  Scope of part.
    
        This part 602 establishes the policies, responsibilities and 
    procedures for release to members of the public of records which are 
    under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency.
    
    
    Sec. 602.2  Definitions.
    
        As used throughout this part, the following terms have the meanings 
    set forth in this section:
        (a) The term Agency and the acronym ACDA stand for the U.S. Arms 
    Control and Disarmament Agency.
        (b) The term records includes all books, papers, maps, photographs, 
    or other documentary materials, regardless of physical form or 
    characteristics, made or received by the Agency in pursuance of Federal 
    law or in connection with the transaction of public business and 
    preserved or appropriate for preservation by the Agency or its 
    legitimate successor as evidence of the organization, functions, 
    policies, decisions, procedures, operations, or other activities of the 
    Government or because of the informational value of data contained 
    therein. Library or museum material made or acquired solely for 
    reference or exhibition purposes is not included within the definition 
    of the term ``records.''
        (c) Deputy Director means the Deputy Director of the Agency.
        (d) The acronym FOIA stands for the Freedom of Information Act, as 
    amended (5 U.S.C. 552).
    
    
    Sec. 602.3  General policy.
    
        (a) In accordance with section 2 of the Arms Control and 
    Disarmament Act, as amended (22 U.S.C. 2551), it is the policy of ACDA 
    to carry out as one of its primary functions the dissemination and 
    coordination of public information concerning arms control, 
    nonproliferation, and disarmament.
        (b) In compliance with the FOIA, ACDA will make available upon 
    request by members of the public to the fullest extent practicable all 
    Agency records under its jurisdiction, as described in the FOIA, except 
    to the extent that they may be exempt from disclosure under the FOIA 
    and Sec. 602.31.
    
    Subpart B--Procedure for Requesting Records
    
    
    Sec. 602.10  Requests for records.
    
        (a) A written request for records should be addressed to: FOIA 
    Officer, U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, 320 21st Street, 
    N.W., Washington, DC 20451. To facilitate processing, the letter of 
    request and envelope should be conspicuously marked ``FOIA request.''
        (b) The request should identify the desired record or reasonably 
    describe it. The identification should be as specific as possible so 
    that a record can be found readily. Blanket requests or requests for 
    ``the entire file of'' or ``all matters relating to'' a specified 
    subject will not be accepted. The Agency will make any reasonable 
    effort to assist the requester in sharpening the request to eliminate 
    extraneous and unwanted materials and to keep search and copying fees 
    to a minimum.
        (c) If a fee is chargeable under subpart C of this part for search 
    or duplication costs incurred in connection with a request for an 
    Agency record, the request should include the anticipated fee or should 
    ask for a determination of such fee. Any chargeable fee must be paid in 
    full prior to issuance of requested materials. The method of payment is 
    described in Sec. 602.24.
    
    
    Sec. 602.11  Requests in person.
    
        A member of the public may request an Agency record by making an 
    appointment to apply in person between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 
    p.m. at the ACDA Office of Public Affairs, 320 21st Street, N.W., 
    Washington, DC 20451. Form ACDA-21, Public Information Service Request, 
    is available at the ACDA Office of Public Affairs for the convenience 
    of members of the public in requesting Agency records.
    
    
    Sec. 602.12  Availability of records at the ACDA Office of Public 
    Affairs.
    
        (a) A current index identifying all available records is kept on 
    file at the ACDA Office of Public Affairs. Copies of this index may be 
    obtained free upon request.
        (b) In addition, the ACDA Office of Public Affairs will maintain or 
    have available, unless authorized to be withheld, certain types of 
    unclassified records, including but not necessarily limited to the 
    following:
        (1) A copy of the ACDA Manual and other Agency regulations, 
    including a copy of title 22 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 
    and any other title of the CFR in which Agency regulations have been 
    published;
        (2) Copies of arms control and disarmament treaties or agreements 
    in force;
        (3) Research contracts between the Agency and universities or other 
    non-Government organizations; and
        (4) Reimbursable agreements with other Government agencies.
        (c) Copies of records available to the public may be inspected by a 
    requester in the ACDA Office of Public Affairs during the business 
    hours stated in Sec. 602.11. Copies of records made available for 
    inspection may not be removed by any requester from the ACDA Office of 
    Public Affairs.
    
    
    Sec. 602.13  Copies of records.
    
        (a) The Agency will provide copies of requested records of the same 
    type and quality that it would provide to personnel of another U.S. 
    Government agency in the course of official business. It will not 
    accept requests for special types of copying processes or for special 
    standards of quality of reproduction.
        (b) Copies of records requested will be reproduced as promptly as 
    possible and mailed to the requester. Chargeable fees will be 
    determined according to the schedule set forth in subpart C of this 
    part. The FOIA Officer is authorized to limit copies of each requested 
    record to ten or fewer when there exists an extraordinary demand for 
    the number of available copies or when requirements place excessive 
    demands on the Agency's copying facilities.
    
    [[Page 27033]]
    
    Sec. 602.14  Records of other agencies, governments and international 
    organizations.
    
        (a) Requests for records that were originated by or are primarily 
    the concern of another U.S. Government department or agency shall be 
    forwarded to the particular department or agency involved, and the 
    requester notified in writing.
        (b) Requests for records that have been furnished to the Agency by 
    foreign governments or by international organizations will not normally 
    be released unless the organization or government concerned has 
    indicated that the particular information should or may be made public. 
    Where international organizations or foreign governments concerned have 
    not made such a determination, the requester will be so advised, and if 
    possible, furnished the address to which the request may be sent.
    
    
    Sec. 602.15  Overseas requests.
    
        Pursuant to the general policy outlined in Sec. 602.3, ACDA has 
    made arrangements to provide the United States Information Agency 
    (USIA) with material for dissemination abroad, such as information on 
    official U.S. positions on arms control and disarmament policy. 
    Requests originating in an area served by a USIA office which are 
    received at Agency headquarters, will be referred to USIA when 
    appropriate for direct response to the requester.
    
    
    Sec. 602.16  Responses and time limits on requests.
    
        (a) The FOIA requires an initial determination on a request for an 
    Agency record to be made within ten working days after receipt of the 
    request.
        (b) If it is determined that the requested record (or portions 
    thereof) will be made available, the requested material will be 
    forwarded promptly after the initial determination, provided any 
    applicable fee has been paid in full.
        (c) If prior to making an initial determination it is anticipated 
    that the costs chargeable for a request will amount to more than $25.00 
    or more than the amount of the payment accompanying the request, 
    whichever is larger, the requester shall be promptly notified of the 
    total amount of the anticipated fee or such portion thereof as can 
    readily be estimated. In these instances, an advance deposit in the 
    estimated amount of the search, review, and copying costs may be 
    required. The request for an advance deposit shall extend an offer to 
    the requester to consult with Agency personnel in order to reformulate 
    the request in a manner that will reduce the fee, yet still meet the 
    needs of the requester.
        (d) In instances where the Agency has requested an advance deposit, 
    the date of receipt of the deposit will be considered as the request 
    date which begins the period of response by the Agency.
        (e) Receipt of a request for Agency records will be determined by 
    the time and date the request is received.
        (f) Where an obvious delay in receipt of a request has occurred, 
    such as in cases where the requester has failed to address the request 
    properly, or where a delay has been caused in the mails, the Agency 
    will dispatch to the requester an acknowldgement of the receipt of the 
    request.
    
    
    Sec. 602.17  Time extensions.
    
        (a) In unusual circumstances, the time limit for an initial or 
    final determination may be extended, but not to exceed a total of ten 
    working days in the aggregate in the processing of any specific request 
    for an Agency record.
        (b) ``Unusual circumstances'' means, but only to the extent 
    reasonably necessary to the proper processing of the particular case:
        (1) The need to search for and collect the requested records from 
    other establishments that are physically separate from ACDA 
    headquarters;
        (2) The need to search for, collect, and appropriately examine a 
    voluminous amount of separate and distinct records which are demanded 
    in a single request; or
        (3) The need for consultation, which shall be conducted with all 
    practicable speed, with another agency having a substantial interest in 
    the determination of the request.
    
    
    Sec. 602.18  Inability to comply with requests.
    
        (a) When a request cannot be fulfilled, the requester will be so 
    informed with reasons, and any fees returned after deduction of 
    applicable search costs. Such reasons may include, but are not limited 
    to the following:
        (1) Insufficient or vague identifying information which makes 
    identification or location of the record impossible;
        (2) No such record in existence;
        (3) Record available for purchase from the Government Printing 
    Office or elsewhere; or
        (4) Records destroyed pursuant to the Records Disposal Act.
        (b) Inability to comply with requests shall be processed the same 
    as denials of records, i.e., notification to the requester shall be in 
    writing, shall set forth the reasons therefor, shall be signed by the 
    name and title of the FOIA Officer, and shall include an explanation of 
    the requester's right to appeal, including the address to which an 
    appeal may be directed.
    
    
    Sec. 602.19  Predisclosure notification for confidential commercial 
    information.
    
        (a) When notification is required. If a request under the FOIA 
    seeks a record that contains information submitted by a person or 
    entity outside the Federal government that arguably is exempt from 
    disclosure under exemption 4 of the FOIA because disclosure could 
    reasonably be expected to cause substantial competitive harm, the 
    Agency shall notify the submitter that such a request has been made 
    whenever:
        (1) The submitter has made a good faith designation of information, 
    less than ten years old, as confidential commercial or financial 
    information, or
        (2) The Agency has reason to believe that disclosure of the 
    information could reasonably be expected to cause substantial 
    competitive harm.
        (b) Notification to submitter. The notice to the submitter shall 
    either describe the exact nature of the business information requested 
    or provide copies of the records or portions of records containing the 
    information. The notice shall afford the submitter a reasonable period 
    of time, based on the amount and/or complexity of the information, 
    within which to object to disclosure.
        (c) Objection by submitter. Any objection by a submitter to 
    disclosure must be made in writing and sent to: FOIA Officer, U.S. Arms 
    Control and Disarmament Agency, 320 21st Street, N.W., Washington, DC 
    20451. It should identify the portion(s) of the information to which 
    disclosure is objected, and should include a detailed statement of all 
    claimed grounds for withholding any of the information under the FOIA 
    and, in the case of exemption 4, an explanation of why the information 
    constitutes a trade secret or commercial or financial information that 
    is privileged and confidential, including a specification of any claim 
    of competitive or other business harm that would result from 
    disclosure.
        (d) Notification to requester. The Agency shall notify the 
    requester in writing when any notification to a submitter is made 
    pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section.
        (e) When notification is not required. Notification to a submitter 
    is not required if:
        (1) The Agency determines that the information requested should not 
    be disclosed;
        (2) Disclosure is required by statute (other than FOIA) or by 
    regulation; or
    
    [[Page 27034]]
    
        (3) The information has previously been lawfully published or 
    officially made available to the public.
        (f) Notice of intent to disclose. If the Agency determines that 
    despite the objection of the submitter the requested information should 
    be disclosed, in whole or in part, it shall notify both the requester 
    and the submitter of the decision and shall provide to the submitter in 
    writing:
        (1) A brief explanation of why the submitter's objections were not 
    sustained;
        (2) A description of the information to be disclosed; and
        (3) A specified disclosure date that provides a reasonable period 
    of time between receipt of the notice and the disclosure date.
        (g) Notice of lawsuit. (1) Whenever a requester brings legal action 
    to compel disclosure of information covered by paragraph (a) of this 
    section, the Agency shall promptly notify the submitter in writing.
        (2) Whenever a submitter brings legal action to prevent disclosure 
    of information covered by paragraph (a) of this section, the Agency 
    shall promptly notify the requester in writing.
    
    Subpart C--Fees
    
    
    Sec. 620.20  Fees for records search, review, copying, certification, 
    and related services.
    
        The fees for search, review, and copying services for Agency 
    records under the FOIA or the Privacy Act are as follows:
        (a) When documents are requested for commercial use, requesters 
    will be assessed the full direct costs for searching for, reviewing for 
    release, and copying the records sought. A ``commercial use'' request 
    refers to a request from or on behalf of one who seeks information for 
    a use or purpose that furthers the commercial, trade, or profit 
    interests of the requester or the person on whose behalf the request is 
    made.
        (b) Requesters from educational and noncommercial scientific 
    institutions will be assessed only copying costs.
        (c) Requesters who are representatives of the news media (persons 
    actively gathering news for an entity that is organized and operated to 
    publish or broadcast news to the public) will be assessed only copying 
    costs.
        (d) All other requesters will be assessed fees which recover the 
    full and reasonable direct cost of searching for, reviewing for 
    release, and copying records that are responsive to the request.
        (e) Requesters from educational and noncommercial scientific 
    institutions, representatives of the news media, and all other 
    noncommercial users, will not be assessed for the first 100 pages of 
    copying or the first two hours of search time. Commercial use 
    requesters will not be entitled to these free services.
        (f) The search and review hourly fees will be based upon employee 
    grade levels in order to recoup the full, allowable direct costs 
    attributable to their performance of these functions.
        (g) The fee for paper copy reproduction will be $.20 per page.
        (h) The fee for duplication of computer tape or printout 
    reproduction or other reproduction (e.g., microfiche) will be the 
    actual cost, including operator time.
        (i) If the cost of collecting any fee would be equal to or greater 
    than the fee itself, it will not be assessed.
        (j) A fee may be charged for searches that are not productive and 
    for searches for records or parts of records that subsequently are 
    determined to be exempt from disclosure.
        (k) Interest charges may be assessed on any unpaid bill starting on 
    the 31st day following the day on which the billing was sent, at the 
    rate prescribed in 31 U.S.C. 3717 and will accrue from the date of 
    billing. The Debt Collection Act, including disclosure to consumer 
    reporting agencies and the use of collection agencies, will be utilized 
    to encourage payment where appropriate.
        (l) If search charges are likely to exceed $25.00, the requester 
    will be notified of the estimated fees unless the requester's 
    willingness to pay whatever fee is assessed has been provided in 
    advance.
        (m) An advance payment (before work is commenced or continued on a 
    request) may be required if the charges are likely to exceed $250.00. 
    Requesters who have previously failed to pay a fee in a timely fashion 
    (i.e., within 30 days of the date of billing) may be required to pay 
    this amount plus any applicable interest (or demonstrate that the fee 
    has been paid) and then make an advance payment of the full amount of 
    the estimated fee before the new or pending request is processed.
    
    
    Sec. 602.21  Waiver or reduction of fees.
    
        Documents shall be furnished without any charge or at a charge 
    reduced below the fees set forth in Sec. 602.20 if disclosure of the 
    information is in the public interest because it is likely to 
    contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations or 
    activities of the government and is not primarily in the commercial 
    interest of the requester. The following six factors will be employed 
    in determining when such fees shall be waived or reduced:
        (a) The subject of the request: Whether the subject of the 
    requested records concerns ``the operations or activities of the 
    government;''
        (b) The informative value of the information to be disclosed: 
    Whether the disclosure is ``likely to contribute'' to an understanding 
    of government operations or activities;
        (c) The contribution to an understanding of the subject by the 
    general public likely to result from disclosure: Whether disclosure of 
    the information will contribute to the ``public understanding;''
        (d) The significance of the contribution to public understanding: 
    Whether the disclosure is likely to contribute ``significantly'' to 
    public understanding of government operations or activities;
        (e) The existence and magnitude of a commercial interest: Whether 
    the requester has a commercial interest that would be furthered by the 
    requested disclosure; and, if so
        (f) The primary interest in disclosure: Whether the magnitude of 
    the identified commercial interest of the requester is sufficiently 
    large, in comparison with the public interest in disclosure, that 
    disclosure is ``primarily in the commercial interest of the 
    requester.''
    
    
    Sec. 602.22  [Reserved]
    
    
    Sec. 602.23  GPO and free publications.
    
        (a) The index of records available in the Agency's Office of Public 
    Affairs will list the sales offices of records published by the 
    Government Printing Office (GPO). The Agency will refer each requester 
    to the appropriate sales office and refund any fee payments 
    accompanying the request. Published records out of print at the GPO may 
    be copied by the Agency for the requester at the requester's expense in 
    accordance with the fee schedule established for copying service. In 
    some instances the Agency may have extra copies of out of print GPO 
    records. These extra copies will be provided to requesters at the 
    printed GPO price.
        (b) The Agency makes some publications or records available to the 
    public without charge. These regulations neither change that practice 
    nor require payment of a fee by a requester unless the original stock 
    has been exhausted and copying services are necessary to satisfy a 
    request.
    
    
    Sec. 602.24  Method of payment.
    
        (a) Payment may be in the form of cash, a personal check or bank 
    draft drawn on a bank in the United States, or a postal money order. 
    Remittances shall be made payable to the Treasury
    
    [[Page 27035]]
    
    of the United States and mailed or delivered to the FOIA Officer, U.S. 
    Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, 320 21st Street, N.W., Washington, 
    DC 20451. Cash should not be sent by mail.
        (b) A receipt for fees paid will be given upon request.
    
    Subpart D--Denials of Records
    
    
    Sec. 602.30  Denials.
    
        (a) Requests for inspection or copies of records may be denied 
    where the information or record is exempt from disclosure for reasons 
    stated in Sec. 602.31.
        (b) Denials shall be in writing, shall set forth the reasons 
    therefor, shall be signed by the FOIA Officer and shall include an 
    explanation of the requester's right to appeal, including the address 
    to which an appeal may be directed.
    
    
    Sec. 602.31  Exemptions.
    
        The requirements of this part to make Agency records available do 
    not apply to matters that are:
        (a) Specifically authorized under criteria established by an 
    Executive Order to be kept secret in the interest of national defense 
    or foreign policy and are in fact properly classified pursuant to such 
    Executive Order;
        (b) Related solely to the internal personnel rules and practices of 
    the Agency;
        (c) Specifically exempted from disclosure by statute;
        (d) Trade secrets and commercial or financial information obtained 
    from a person and privileged or confidential;
        (e) Inter-agency or intra-agency memoranda or letters that would 
    not be available by law to a private party in litigation with the 
    Agency;
        (f) Personnel and medical files and similar files the disclosure of 
    which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal 
    privacy;
        (g) Records or information compiled for law enforcement purposes, 
    but only to the extent that the production of such law enforcement 
    records or information:
        (1) Could reasonably be expected to interfere with enforcement 
    proceedings;
        (2) Would deprive a person of a right to a fair trial or impartial 
    adjudication;
        (3) Could reasonably be expected to constitute an unwarranted 
    invasion of personal privacy;
        (4) Could reasonably be expected to disclose the identity of a 
    confidential source, including a State, local or foreign agency or 
    authority or any private institution that furnished information on a 
    confidential basis, and, in the case of a record or information 
    compiled by a criminal law enforcement authority in the course of a 
    criminal investigation, or by an agency conducting a lawful national 
    security intelligence investigation, information furnished by a 
    confidential source;
        (5) Would disclose techniques and procedures for law enforcement 
    investigations or prosecutions, or would disclose guidelines for law 
    enforcement investigations or prosecutions if such disclosure could 
    reasonably be expected to risk circumvention of the law; or
        (6) Could reasonably be expected to endanger the life or physical 
    safety of any individual.
        (h) Contained in or related to examination, operating or condition 
    reports prepared by, on behalf of, or for the use of an agency 
    responsible for the regulation or supervision of financial 
    institutions; or
        (i) Geological and geophysical information and data, including 
    maps, concerning wells.
    
    Subpart E--Review of Denials of Record
    
    
    Sec. 602.40  Procedure for appealing initial determinations to withhold 
    records.
    
        (a) A member of the public who has requested an Agency record in 
    accordance with subpart B of this part and who has received an initial 
    determination that does not comply fully with the request, may appeal 
    such a determination.
        (b) The appeal shall:
        (1) Be in writing;
        (2) Be initiated within 30 working days of the initial 
    determination denying the request;
        (3) Include a copy of the initial written request, a copy of the 
    letter of denial, and the requester's reasons for appealing the denial; 
    and
        (4) Be addressed to the Deputy Director, U.S. Arms Control and 
    Disarmament Agency, 320 21st Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20451.
        (c) The 30-day period for appealing a denial begins on the date of 
    the denial letter. The 30-day limitation may be waived by the Agency 
    for good cause shown. The Agency will consider any request closed if, 
    within 30 working days after a complete or partial denial, the 
    requester fails to appeal the denial.
    
    
    Sec. 602.41  Decision on appeal.
    
        (a) Review and final determination on an appeal shall be made by 
    the Deputy Director.
        (b) [Reserved]
        (c) Review of an appeal shall be made on the submitted record. No 
    personal appearance, oral argument, or hearing shall be permitted.
        (d) The final determination on an appeal from a denial shall be 
    made by the Deputy Director within 20 working days of receipt of the 
    appeal by the Agency.
        (e) If the final determination is to release the withheld material, 
    the requester will be notified immediately and the material will be 
    forwarded promptly in accordance with the procedure described in 
    Sec. 602.16 for notifications of initial determinations.
        (f) If the final determination is to continue to withhold material 
    in whole or in part, the requester will be notified immediately of the 
    determination, the reasons therefor, and the right to judicial review.
        (g) All decisions will be indexed and available for inspection and 
    copying in the same manner as other Agency final orders and opinions, 
    if any, under 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(2).
    
    Subpart F--Annual Report to the Congress
    
    
    Sec. 602.50  Requirements for annual report.
    
        (a) On or before March 1 of each calendar year, ACDA shall submit a 
    report covering the preceding calendar year to the Speaker of the House 
    of Representatives and the President of the Senate for referral to the 
    appropriate committees of the Congress. The report shall include the 
    following information:
        (1) The number of determinations made by ACDA not to comply with 
    requests for records made to the Agency under this part and the reasons 
    for each such determination;
        (2) The number of appeals made by persons under subpart E of this 
    part, the result of such appeals, and the reason for the action upon 
    each appeal that results in a denial of information;
        (3) The names and titles or positions of each person responsible 
    for the denial of records requested under this part, and the number of 
    instances of participation for each;
        (4) The results of each proceeding conducted pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 
    552(a)(4)(F), including a report of the disciplinary action taken 
    against the officer or employee who was primarily responsible for 
    improperly withholding records or an explanation of why disciplinary 
    actions was not taken;
        (5) A copy of this part 602 and any other rule or regulation made 
    by ACDA regarding 5 U.S.C. 552;
        (6) A copy of the fee schedule and the total amount of fees 
    collected by ACDA for making records available under this part; and
        (7) Such other information as indicates efforts to administer fully 
    this part.
        (b) The FOIA Office will be responsible for preparing the report 
    for review and submission to the Congress.
    
    
    [[Page 27036]]
    
    
        Dated: May 20, 1996.
    Mary Elizabeth Hoinkes,
    General Counsel.
    [FR Doc. 96-13469 Filed 5-29-96; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 6820-32-M
    
    

Document Information

Published:
05/30/1996
Department:
Arms Control and Disarmament Agency
Entry Type:
Proposed Rule
Action:
Notice of proposed rulemaking.
Document Number:
96-13469
Dates:
To be considered, comments must be delivered by mail or in
Pages:
27031-27036 (6 pages)
PDF File:
96-13469.pdf
CFR: (24)
22 CFR 602.1
22 CFR 602.2
22 CFR 602.3
22 CFR 602.10
22 CFR 602.11
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