The Administrative Conference of the United States (ACUS) published a fact sheet on January 16 that identifies the materials federal agencies must include on their websites. The fact sheet cites several sections of the United States Code that require federal agencies to share certain documents online.
The fact sheet includes the following selected document types: • Strategic plans • Plain writing policy and reports • How and where to obtain information and submit requests • Rules of procedure • Substantive rules of general applicability • Statements of general policy • Policy statements and interpretations not published in the _Federal Register_ • Adjudication opinions and orders • Commonly requested Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) releases • Whistleblower protections • Inspector General reports and audits • Statistical agency standards and policies
In addition to the specific information agencies must share, other laws and regulations require agencies to maintain certain pages on their websites. For instance, agencies must provide a link to the relevant Office of the Inspector General website, maintain an open government page, host a database of guidance documents, and provide an electronic reading room to publish FOIA materials.
ACUS is an independent federal agency that aims to develop recommendations to improve federal administrative processes. ACUS forms recommendations based on research and advice from government officials and nonpartisan individuals whom the agency considers to be experts in the private sector or academia. ACUS recommendations focus on organizational and procedural administrative reforms rather than substantive policy issues.
To learn more about the ACUS or independent agencies, see here: Administrative Conference of the United States Independent federal agency
Click here to read the ACUS fact sheet
Additional reading: Federal Register Freedom of Information Act Guidance (administrative state) United States Code Adjudication (administrative state)
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