A FOIA log is a list of requests for public information.
It usually includes the requester, date, documents requested, and the date a response got sent.
I've shown a screen shot of a basic log kept by the Md Health Benefit Exchange. While they sent me a PDF the log is kept in an Excel spreadsheet.
I've put the complete original PDF online using Scribd.com: https://www.scribd.com/...
I tried to embed as a scrolling PDF below the orange FOIA Process Diagram, but the Scribd embed code wasn't working even though I tried two versions. Then I changed "https" to http in the iframe code, and it worked.
So you can scroll through the whole banana below.
There's no guarantee an agency keeps a FOIA log, but most do. Small local governments may not. In that case, read on.
Why Are These Useful?
For one thing, you can see who is asking for what. This can be helpful several ways.
1. You can identify items that already have been asked for, and ask for them. This should mean you will get them faster. They've already been vetted for "confidential information."
FOIA laws allow documents to be censored. In theory, only the minimum amount of truly confidential information can be removed. In practice, this leads to three potential abuses.
a. Redacting too much. Such as blacking out entries in a Table of Contents. Or, as I once saw, attempting to black out material from meeting minutes (!!!).
b. Delaying the response. "Oh, the lawyer is still reviewing it."
c. Running up the bill. "Oh, the lawyer's time is worth $250 an hour. You can have the documents for $1,250." Don't laugh. I've seen this too.
Examples of rampant redactionism will be displayed in a future diary.
A fourth potential abuse seen in some situations involving contracts is where the contractor is allowed to remove "competitive business information." Here, for example, we've seen an hourly rate already posted on a business website blacked out.
Next Advantage
If they're already been examined by the attorney, the agency should have no reason to bill you for time to locate and review the documents. The "charge the public top dollar" impulse is a chronic abuse.
Strategic Advantage
The FOIA log can also indicate people or groups that are looking at the same questions you are. It might make sense to contact them and combine efforts. No sense in everyone going through every step independently.
How to Get One
Ask for the FOIA Log covering a range of dates: FOIA Log for 1/1/2013 to 1/1/2014, for example.
(Your state's nomenclature may vary, in Maryland, it's a PIA log for "Public Information Act.")
No Log?
Then ask for copies of all FOIA response cover letters over a certain time period. These are in effect what's listed in a FOIA log. Not as compact, but perhaps even more useful. The letters should have no blackouts; anyone's FOIA request letter and the response(s) to them are public information.
MHBE #3 PIA Log Ending 09.24.14
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