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ALBANY, NY – In recognition of Sunshine Week, New York and national transparency advocates have sent a letter to Legislative Leaders urging them to strengthen New York’s Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) by passing a package of four key reform bills.
New York’s FOIL, which turned 50 last year, remains the most important transparency tool available to the public. However, it has not kept pace with advancements in technology, journalism, and case law. Significant updates have been overdue for years.
Advocates rallied in Albany alongside legislators to highlight how these bills will enhance government transparency and accountability.
Legislators in attendance (sponsors of FOIL legislation):
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Senator John Liu
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Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal
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Senator James Skoufis
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Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal
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Assemblymember Phil Steck
Groups/Speakers:
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Rachael Fauss, Senior Policy Advisor, Reinvent Albany
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Axel Ebermann, President, New York Coalition For Open Government
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David Siffert, Legal Director, Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP)
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Shane Ferro, Staff Attorney, Legal Aid Society
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Blair Horner, Senior Policy Advisor, NYPIRG
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Liz Moran, Policy Advocate, EarthJustice
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Greg Campbell-Cohen, TIMBER
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Justin Harrison, Senior Policy Counsel, New York Civil Liberties Union
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Erica Smitka, Executive Director, League of Women Voters of NYS
Four FOIL Reform Bills
Report FOIL Activity (S452 (Hoylman-Sigal) / A2321 (McDonald)) – Passed the Assembly last session.
New York has no system to track FOIL compliance, and evidence suggests many agencies fall short. This bill will require agencies to report FOIL data, increasing transparency and accountability.
Reduce Agency FOIL Response Time (S2520 (Skoufis) / A3425 (Raga)) – Advanced to third reading in the Senate last session.
New York agencies frequently delay FOIL requests, keeping public records out of reach for months. This bill sets strict deadlines to ensure timely access and prevent unnecessary delays.
Strengthen FOIL Attorneys’ Fees (A950-A (Steck) / S1418-A (Liu)) – Passed the Senate last session.
Getting attorney fees awarded for a successful Freedom of Information or Open Meetings lawsuit is not easy. Our bill addresses that.
Limit Commercial FOIL Exemption (S5000 (Hoylman-Sigal) / A1410 (Rosenthal)) – Passed the Senate last session.
Prevents permanent FOIL exemptions by requiring businesses to reapply for confidentiality every three years. It ensures greater transparency while still protecting sensitive information.
The coalition urges the Senate and Assembly to pass all four bills during Sunshine Week 2025 – a move that vastly increases their chances of becoming law. These bills, developed in consultation with legal experts, legislative staff, and lawmakers, represent common-sense reforms aimed at modernizing FOIL.
Supporting Organizations
The following organizations have signed the letter in support of these FOIL reforms:
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American Oversight
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BetaNYC
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Common Cause/NY
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Defending Rights & Dissent
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Earthjustice
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Freedom of the Press Foundation
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League of Women Voters of New York State
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The Legal Aid Society
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The Media and Democracy Project (MAD)
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National Press Photographers Association (NPPA)
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New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU)
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New York Coalition for Open Government
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New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG)
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The Radio Television Digital News Association
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Reinvent Albany
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Society of Environmental Journalists
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The Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.)
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TIMBER