FOIA Advisory CommitteeFreedom of Information Act Advisory CommitteeFOIAAC_5550165e-59fb-11e4-8ea3-f36f6de4af58The Committee is established in accordance with the NAP and the directive in the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552(h)(1)(C), that the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) "recommend policy changes … to improve" the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) administration. The Committee is governed by the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. App.Office of Government Information ServicesCongress refers to OGIS as "the Federal FOIA ombudsman." What does this mean? In short, OGIS serves as a bridge between requesters and agencies, particularly in situations where clear, direct communication has been lacking. OGIS was created within the National Archives and Records Administration when the OPEN Government Act of 2007 amended the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. § 552)... OGIS will provide funding and administrative support for the Committee to the extent permitted by law and within existing appropriations.Miriam NisbetOGIS DirectorOpen Government PartnershipAs part of the Open Government Partnership, the United States issued its second Open Government National Action Plan (NAP) on December 5, 2013, that sets forth several specific initiatives the Administration would undertake in the coming two years. One flagship initiative includes various efforts to modernize the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), including creating a FOIA Federal Advisory Committee to be “comprised of government and non-governmental members of the FOIA community, to foster dialog between the Administration and the requester community, solicit public comments, and develop consensus recommendations for improving FOIA administration and proactive disclosures.”U.S. National Archives and Records AdministrationDavid FerrieroArchivist of the United StatesPatrice Little MurrayCommittee Management Officer Christa LemelinDesignated Federal OfficerFOIAAC MembersMembership -- Archivist of the United States David Ferriero appointed the 20 members of the Committee in May 2014. There are 10 members from within government and 10 non-governmental members who have considerable FOIA expertise and who were selected to achieve a balanced representation. Committee members are appointed to serve a two-year term. OGIS Director Miriam Nisbet will chair the Committee. The Committee shall meet up to four times per year and may call additional meetings as may be necessary. Meetings will be open to the public._555017bc-59fb-11e4-8ea3-f36f6de4af58To serve as a deliberative body to advise on improvements to FOIA administration. _5550187a-59fb-11e4-8ea3-f36f6de4af58Study & RecommendationsStudy the FOIA landscape across the Executive Branch and recommend legislative action, policy changes or executive action, among other matters._55501910-59fb-11e4-8ea3-f36f6de4af58_555019a6-59fb-11e4-8ea3-f36f6de4af582014-10-22https://ogis.archives.gov/foia-advisory-committee.htmOwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net