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HR 1326 110th Congress House

OPEN Government Act of 2007

Official title: To promote openness in Government by strengthening section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Freedom of Information Act), and for other purposes.

Introduced: March 5, 2007 See on congress.gov
Government Operations and Politics Administrative feesAdministrative procedureAdministrative remediesBusiness records
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Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority IssuesCivil actions and liabilityCommerceCongressCongressional investigationsCongressional reporting requirementsConsent decreesData banksDisciplining of employeesEconomics and Public FinanceElectronic government informationEmployee trainingExecutive reorganizationFederal employeesFederal officialsFreedom of informationGovernment contractorsGovernment paperworkGovernment publicityGovernment statisticsGovernmental investigationsIdentification devicesInfrastructureInfrastructure (Economics)InternetJudicial reviewLabor and EmploymentLawLegal feesLegislationMass mediaNational Archives and Records AdministrationPerformance measurementPersonnel managementPosition classificationPromotionsPublic recordsSalariesScience, Technology, CommunicationsTelephoneTerrorismUser chargesWeb sites
This bill died when the 110th Congress ended
It never became law before the 110th Congress (2007–2008) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 27, 2007
Referred to the Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives.
Mar 5, 2007
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Mar 5, 2007
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E460)
Mar 5, 2007
Introduced in House
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 Latest action March 27, 2007

Referred to the Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Openness Promotes Effectiveness in our National Government Act of 2007 or the OPEN Government Act of 2007 - Amends the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to prohibit a federal agency from denying a requester status as a news media representative for purposes of determining FOIA request processing fees solely on the absence of institutional association. Requires an agency to consider the requester's prior publication history or stated intent to distribute information to a reasonably broad audience.

Provides that, for purposes of recovery of attorney fees and other litigation costs under FOIA, a complainant has substantially prevailed if the complainant has obtained relief through either: (1) a judicial order, an administrative action, or an enforceable written agreement or consent decree; or (2) a voluntary or unilateral change in position by the opposing party in a case in which the complainant's claim or defense was not frivolous.

Directs the Attorney General to notify the Special Counsel of and report to Congress on civil actions taken for arbitrary and capricious rejections of requests for agency records.

Prohibits the tolling of the time limit within which agencies determine whether to comply with a request for records without the consent of the party filing the request.

Requires agencies to establish systems to track requests.

Adds requirements for reports by agencies to the Attorney General on such requests.

Establishes the Office of Government Information Services in the National Archives to: (1) provide, as a non-exclusive alternative to litigation, guidance to FOIA requesters; (2) review policies and procedures by administrative agencies under FOIA; and (3) recommend to Congress and the President policy changes to improve FOIA's administration.

Requires the: (1) Comptroller General to annually report on implementation of provisions for the protection of voluntarily shared critical infrastructure information; and (2) Office of Personnel Management to report on personnel policies related to FOIA.

 Related & companion bills 4
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1326: OPEN Government Act of 2007. 110th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/110-HR-1326/
MLA
"H.R. 1326: OPEN Government Act of 2007." 110th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/110-HR-1326/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1326, 110th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/110-HR-1326/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1326: OPEN Government Act of 2007](https://openamerica.io/bill/110-HR-1326/)
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