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Can any average joe off the street make a FOIA request?
Posted on 1/6/25 at 8:56 am
Posted on 1/6/25 at 8:56 am
There has to some limiting mechanism to keep the system from being overwhelmed by idiots requesting everything and anything. I don't feel like googling...what does the OT say?
Posted on 1/6/25 at 8:59 am to sidewalkside
Yep. It's a pain in the arse for people who have to pull all that shite together too. I'm glad I moved to the private sector.
This post was edited on 1/6/25 at 9:00 am
Posted on 1/6/25 at 8:59 am to sidewalkside
quote:
There has to some limiting mechanism to keep the system from being overwhelmed by idiots requesting everything
Probably fed gov itself. Nobody wants to deal with them unless it’s absolutely necessary.
You’d also have to have a specific request for a specific agency, so you wouldn’t be able to send some generic query for generic info about UFO’s.
This post was edited on 1/6/25 at 9:01 am
Posted on 1/6/25 at 9:08 am to sidewalkside
Yes, but, I think the law says that the Requestor must pay the expenses of the Govt generated by answering the request.
Do you have $500,000.00 do spend on your request? Because the US FedGov will make sure that your bill is in that neighborhood.
Do you have $500,000.00 do spend on your request? Because the US FedGov will make sure that your bill is in that neighborhood.
Posted on 1/6/25 at 9:16 am to Champagne
quote:
I think the law says that the Requestor must pay the expenses of the Govt generated by answering the request.
So this must be the limiting factor.
Posted on 1/6/25 at 9:22 am to sidewalkside
Yes, but you won't be successful.
Posted on 1/6/25 at 9:27 am to sidewalkside
If you prove to be a pest and it appears you are just being a jackass, the govt can start saying no to your requests, or if you ask for things that have already been put out to the public.
As for costs, a lot of times they give you an option, if you want documentation of something you can have it printed and mailed to you if you cover those costs (often there is a limit, if you just want something that is one page generally no cost, but maybe if it's over 10 pages, it's X per page etc). But, you can also have it sent electronically and usually there is no cost.
The true frustration with foia is all the redactions.
As for costs, a lot of times they give you an option, if you want documentation of something you can have it printed and mailed to you if you cover those costs (often there is a limit, if you just want something that is one page generally no cost, but maybe if it's over 10 pages, it's X per page etc). But, you can also have it sent electronically and usually there is no cost.
The true frustration with foia is all the redactions.
Posted on 1/6/25 at 9:27 am to sidewalkside
Could be but I'm not certain.
The US Govt would be inclined to use such a counter-tactic, if it were available to it.
The US Govt would be inclined to use such a counter-tactic, if it were available to it.
Posted on 1/6/25 at 9:28 am to Champagne
quote:
Yes, but, I think the law says that the Requestor must pay the expenses of the Govt generated by answering the request.
Do you have $500,000.00 do spend on your request? Because the US FedGov will make sure that your bill is in that neighborhood.
It isn't even close to this much for most topics.
I had one that was 1600 pages and they didn't charge a dime.
Posted on 1/6/25 at 9:29 am to POTUS2024
quote:
The true frustration with foia is all the redactions
Yep and the wait time unless you can prove a public need for it to be expedited.
Posted on 1/6/25 at 9:42 am to sidewalkside
I had to make a FOIA request for pesticide registration dates for work once and it was a pain in the arse.
Posted on 1/6/25 at 10:04 am to TheWalrus
quote:
I had to make a FOIA request for pesticide registration dates for work once and it was a pain in the arse.
I filled out the paperwork for a project at the Port of NO and it was easy as could be. All I can tell you is that you should be as specific as possible and have as much information as possible included in your request.
In the past, I have filled them out for St. Tammany Parish, Jefferson Parish, and I am sure others. Never had a real problem. However, I have had to fill out additional information requests as responses came back to me.
Posted on 1/6/25 at 1:49 pm to sidewalkside
Yes. I do it all the time
Posted on 1/6/25 at 1:56 pm to sidewalkside
quote:
Can any average joe off the street make a FOIA request?
Oh boy, go check out some freedom auditor pages on youtube.
Posted on 1/6/25 at 2:01 pm to sidewalkside
Yes, but you will be charged for production time and costs. Also you may get paper copies of paper files of something you want electronically, and get charged $0.50 to $1.00 a page for a 600 report and 200 pages of triple spaced emails. And if its electric files you may get charged $100 for a flash drive with the files.
This post was edited on 1/6/25 at 2:02 pm
Posted on 1/6/25 at 2:04 pm to sidewalkside
I was quoted half a million dollars for my request. That killed it.
Posted on 1/6/25 at 2:04 pm to sidewalkside
quote:No, Under 15 USC § 350, FOIA Requests are restricted to the following classes:
Can any average joe off the street make a FOIA request?
A. Active Duty Armed Forces Personnel holding a General Officer Rank
B. Federal Employees with Top Secret or greater Security clearance
C. Members of the South Lafourche Levee District
D. Residents of El Cid
E. Chicken or his Admins
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