The new tool allows members of the public to send Freedom of Information Act requests for government documents and receive them in a centralized location. Previously, record requests to the Department of State had to be sent by email, fax, mail or in-person.
The agency is also publishing some of its FOIA responses… and users will be able to search through previously released documents at no additional cost.
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson says her office is the first to make records available this way on the state level. She adds the portal will enhance transparency in state government.
The governor’s office and the state legislature remain exempt from records requests. Benson says she supports expanding state law to require the executive and legislative branches comply with FOIA requests.