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Judicial FOIA Expansion Act

USA119th CongressHR-9778| House 
| Updated: 7/20/2026
Daniel S. Goldman

Daniel S. Goldman

Democratic Representative

New York

Cosponsors (4)
Delia C. Ramirez (Democratic)Henry C. "Hank" Johnson (Democratic)Sydney Kamlager-Dove (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)

Oversight and Government Reform Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation aims to significantly increase transparency within the federal judiciary by applying the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act to most courts and judicial entities. It broadens the definition of "agency" under these acts to include the Supreme Court, appellate and district courts, the Administrative Office, and other related bodies, though it specifically excludes the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. The bill mandates public access to various judicial records, including attorney disciplinary proceedings (excluding deliberations), complaints and investigations against judges or court personnel, and judge performance reports . It also requires the release of Federal Judicial Conference meeting details, Federal Judicial Center research, and completed jury selection forms, with all released information needing to be machine-readable . Exemptions are provided for ongoing cases and information not possessed by the courts, and the Attorney General will represent courts in related legal claims. To support these changes, the bill authorizes $10 million for fiscal year 2027, including funds for a new office within the Administrative Office of the United States Courts.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-9108
Judicial FOIA Expansion Act
Jul 20, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-5033
Introduced in Senate
Jul 20, 2026
Introduced in House
Jul 20, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-9108
    Judicial FOIA Expansion Act


  • July 20, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-5033
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 20, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • July 20, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Law

Related Bills

  • S 119-5033: Judicial FOIA Expansion Act

Judicial FOIA Expansion Act

USA119th CongressHR-9778| House 
| Updated: 7/20/2026
This legislation aims to significantly increase transparency within the federal judiciary by applying the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Privacy Act to most courts and judicial entities. It broadens the definition of "agency" under these acts to include the Supreme Court, appellate and district courts, the Administrative Office, and other related bodies, though it specifically excludes the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. The bill mandates public access to various judicial records, including attorney disciplinary proceedings (excluding deliberations), complaints and investigations against judges or court personnel, and judge performance reports . It also requires the release of Federal Judicial Conference meeting details, Federal Judicial Center research, and completed jury selection forms, with all released information needing to be machine-readable . Exemptions are provided for ongoing cases and information not possessed by the courts, and the Attorney General will represent courts in related legal claims. To support these changes, the bill authorizes $10 million for fiscal year 2027, including funds for a new office within the Administrative Office of the United States Courts.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-9108
Judicial FOIA Expansion Act
Jul 20, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-5033
Introduced in Senate
Jul 20, 2026
Introduced in House
Jul 20, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-9108
    Judicial FOIA Expansion Act


  • July 20, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-5033
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 20, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • July 20, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Daniel S. Goldman

Daniel S. Goldman

Democratic Representative

New York

Cosponsors (4)
Delia C. Ramirez (Democratic)Henry C. "Hank" Johnson (Democratic)Sydney Kamlager-Dove (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)

Oversight and Government Reform Committee

Law

Related Bills

  • S 119-5033: Judicial FOIA Expansion Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted