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GGD-83-71 1 (1983-06-22)

handle is hein.gao/gaobabedk0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Acco ro'Tfo'- et to be refased Outslde the General 6y the Office Of c ..21S of specificCOJzr epb_ BY THE US. GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE Report To The Chairman, Subcommittee On The Constitution, Senate Committee On The Judiciary United States Senate Guidance Needed If Better Freedom Of Information Act Cost Reports Are Desired A precise determination of direct and in- direct costs of implementing the Freedom of Information Act is not possible because agencies generally lack detailed supporting records. Costs of over $61 million were identified mainly from agencies' 1981 an- nual reports. The reports vary widely in the ways costs are categorized and measured but provide an indicator of total cost. Inquir- ies at four agencies that have over 50 percent of the reported costs show they are attempting to capture most personnel costs, the largest category of costs incurred. Because available cost information is both incomplete and inconsistent, it has limited usefulness for decisionmakers. Previous studies by GAO, the Congressional Research Service, and the Department of Justice identified weaknesses in the reported costs and cited the lack of Government-wide reporting guidance as a contributing factor. The Office of Management and Budget is considering requiring agencies to report the costs of administering the act and providing them with detailed reporting guidance. If the proposal is implemented, the quality and value of future cost reports could improve. Z °GAO/GGD-83-71 JUNE 22, 1983

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