Strengthening Federal Records Oversight: Transparency and Digital Accountability.
This Act significantly tightens rules on managing and preserving Federal records, especially electronic communications, to enhance government transparency and accountability. It mandates that senior officials' electronic messages be treated as permanent records and requires all employees to certify compliance with record-keeping rules upon leaving service. Citizens benefit from greater public access to information on how long agencies retain their documents through searchable online schedules.
Key points
Stricter rules for private accounts: Federal employees must copy or forward work-related records from non-official accounts (including social media) to official accounts within 20 days.
Senior official emails are permanent: Electronic messages of high-ranking officials must be designated and stored as permanent records, easily accessible for retrieval.
Public transparency: Agencies must proactively disclose all records retention schedules in a public, searchable online database.
Mandatory certification: Every federal employee must certify compliance with record preservation requirements before separating from service.
Whistleblower protection: The new rules explicitly ensure that employees who disclose violations still receive whistleblower protections.
Expired
Citizen Poll