Chaz Stevens, REVOLT

FOIA Fee Estimate: Ask for the Breakdown, Then Narrow

A records fee estimate is the agency’s opening number, set by whichever law covers it. Federal FOIA, 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(4)(A), limits fees to direct costs, gives non-commercial requesters their first two hours of search and first 100 pages free, and requires a public-interest fee waiver or reduction. States write their own fee rules. Ask for the breakdown, then narrow. …