No Changes Recommended to Freedom of Information Act Exemption Included in the Amended Federal Reserve Act

Appendix B: FOIA Exemptions

Under FOIA, the following records of federal agencies may be exempt from disclosure:

1. National defense. Any information that is specifically authorized under criteria established by an executive order to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or foreign policy and is in fact properly classified pursuant to the executive order.
2. Internal personnel rules and practices. Any information related solely to the internal personnel rules and practices of the Agency.
3. Statutory exemption. Any information specifically exempted from disclosure by statute (other than 5 U.S.C. 552b), if the statute (a) requires that the matters be withheld from the public in such a manner as to leave no discretion on the issue or (b) establishes particular criteria for withholding or refers to particular types of matters to be withheld.
4. Trade secrets; commercial or financial information. Any matter that is a trade secret or that constitutes commercial or financial information obtained from a person and that is privileged or confidential.
5. Inter- or intra-agency memorandums. Information contained in inter- or intra-agency memorandums or letters that would not be available by law to a party (other than an agency) in litigation with an agency.
6. Personnel and medical files. Any information contained in personnel and medical files and similar files the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.
7. Information compiled for law enforcement purposes. Any records or information compiled for law enforcement purposes, but only to the extent that the production of such law enforcement records or information (a) could reasonably be expected to interfere with enforcement proceedings; (b) would deprive a person of a right to a fair trial or an impartial adjudication; (c) could reasonably be expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy; (d) could reasonably be expected to disclose the identity of a confidential source, including a state, local, or foreign agency or authority or any private institution that furnished information on a confidential basis; (e) would disclose techniques and procedures for law enforcement investigations or prosecutions or would disclose guidelines for law enforcement investigations or prosecutions if such disclosure could reasonably be expected to risk circumvention of the law; or (f) could reasonably be expected to endanger the life or physical safety of any individual.
8. Examination, inspection, operating, or condition reports, and confidential supervisory information. Any matter that is contained in or related to examination, operating, or condition reports prepared by, on behalf of, or for the use of an agency responsible for the regulation or supervision of financial institutions, including a state financial institution supervisory agency.
9. Geological and geophysical information and data, including maps concerning wells.