Groups to Legislature: Make NY Sunshine Week a Bright Spot Amidst Government Secrecy and Abuse of Power

March 18, 2026

Pass Four Bills Strengthening NYS Freedom of Information Law

New York and national transparency advocates are rallying in Albany this Sunshine Week, thanking the Senate and Assembly for moving important FOIL legislation last year and asking them to keep up the momentum. Along with fair elections, government transparency, and the rule of law are the basic underpinnings of a healthy American democracy. Here in New York, we have a chance to strengthen our Freedom of Information Law and be a bright spot contrasting with darkening national skies of authoritarianism, secrecy, and the arbitrary exercise of power.

The groups asked the Legislature to please pass these four bills in each house for Sunshine Week 2026:

Report FOIL Activity (S452 (Sponsor TBD) / A2321 (McDonald)) – Passed the Assembly last session.
Strengthen FOIL Attorneys’ Fees (A950-A (Steck) / S1418-A (Liu)) – Passed the Senate last session.
Limit Commercial FOIL Exemption (S5000 (Sponsor TBD) / A1410 (Rosenthal)) – Passed the Assembly last session.
Reduce Agency FOIL Response Time (S2520 (Skoufis) / A3425 (Raga)) – Passed both houses, vetoed by Governor.

List of groups supporting FOIL reforms:

Reinvent Albany
Amnesty International USA
BetaNYC
Common Cause/NY
Earthjustice
Freedom of the Press Foundation
Legal Aid Society
The Media and Democracy Project
National Press Club Journalism Institute
New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU)
New York Coalition for Open Government
New York Public Interest Research Group
Radio Television Digital News Association
Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.)