2 New FOIA Requests Sent to FirstNet, NTIA, Commerce
Mission Critical Communications 09-26-17
Two new Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests were sent to the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Department of Commerce.
The first requests copies of all FirstNet state plans made available to U.S. governors last week, and the second covers the state plan portal terms of use including correspondence relating to the terms.
Kel McClanahan, executive director of National Security Counselors, filed the requests on behalf of his clients Stephen Whitaker and Dave Gram with VTDigger, an independent, investigative news organization covering Vermont. Earlier this month, FirstNet rejected a request for records from McClanahan related to FirstNet state plans, contracts with AT&T and other items, saying the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act exempts FirstNet from FOIA requirements.
Because there are deadlines for states to decide whether to opt in to the FirstNet nationwide public-safety broadband network, “this request should be granted expedited processing,” each request said.