Westlaw amendment in paperwork reduction act

[James Love <love@tap.org>]

As part of the republican's "contract," the House of Representatives is 
expected to introduce a new bill on the so called "paperwork reduction 
act" any day.  This bill, which is only available in draft (it hasn't 
been introduced and it is not available in thomas or the house gopher),
contains (as of yesterday), a provision reportedly inserted  for West 
Publishing what would severely limit the government's rights to 
disseminate or provide public access to databases such as the JURIS 
database.  This is reportedly in response to litigation under FOIA by Tax 
Analysts, which West is afraid it will lose.  However, the impact of the 
language appears to go quite a bit further than the TA/WEST FOIA case.

The bill will be referred to and marked up by the House Committee on 
Government Reform and Oversight (202/225-5075).  The staff person I was 
referred to was Kevin Sabo, who is chief counsel to the committee.  The 
subcommittee referral is to the subcommittee on national economic growth, 
natural resources and regulatory oversight (i think this is the correct 
title), telephone number 202-225-4407.  


   More later.  jamie




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James Love, TAP; internet:  love@tap.org
P.O. Box 19367, Washington, DC 20036; v. 202/387-8030; f. 202/234-5176
12 Church Road, Ardmore, PA 19003; v. 610/658-0880; f. 610/649-4066