NY A03140

Establishes a "freedom of information law and open meetings law review program" in the supreme court, allowing individuals to petition for review of denied FOIL requests or alleged open meetings law violations after exhausting administrative appeals

Requires a $50 filing fee for petitions, which must be filed within 30 days of receiving an agency appeal determination or committee on open government opinion

Creates a panel of hearing officers appointed by the chief administrator of the courts who need not be attorneys but must have knowledge of FOIL and open meetings law, compensated at least $100 per hearing

Mandates hearings be held within 45 days of petition filing, conducted virtually/remotely where practicable, with informal procedures that do not require petitioners to have attorneys or present expert witnesses

Places the burden of proof on agencies or public bodies to justify withholding information or charging fees, with hearing officers required to issue written decisions within 30 days of the hearing's conclusion