Access to Information

New York Senate Bill S09777 Proposes Periodic Renewal of FOIL Confidentiality Exemptions

New York Senate Bill S09777 proposes to end indefinite confidentiality for records submitted to state agencies by requiring entities to renew FOIL disclosure exemptions every three years. If enacted, businesses must implement rigorous tracking of confidentiality expiration dates to prevent sensitive commercial information from automatically entering the public domain.

9 Apr 2026, 14:22assembly.state.ny.usUnited States

Oregon Enacts HB 4102 on DEQ Expedited Regulatory Agreements

Oregon has enacted HB 4102, allowing the Department of Environmental Quality to enter into cost-recovery agreements to expedite permitting and regulatory determinations starting January 1, 2027. Regulated entities can now proactively fund additional agency capacity to accelerate project timelines, provided they meet public interest and transparency requirements.

4 Apr 2026, 10:29olis.oregonlegislature.govUnited States

Oregon Passes HB 4102 To Expand DEQ Expedited Regulatory Agreements

Oregon has enacted HB 4102, enabling businesses to fund expedited DEQ regulatory reviews and permitting processes starting January 1, 2027. This provides a strategic pathway to accelerate project timelines and bypass administrative backlogs by directly financing agency capacity or third-party contractors.

3 Apr 2026, 17:56olis.oregonlegislature.govUnited States

US House Introduces AI-Ready Bio-Data Standards Act (H.R. 7907)

The US House introduced the AI-Ready Bio-Data Standards Act to establish NIST-led standards for biological datasets used in artificial intelligence. Organizations in biotechnology and biomanufacturing should anticipate new data management and cybersecurity obligations that will likely become prerequisites for federal research funding and procurement.

1 Apr 2026, 14:15govinfo.govUnited States

Peru Adopts Citizen Participation Regulation for Environmental Evaluation of Housing, Construction and Sanitation Projects

Peru has established a new mandatory framework for citizen participation in environmental impact assessments for the housing, construction, and sanitation sectors, effective June 25, 2026. Project developers must now implement structured stakeholder engagement plans, including mandatory public hearings and culturally adapted mechanisms, to secure environmental permits and mitigate social risk.

29 Mar 2026, 17:04busquedas.elperuano.pePeru

South Korea MCEE Proposes KECI Amendment Disclosing 136 Existing Chemicals

South Korea has proposed disclosing the identity of 136 existing chemicals in the KECI following the expiration of their confidential business information (CBI) protection. Companies must verify if their substances are affected and prepare to update K-REACH registrations, safety data sheets (SDS), and labels to ensure continued compliance.

29 Mar 2026, 05:33resource.chemlinked.com.cnSouth Korea

Washington DOH Adopts Updated Consumer Confidence Report Rules for Group A Public Water Systems

Washington State has adopted revised drinking water reporting rules to align with federal standards, introducing stricter disclosure requirements for public water systems. Impacted operators must update data workflows and communication strategies to manage biannual reporting and enhanced transparency for contaminants including PFAS and lead.

28 Mar 2026, 16:37doh.wa.govUnited States

US EPA Seeks Comment on Renewal of TSCA CBI Access ICR

The US EPA is renewing the procedural framework for authorized government and medical professional access to TSCA Confidential Business Information (CBI). This renewal maintains existing mechanisms for sensitive data disclosure during health or environmental emergencies without imposing new reporting burdens on manufacturers.

27 Mar 2026, 18:17govinfo.govUnited States

EU General Court Partially Annuls Commission Decision On Access To Mancozeb And Cypermethrin Documents

The EU General Court has partially annulled a Commission decision to withhold documents regarding the approval status of mancozeb and cypermethrin, ruling that Member State voting records and positions in comitology committees must generally be public. This judgment increases transparency in the pesticide approval process, making it harder for the Commission to shield Member State deliberations from public and NGO scrutiny during substance renewals.

27 Mar 2026, 08:25eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

Netherlands Court Clarifies Woo Emission-Related Animal Data Cannot Be Withheld for Security (ECLI:NL:RBNNE:2026:889)

A Dutch court has ruled that livestock operational data qualifies as emission-related environmental information, mandating public disclosure under the Open Government Act (Woo). This precedent significantly restricts the use of security or sabotage exemptions to protect operational data, increasing transparency risks for facilities with environmental impacts.

26 Mar 2026, 19:26deeplink.rechtspraak.nlNetherlands

Slovakia: Consultation on Draft Sixth Aarhus Convention Implementation Report

Slovakia has opened a public consultation on its draft Sixth Aarhus Convention implementation report, detailing the national framework for environmental transparency and public participation. The report signals a continued focus on strengthening environmental governance and EIA procedures, influencing future stakeholder engagement expectations and litigation risks for industrial projects.

25 Mar 2026, 21:44minzp.skSlovakia

Lithuania Environment Minister Adopts Order D1-219 Updating EIA Procedures And Public Participation

Lithuania has overhauled its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedures via Order D1-219, effective January 1, 2026. Project developers face stricter digital submission standards, formalized hybrid public consultation requirements, and updated cross-border notification protocols for industrial and infrastructure projects.

24 Mar 2026, 12:55e-tar.ltLithuania

California Assembly Amends AB 2722 On Machine-Readable Environmental Data

California is advancing AB 2722 to mandate that state agencies publish environmental and Proposition 65 data in standardized, machine-readable formats. This shift will significantly increase the accessibility of compliance and enforcement records, likely intensifying public scrutiny and third-party monitoring of corporate environmental performance.

23 Mar 2026, 14:32leginfo.legislature.ca.govUnited States

Minnesota House Committee Adopts Amendments to HF 3782 on Chemical Irritant Disclosure

Minnesota’s HF 3782, requiring law enforcement to disclose the use of chemical irritants in buildings, has advanced to the House floor following committee approval. The bill signals a shift toward greater transparency and accountability for chemical deployments, necessitating improved incident reporting and indoor air quality assessments for affected facilities.

21 Mar 2026, 15:50house.mn.govUnited States

European Ombudsman Sets Out Transparency And AI Oversight Priorities In Brussels Speech

The European Ombudsman has signaled increased scrutiny over EU administrative transparency, the use of "urgent" legislative procedures, and the implementation of AI oversight standards. Businesses should anticipate more rigorous enforcement of access-to-information rules and a more disciplined, evidence-based approach to fast-tracked EU legislation and AI governance.

21 Mar 2026, 15:48ombudsman.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Ombudsman Outlines Transparency and AI Oversight Priorities

The European Ombudsman has signaled intensified oversight of EU transparency and AI Act implementation, targeting administrative delays and the development of AI standards. This indicates a shift toward greater public access to regulatory files and increased scrutiny of the technical standards and energy reporting used to demonstrate AI compliance.

21 Mar 2026, 15:48ombudsman.europa.euEuropean Union

Minnesota Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee Hearing on SF 4144 Chemical Irritant Disclosure in Buildings

Minnesota is advancing legislation (SF 4144) that mandates the disclosure of chemical irritants and distraction devices deployed by law enforcement within buildings. This requirement will facilitate more accurate remediation and insurance assessments by providing property owners with specific data on indoor chemical exposure.

20 Mar 2026, 16:48revisor.mn.govUnited States

European Ombudsman Upholds Commission Refusal to Disclose Strategic Project Application Under Critical Raw Materials Act

The European Ombudsman has upheld the Commission's decision to withhold confidential business data from failed "strategic project" applications under the Critical Raw Materials Act. This reinforces the protection of sensitive commercial and technical information for CRMA applicants, providing greater certainty for companies navigating the strategic project recognition process.

18 Mar 2026, 16:11ombudsman.europa.euEuropean Union

New Hampshire: Initial Proposal for Lab 1800 Health Care Workplace Violence Prevention Program (2026-62)

New Hampshire proposed mandatory reporting and confidentiality rules for healthcare workplace violence incidents under the new Lab 1800 framework. Impacted facilities must prepare for rigorous monthly reporting cycles and ensure data management systems meet strict confidentiality standards.

14 Mar 2026, 13:55gc.nh.govUnited States

China MEE Issues Public Notice on EIA for Thorium-Based Molten Salt Reactor Research Facility

China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment has opened the public notice period for the site-selection environmental impact assessment of a thorium-based molten salt reactor facility through March 25, 2026. This move signals a strategic regulatory advancement for small modular reactor (SMR) technology, indicating a clear path toward diversifying nuclear energy infrastructure and future commercial deployment.

13 Mar 2026, 17:26mee.gov.cnChina