[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 45, Volume 1]
[Revised as of October 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 45CFR5.45]

[Page 25-26]
 
                        TITLE 45--PUBLIC WELFARE
 
                           AND HUMAN SERVICES
 
PART 5--FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REGULATIONS--Table of Contents
 
                             Subpart D--Fees
 
Sec. 5.45  Waiver or reduction of fees.

    (a) Standard. We will waive or reduce the fees we would otherwise 
charge if disclosure of the information meets both of the following 
tests:
    (1) It is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute 
significantly to public understanding of the operations or activities of 
the government, and
    (2) It is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester.
    These two tests are explained in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this 
section.
    (b) Public interest. The disclosure passes the first test only if it 
furthers the specific public interest of being likely to contribute 
significantly to public understanding of government operations or 
activities, regardless of any other public interest it may further. In 
analyzing this question, we will consider the following factors.
    (1) How, if at all, do the records to be disclosed pertain to the 
operations or activities of the Federal Government?
    (2) Would disclosure of the records reveal any meaningful 
information about government operations or activities? Can one learn 
from these records anything about such operations that is not already 
public knowledge?
    (3) Will the disclosure advance the understanding of the general 
public as distinguished from a narrow segment of interested persons? 
Under this factor we may consider whether the requester is in a position 
to contribute to public understanding. For example, we may consider 
whether the requester has such knowledge or expertise as may be 
necessary to understand the information, and whether the requester's 
intended use of the information would be likely to disseminate the 
information among the public. An unsupported claim to be doing research 
for a book or article does not demonstrate that likelihood, while such a 
claim by a representative of the news media is better evidence.
    (4) Will the contribution to public understanding be a significant 
one? Will the public's understanding of the government's operations be 
substantially greater as a result of the disclosure?
    (c) Not primarily in the requester's commercial interest. If the 
disclosure passes the test of furthering the specific public interest 
described in paragraph (b) of this section, we will determine whether it 
also furthers the requester's commercial interest and, if so, whether 
this effect outweighs the advancement of that public interest. In 
applying this second test, we will consider the following factors:
    (1) Would the disclosure further a commercial interest of the 
requester, or of someone on whose behalf the requester is acting? 
``Commercial interests'' include interests relating to business, trade, 
and profit. Not only profit-making corporations have commercial

[[Page 26]]

interests--so do nonprofit corporations, individuals, unions, and other 
associations. The interest of a representative of the news media in 
using the information for news dissemination purposes will not be 
considered a commercial interest.
    (2) If disclosure would further a commercial interest of the 
requester, would that effect outweigh the advancement of the public 
interest defined in paragraph (b) of this section? Which effect is 
primary?
    (d) Deciding between waiver and reduction. If the disclosure passes 
both tests, we will normally waive fees. However, in some cases we may 
decide only to reduce the fees. For example, we may do this when 
disclosure of some but not all of the requested records passes the 
tests.
    (e) Procedure for requesting a waiver or reduction. You must make 
your request for a waiver or reduction at the same time you make your 
request for records. You should explain why you believe a waiver or 
reduction is proper under the analysis in paragraphs (a) through (d) of 
this section. Only FOI Officers may make the decision whether to waive, 
or reduce, the fees. If we do not completely grant your request for a 
waiver or reduction, the denial letter will designate a review official. 
You may appeal the denial to that official. In your appeal letter, you 
should discuss whatever reasons are given in our denial letter. The 
process prescribed in Sec. 5.34(c) of this part will also apply to these 
appeals.