This bill aims to streamline the classification and declassification of government national security information. It requires federal agencies to automatically review classified documents older than 25 years when processing Freedom of Information Act requests and declassify them unless agency heads certify to Congress that release would harm national security sources and methods. The legislation also mandates training programs for government employees with classification authority to prevent over-classification, expands the Public Interest Declassification Board's staffing capacity to up to 12 employees, and requires the government to research technology solutions for more efficient classification and declassification systems across federal agencies within one year. Additionally, the bill directs various federal agencies including the Department of Defense, intelligence community, and Department of Energy to study and report to Congress within one year on whether they are granting security clearances to the minimum number of personnel necessary for their operations. The bill affects all federal agencies involved in classifying information, millions of federal employees and contractors with security clearances, and the general public seeking access to older government records.
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