People living outside Jersey could be charged to submit Freedom-of-Information requests under proposals being considered as part of a major review of the island’s transparency laws.

A government report examining the future of the Freedom of Information (Jersey) Law 2011 suggests introducing a “processing charge for non-resident FOI requests” to help offset costs.

The proposal forms part of a package of recommendations aimed at updating the law and improving how requests are handled across government departments.

According to the report, ministers are being urged to “explore the feasibility and operational viability of introducing a processing charge for non-resident FOI requests”.

The move could “help to offset the costs associated with processing such requests and reduce the financial burden on both the public and the Scheduled Public Authorities”.

The review was launched in 2025 to assess how the FOI framework could be modernised while managing growing demand.

According to the report, government departments collectively deal with more than 1,000 requests each year.

Assistant Chief Minister Malcolm Ferey said the work aimed to “strengthen and modernise the law, ensuring that it remains fit for purpose in a rapidly changing world”.

While the law has strengthened transparency since its rollout in 2015, the report acknowledges it has faced criticism for its limited scope and for occasions where politically sensitive information has been withheld.

Alongside the potential introduction of non-resident charges, the review outlines several other changes being considered.

One recommendation is to strengthen rules dealing with vexatious or repeated requests by amending the law to allow authorities to deal with such requests more consistently.

The report also proposes widening the law’s reach through a phased approach that could eventually bring more organisations under FOI rules – beginning with States-owned entities.

However, the report warned that any extension must be carefully managed to avoid “administrative and financial burden,” particularly for smaller organisations.

Another key suggestion is the introduction of clearer publication requirements so that government bodies routinely release more information without the need for formal requests.

Deputy Ferey said the review aims to ensure the island’s transparency laws keep pace with modern government.

“We should focus first on getting the system working as efficiently and effectively as possible – including exploring opportunities to strengthen exemptions and the vexatiousness process, and to allow for charging of non-local FOI requesters,” he said.

The review also highlights plans to introduce a new digital FOI portal and a central knowledge library to help streamline responses and improve consistency across government departments.

Deputy Ferey added that the next Council of Ministers would now consider the report’s recommendations.