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Memo 13589MemorandumObama · D Quiet signal

Presidential Memorandum 13589

Managing Government Records

This memorandum launches an executive branch-wide effort to modernize federal records management for the digital age, requiring agencies to designate senior officials and submit reform plans within 120 days. The OMB Director and National Archivist must then issue a binding directive to transition agencies from paper-based to electronic records management and improve government transparency and efficiency.

Federal Register Open PDF 76 FR 75423

Impact dates

  1. OMB Director and Archivist issue Records Management Directive

  2. Archivist presents review results to President to facilitate potential legal updates

  3. Agency heads submit reports to Archivist and OMB Director

  4. Agency heads designate senior official in writing to Archivist

Key directives

  • Agency heads must prioritize records management implementation for senior management
  • Agency heads must allocate proper resources for records management requirements
  • Agency heads must designate in writing a senior official to supervise review within 30 days
  • Agency heads must submit report on records management plans, obstacles, and needed policies within 120 days
  • OMB Director and Archivist must issue Records Management Directive within 120 days of report deadline
  • Archivist must review statutes and regulations and present reform opportunities to President by directive issuance date
  • Directive must direct transition from paper-based to electronic records management where feasible

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Agency heads must designate senior official to supervise records management review within 30 days

Near term (90d)

  • Agency heads must submit reports on current records management plans and obstacles to Archivist and OMB Director by March 27, 2012 (120 days)
  • Archivist, OMB Director, and Associate Attorney General must issue Records Management Directive by July 25, 2012 (120 days after report deadline)

Long term

  • Transition from paper-based to electronic records management where feasible
  • Implementation of government-wide records management framework
  • Potential updates to laws and regulations governing federal records management

Risks & tensions

  • Subject to availability of appropriations may limit implementation
  • Vague 'where feasible' qualifier on electronic transition may weaken enforcement
  • Coordination burden across multiple senior officials (CIO, General Counsel, Records Officer) could delay action
  • Potential tension between transparency goals and litigation preservation requirements
Presidential Memorandum 13589: Managing Government Records · Executive Orders