• Records created after Nov. 1, 1996, and made "available for public inspection and copying" under FOIA, must be accessible electronically;

• Agencies must provide records in the readily reproducible format requested;

• Agencies must provide an index to, and copies of, prior released FOIA records that have been or will likely be the subject of additional requests. The index must be accessible online in three years.

Reduced delays in federal agency responses to FOIA requests:

• Routine agency backlogs will not warrant extensions of time to respond to FOIA requests, unless the agency demonstrates progress in reducing any backlog;

• Permits expedited access in "compelling need" circumstances where failure to obtain the records would threaten a person's life or safety or where, in the case of a request made by a person primarily engaged in disseminating information, there is urgency to inform the public concerning actual or alleged federal government activity;

• Permits multi-track processing of FOIA requests;

• Doubles time limit for responding to FOIA requests to 20 days; and

• In unusual circumstances involving particularly large or complex FOIA requests, agencies and requesters are encouraged to discuss reasonable limits to the request so that it can be processed within statutory time limits or so that agreement can be reached on a reasonable time frame for processing.