# 2026-19448: Access Board Speeds Up FOIA Requests with New Tech-Friendly Rules 2026-19448, Revision of Freedom of Information Act Regulations, is a Federal Register rule from Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board published 2026-09-23, effective 2026-09-23; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-09-30). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19448 - As of: 2026-09-30 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Document number: 2026-19448 - Title: Revision of Freedom of Information Act Regulations - Type: Rule - Agencies: Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board - Citation: 91 FR 60308 - Published: 2026-09-23 - Effective: 2026-09-23 - Comments close: not stated - Significant: no - Touches household money: yes - Regulation identifier numbers: 3014-AA51 - Last updated: 2026-09-30 ## In one line Access Board Speeds Up FOIA Requests with New Tech-Friendly Rules ## Summary The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board updated its Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) rules to make them clearer, faster, and tech-friendly. These changes affect anyone requesting info from the Board and follow new laws and Justice Department guidelines. The new rules kick in on September 23, 2026, with no extra costs for the public. ## Abstract The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board or Board) is issuing this final rule to update its regulations under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The Board replaces its existing FOIA regulations with this rule, which streamlines the language of several procedural provisions; updates procedures consistent with current technology; incorporates changes required by amendments to the FOIA under the OPEN Government Act of 2007 and the FOIA Improvement Act of 2016, and developments in case law; and conforms to Department of Justice guidelines for agency FOIA regulations. ## Effects PRIA read - 20‑Working‑Day Initial Response Rule: mixed, low. If you request records from the Access Board, the FOIA office will provide an initial response within 20 working days of receiving your request. That 20‑working‑day clock is tolled from the moment the agency asks you for more information until you provide it, and if you never provide sufficient inf… - Expedited Processing Only for 'Compelling Need': cost, low. The Board will grant expedited processing only when a requester demonstrates a "compelling need" as defined in 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(6)(E)(i): (i) imminent threat to life or physical safety, or (ii) an urgency to inform the public about government activity for a person primarily engaged in disseminating… - Fee Schedule Tied to Federal Pay Rates: cost, medium. If the Board charges search and review fees, it will calculate them using Washington, D.C. locality pay‑area hourly rates tied to federal pay grades: clerical/administrative at GS‑9/step 5, information technology at GS‑13/step 5 (listed earlier as $66.14/hr), professional/managerial at GS‑14/step 5… - Search Fee Exemptions for Research and News: benefit, medium. Search fees will not be charged for requests from educational institutions, noncommercial scientific institutions, or representatives of the news media when the request qualifies under those categories. Placement in the commercial‑use category is decided case‑by‑case based on the requester's intend… - Accessibility for Requesters with Disabilities: benefit, low. FOIA denial letters and requested records must be accessible under the Rehabilitation Act: official agency communications must comply with section 508 accessibility rules and requested records must be provided in an accessible format under section 504 upon request and based on the individual's spec… - 90‑Day Deadline to File an Administrative Appeal: mixed, low. If the Board issues an adverse FOIA determination, you may appeal in writing to the Chief FOIA Officer; appeals must be postmarked or transmitted within 90 calendar days after the response date to be timely. - Submitter Confidentiality Designations Limited to 10 Years: cost, low. If you submit commercial or financial information and designate it confidential, that designation expires 10 years after submission unless you request and justify a longer period. The agency will notify submitters and permit a written objection if the agency is considering disclosure under FOIA Exe… ## Related documents - [2026-15782](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-15782): Revision of Freedom of Information Act Regulations, 2026-08-04 - [2026-10508](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-10508): Proposed Renewal of Information Collection; OMB Control Number 3014-0012, Online Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) Complaint Form, 2026-05-27 - [2026-16773](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16773): Proposed Renewal of Information Collection; OMB Control Number 3014-2012; Online Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) Complaint Form, 2026-08-18 - [2026-03199](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-03199): Accessibility Standards for Universal Changing Stations, 2026-02-18 - [2025-21884](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-21884): Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission of Proposed Information Collection; Online Training Request Form for OMB Review, 2025-12-04 - [2025-21836](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-21836): Performance Review Board Membership, 2025-12-03 ## Sources - [2026-19448 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/23/2026-19448/revision-of-freedom-of-information-act-regulations) - [2026-19448 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-09-23/pdf/2026-19448.pdf) ## Related - [Previous: 2026-19429, Safety Zone; Zach's Bay, Wantagh, NY](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19429) - [Next: 2026-19456, Fisheries of the South Atlantic; 2026 South Atlantic Red Snapper Recreational F…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19456) - [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19448 (as of 2026-09-30).