Knowledge of the FARs and AIM are required. There is no requirement
whatsoever
that you posess a written copy.

When did they change that? I was always told by my instructors that I had
to actually have a copy of the current FAR's in my possession. The AIM is
not required at all, but the catch to that is if I have an accident due to
something I overlooked that is discussed in the AIM, the NTSB can fault me
for that, but I was always told and I believe I actually read in the FAR's
that a current copy of the FAR's must be in the pilot's possession.

Of course I was also told that once you reach the DH, you cannot legally
descend below the DH unless you have at least the runway environment in
sight, but another pilot told me that is a grey area and the reason I was
told that is because the instructors want to keep me alive. He said "How
long does it take you to make a decision while you are on the glide slope?"
Yea, right. I took that with a grain of salt. If I reach the DH and I
can't see the lights, I'm going missed.