Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2008: Amendments to Program Regulations, 71513-71530 [2012-29133]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 232 (Monday, December 3, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 71513-71530]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-29133]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

24 CFR Part 1000

[Docket No. FR-5275-F-13]
RIN 2577-AC80


Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination 
Reauthorization Act of 2008: Amendments to Program Regulations

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian 
Housing, HUD.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This final rule revises the regulations governing the Indian 
Housing Block Grant (IHBG) program and the Title VI Loan Guarantee 
program. HUD negotiated this rule with active tribal participation 
under the procedures of the Negotiated Rulemaking Act of 1990, pursuant 
to the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination 
Reauthorization Act of 2008. These regulatory changes implement 
statutory amendments and reflect the consensus decisions reached by HUD 
and the tribal representatives.

DATES: Effective Date: January 2, 2013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rodger J. Boyd, Deputy Assistant 
Secretary for Native American Programs, Office of Public and Indian 
Housing, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street 
SW., Room 4126, Washington, DC 20410; telephone number 202-401-7914 
(this is not a toll-free number). Hearing- or speech-impaired 
individuals may access this number via TTY by calling the toll-free 
Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Executive Summary

A. Purpose of the Regulatory Action

    This final rule implements a number of amendments to the statutory 
requirements governing HUD's IHBG and Title VI Loan Guarantee programs 
under the Native American Housing Assistance Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 
4101 et seq.). Specifically, it focuses on implementing provisions of 
the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-

[[Page 71514]]

Determination Reauthorization Act of 2008 (Pub. L. 110-411, approved 
October 14, 2008) (NAHASDA Reauthorization Act or 2008 Reauthorization 
Act). The NAHASDA Reauthorization Act reauthorizes the Native American 
Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4101 
et seq.) (NAHASDA) through September 30, 2013, and makes a number of 
amendments to the statutory requirements governing HUD's IHBG and Title 
VI Loan Guarantee programs. Among other changes, the NAHASDA 
Reauthorization Act amends section 106 of NAHASDA to provide that HUD 
shall initiate a negotiated rulemaking in order to implement provisions 
of the 2008 Reauthorization Act that require rulemaking. The rule also 
implements statutory changes to NAHASDA made by several laws enacted 
between 1998 and 2005.\1\ After establishing the NAHASDA Negotiated 
Rulemaking Committee (Committee), and with the full and active 
participation of the Tribal representation on the Committee, HUD and 
the Committee published a proposed rule on November 18, 2011 (76 FR 
71474), which reflected the consensus decision of the Committee. This 
final rule takes into consideration the public comments on the proposed 
rule and, as discussed in this preamble, makes some changes to the 
November 18, 2011, proposed rule. This final rule reflects the 
consensus decisions reached by HUD and the Committee.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban 
Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999) 
(Pub. L. 105-276, approved October 21, 1998); Omnibus Indian 
Advancement Act (Pub. L.106-568, approved December 27, 2000); Native 
American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Reauthorization 
Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-292, approved November 13, 2002); 
Homeownership Opportunities for Native Americans Act of 2004, (Pub. 
L. 108-393, approved October 30, 2004); Native American Housing 
Enhancement Act of 2005(Pub. L. 109-136, approved December 22, 
2005); and Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Pub. L. 109-58, approved 
August 8, 2005).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

B. Summary of Major Provisions of the Regulatory Action

    This final rule would amend HUD's regulations by implementing 
statutory amendments to NAHASDA. The rule amends the regulations under 
subpart A of 24 CFR part 1000 regarding the guiding principles of 
NAHASDA, definitions, labor standards, environmental review procedures, 
procurement, tribal and Indian preference, and program income. The rule 
also amends subpart B of 24 CFR part 1000, which addresses eligible 
families, useful life of properties, and criminal conviction records, 
and subpart C of 24 CFR part 1000, which addresses the tribal program 
year, Indian Housing Plan (IHP) requirements, administrative and 
planning expenses, reserve accounts, local cooperation agreements, and 
exemption from taxation. Changes to subpart D of part 1000 address 
certain formula information that must be included in the IHP and Annual 
Performance Report (APR), as well as the date by which HUD must provide 
data used for the formula and projected allocation to a tribe or 
Tribally Designated Housing Entity (TDHE). The final rule amends 
subpart E of 24 CFR part 1000, which addresses financing guarantees, 
and subpart F of 24 CFR part 1000, which addresses HUD monitoring, 
APRs, APR review, HUD performance measures, recipient comments on HUD 
reports, remedial actions in the event of substantial noncompliance, 
audits, submission of audit reports, and records retention.

C. Costs and Benefits

    This rule implements the NAHASDA Reauthorization Act, but does not 
directly address those provisions that affect the NAHASDA allocation 
formula, subpart D of 24 CFR part 1000. In implementing these 
provisions of the NAHASDA Reauthorization Act, this rule does not 
impose any significant additional costs on Indian tribes, tribal and 
regional housing authorities, or TDHEs. It provides tribes greater 
flexibility in administering of their IHBG and Title VI Loan programs 
and reduces administrative costs by, for example, exempting 
procurements of goods and services with a value of less than $5000 from 
competitive requirements and permitting recipients to use Federal 
supply sources made available by the General Services Administration. 
Accordingly, HUD has determined that this rule is not an economically 
significant regulatory action.

II. Background

    NAHASDA reorganized and simplified HUD's system of housing 
assistance to Native Americans by eliminating several separate HUD 
programs and replacing them with a single block grant program, made 
directly to tribes, known as the IHBG. Title VI of NAHASDA also 
authorizes federal guarantees for the financing of certain tribal 
activities (under the Title VI Loan Guarantee Program). HUD's 
regulations governing the IHBG and Title VI Loan Guarantee programs are 
located in 24 CFR part 1000. In accordance with section 106 of NAHASDA, 
HUD developed the regulations with active tribal participation under 
the procedures of the Negotiated Rulemaking Act of 1990 (5 U.S.C. 561-
570).
    Under the IHBG program, HUD makes assistance available to eligible 
Indian tribes for affordable housing activities. The amount of 
assistance made available to each Indian tribe is determined using a 
formula that was developed as part of the NAHASDA negotiated rulemaking 
process (IHBG Formula). Based on the amount of funding appropriated 
annually for the IHBG program, HUD calculates the annual grant for each 
Indian tribe and provides this information to the Indian tribes. An IHP 
for the Indian tribe is then submitted to HUD. If the IHP is found to 
be in compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, the grant 
is made.
    Under the Title VI Loan Guarantee program, HUD guarantees 
obligations issued by tribes or TDHEs, with tribal approval, to finance 
eligible affordable housing activities under Section 202 of NAHASDA and 
housing-related community development activities consistent with the 
purposes of NAHASDA. No guarantee can be approved if the total 
outstanding obligations exceed five times the amount of the grant for 
the issuer, taking into consideration the amount needed to maintain and 
protect the viability of housing developed or operated pursuant to the 
U.S. Housing Act of 1937. The program requires issuers to pledge 
current and future IHBG appropriations to the repayment of the 
guaranteed obligations. The full faith and credit of the United States 
is pledged to the payment of all guarantees.
    The NAHASDA Reauthorization Act reauthorizes NAHASDA through 
September 30, 2013, and makes a number of amendments to the statutory 
requirements governing the IHBG and Title VI Loan Guarantee programs. 
Among other changes, the NAHASDA Reauthorization Act amends section 106 
of NAHASDA to require that HUD establish a negotiated rulemaking 
committee, in accordance with the procedures of the Negotiated 
Rulemaking Act of 1990 (5 U.S.C. 561-570) to implement aspects of the 
2008 Reauthorization Act that require rulemaking. On January 12, 2009 
(74 FR 1227), as required by section 106 of NAHASDA, HUD announced its 
intention to establish a Negotiated Rulemaking Committee to develop the 
regulatory changes to the IHBG and Title VI Loan Guarantee programs. On 
September 23, 2009 (74 FR 48584), after taking nominations for 
membership on the committee, HUD published

[[Page 71515]]

membership on the Committee reflecting a balanced representation of 
Indian tribes.
    The NAHASDA Rulemaking Committee convened for one 2-day meeting and 
five 3-day meetings in Scottsdale, Arizona; Westminster, Colorado; 
Seattle, Washington; and St. Paul, Minnesota, from March to August 
2010. Under the terms of the charter approved by the Committee, the 
negotiations were to focus on implementation of NAHASDA, as amended, 
except that subpart D of 24 CFR part 1000, which governs the NAHASDA 
allocation formula, was generally to be excluded from the negotiations. 
(The committee nonetheless agreed by consensus to make minor revisions 
to regulations in subpart D in order to address issues that primarily 
involved provisions under subpart C.) With the full and active 
participation of the Tribes, HUD and the Committee published a proposed 
rule on November 18, 2011 (76 FR 71474). The November 18, 2011, 
proposed rule reflected the consensus decisions of HUD and the Tribal 
representatives. The NAHASDA Rulemaking Committee convened for a 2-day 
meeting in Washington, DC, on May 1-2, 2012, to review and consider 
public comments received on the proposed rule. This final rule takes 
into consideration the public comments on the proposed rule, and makes 
some changes, based on the public comments, to the November 18, 2011, 
proposed rule. It also reflects the consensus decisions reached by HUD 
and the Committee.

III. Changes and Clarifications Made in This Final Rule

    This final rule follows publication of the November 18, 2011, 
proposed rule and takes into consideration the public comments received 
on the proposed rule. In response to public comment, a discussion of 
which is presented in the following section of this preamble, and in 
further consideration of issues addressed at the proposed rule stage, 
HUD and the Committee are making the following changes at this final 
rule stage and clarifying or correcting portions of the preamble to the 
November 18, 2011, proposed rule:
     HUD and the Committee are revising Sec.  1000.16, which 
addresses labor standards, to accurately reflect the intent of the 
Committee during the negotiated rulemaking sessions held in 
Westminster, Colorado; specifically, that construction and development 
contracts are not subject to the prevailing wage provisions referenced 
in NAHASDA section 104(b)(1) if the contracts are subject to Tribal 
laws that require payment of not less than prevailing wages, as 
determined by the Indian tribe. HUD is also clarifying that operations 
and maintenance contracts and work performed by the TDHE and Tribal 
employees directly are excluded from Davis-Bacon and HUD wage rates 
where a Tribal wage provision that requires not less than prevailing 
wage rates is in existence. In making these changes, HUD also agrees 
that the preamble of the November 18, 2011, proposed rule incorrectly 
describes this change as one that did not reach consensus and, 
accordingly corrects that preamble to reflect otherwise.
     HUD and the Committee are revising Sec.  1000.503(a) to 
more accurately describe the assessment factors that determine the 
frequency and level of monitoring recipients. Specifically, HUD and the 
Committee are revising paragraphs (a)(4), (a)(5) and (a)(6) of Sec.  
1000.503 to specifically reference Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) Circular A-133. This revision is based on the parties' 
understanding during the negotiated rulemaking sessions leading to the 
development of the proposed rule that the delinquent audits included in 
HUD's risk assessment were delinquent OMB Circular A-133 audits. In 
addition, to reflect existing practice that considers open Inspector 
General audit findings as a risk assessment factor, HUD and the 
Committee are revising Sec.  1000.503(a)(4) to reference open Inspector 
General audit findings.
     HUD and the Committee are revising Sec.  1000.503(b) to 
address a perceived grammatical problem and bring greater clarity to 
the paragraph.
     While not changing HUD regulatory text of Sec.  
1000.532(a), HUD and the Committee are clarifying the description of 
this section in this final rule. Specifically, rather than covering 
``significant noncompliance with a major activity of a recipient's 
IHP,'' as described in the proposed rule, Sec.  1000.532 is clarified 
to provide that it applies to several categories of ``substantial 
noncompliance'' as that term is defined in Sec.  1000.534.

IV. The Public Comments

    The public comment period for the November 18, 2011, proposed rule 
closed on January 17, 2012, and HUD received 20 public comments, 
including one duplicate, on the proposed rule. Comments were submitted 
by federally recognized Indian tribes, tribal and regional housing 
authorities, TDHEs, associations comprised of tribes, a law office, a 
nonprofit devoted to issues of race and ethnicity, and a member of the 
public. On May 1 and 2, 2012, the Committee met in Washington, DC, to 
review and consider responses to the public comments. This section of 
the preamble addresses the significant issues raised in the public 
comments and organizes the comments by subject category, with a brief 
description of the issue, followed by the Committee's response. For the 
convenience of readers, the discussion of the public comments is 
organized into three sections. The first section discusses the general 
comments that were received on the proposed rule. The second section 
discusses the public comments received on specific proposed regulatory 
changes contained in the proposed rule. The third section discusses the 
public comments received on nonconsensus issues (i.e., those issues on 
which the Committee could not reach agreement on proposed regulatory 
language).

A. General Comments

    Issue: Tribal and Indian preferences, generally. One commenter 
stated that unless there is an explicit statutory mandate to do so, 
there should be no preferences given on the basis of ``Indian'' 
(racial) as opposed to ``tribal'' (political) status. The commenter 
cited Morton v. Mancari to support this comment. The commenter stated 
that the former is a racial classification and, therefore, triggers 
strict scrutiny and is presumptively unconstitutional. Adarand 
Constructors, Inc. v. Pena and Personnel Administrator v. Feeney.
    Response: The commenter stated that ``unless there is an explicit 
statutory mandate to do so, there should be no preferences given on the 
basis of `Indian' (racial) as opposed to `tribal' (political) status,'' 
asserting that ``the former is a racial classification and, therefore, 
triggers strict scrutiny and is presumptively unconstitutional.'' The 
commenter references the United States Supreme Court's decision in 
Morton v Mancari, 417 U.S. 535 (1974), in support of this comment. The 
Committee notes that there is a mandate to use Indian preference under 
NAHASDA, both in providing affordable housing and in hiring and 
contracting. 25 U.S.C. 4101, 4111, 4131. Further, the Committee notes 
that Morton, contrary to the commenter's assertion, expressly found 
that, ``Indian'' preference is not a racial categorization, but is 
rather a political one and that, therefore, the use of Indian 
preference does not trigger strict scrutiny review under the 
Constitution's equal protection clause. 417 U.S. 535, 554-555. As a 
result, the Committee decided not to revise any provisions providing 
Indian or tribal preference in this final rule.

[[Page 71516]]

    Issue: Lack of timeliness in issuing regulations. Several 
commenters expressed their concern that HUD is only now promulgating 
regulations to implement provisions that were enacted through the 
NAHASDA. The commenters stated that it is imperative that HUD be 
timelier in proposing future regulations.
    Response: HUD recognizes the concern raised by the commenters and 
is committed to working more timely in proposing future regulations.

B. Comments on Specific Proposed Regulatory Changes

    Issue: Initiation of rulemaking; providing for periodic review 
(Sec.  1000.9(b)). Several commenters, citing section 106(b)(2)(D) of 
NAHASDA, as amended, stated that the proposed rule provides a mechanism 
for initiating rulemaking when NAHASDA is amended, but does not provide 
a mechanism for initiating the periodic review of the regulations as 
required by this section of NAHASDA.
    Response: The Committee considered the comments and determined that 
no change is required to Sec.  1000.9(b) as published in the proposed 
rule.
    Issue: Initiation of rulemaking; clarifying actions that 
``significantly'' amend NAHASDA (Sec.  1000.9(b)). Several commenters 
recommended that HUD clarify the standard used when determining whether 
an enactment has ``significantly'' amended NAHASDA. The commenters 
stated that without such clarification, HUD would retain too much 
discretion to determine when negotiated rulemaking is called for. The 
commenters recommended that HUD define ``significantly'' as ``any 
enactment that has the effect of altering the rights, privileges, 
duties, or responsibilities of the Secretary, Tribes, or TDHEs, that 
changes any aspect of the funding allocation mechanism under the 
statute, or that changes any procedure.'' Several other commenters 
agreed and opined that had HUD initiated negotiated rulemaking in 2002, 
many of the accounting issues facing tribes and TDHEs would not have 
been necessary.
    Response: The Committee considered these comments and did not reach 
consensus on revising Sec.  1000.9(b) as published in the propose rule. 
Tribal representatives stated that defining ``significantly'' would 
provide more clarity and certainty regarding when negotiated rulemaking 
was required rather than leaving the decision entirely within HUD's 
discretion. HUD's position was that Sec.  1000.9(b) was intended to 
provide HUD the flexibility to quickly respond to minor changes or 
technical changes to NAHASDA without first having to establish a 
negotiated rulemaking committee, a process that may take considerable 
time and resources. HUD asserted that defining ``significantly'' as 
recommended by the commenters or removing the word ``significantly'' 
from Sec.  1000.9(b) would be difficult and likely result in the 
delayed implementation of amendments to NAHASDA to the detriment of 
both HUD and the Tribes. As a result, the Committee did not reach 
consensus to revise Sec.  1000.9(b) in response to these comments.
    Issue: Labor Standards; consensus reached to exclude contracts from 
section 104(b)(1) of NAHASDA (Sec.  1000.16(e)). Several commenters 
stated that the Committee reached consensus on including language that 
would exclude construction and development contracts from being 
required to contain the prevailing wage provision referenced in section 
104(b)(1) of NAHASDA. These commenters cited to transcripts of the 
negotiated rulemaking sessions held in Westminster, Colorado (Neg. Reg. 
Committee Transcript Vol. II, Page 168 and Issue Number 32 on the NAIHC 
Legislative Committee Analysis Chart) to support their position. These 
commenters also stated that the Committee reached agreement specifying 
that ``agreements for assistance, sale or lease'' included construction 
and development contracts. These commenters stated that the final rule 
should reflect the Committee's action to include regulatory language 
specifically excluding construction and development contracts from this 
provision.
    These commenters also stated that HUD should clarify that contracts 
for operations and maintenance of NAHASDA-assisted affordable housing 
are not subject to the provisions of section 104(b)(1) provided that 
applicable tribal law requires the payment of prevailing wage rates, 
and that work performed directly by tribal or TDHE employees on 
NAHASDA-assisted housing is also excluded from that provision. Another 
commenter also recommended that proposed Sec.  1000.16(e) be revised to 
provide a more complete description of those activities not subject to 
the prevailing wage requirement. The commenter recommended that 
proposed Sec.  1000.16(e) be revised to add, ``including such 
construction and development contracts and such contracts for the 
maintenance and operation of NAHASDA-assisted affordable housing. Work 
performed directly by tribal or TDHE employees on NAHASDA-assisted 
housing is also not subject to the prevailing wages provisions in 
section 104(b)(1) if covered by one or more such laws or regulations 
adopted by an Indian tribe.''
    Response: After reviewing this issue, the Committee agreed that 
consensus was reached and that construction and development contracts, 
if entered into pursuant to a HUD contract or agreement for assistance, 
sale, or lease under NAHASDA, are not required to contain the 
prevailing wage provision referenced in NAHASDA section 104(b)(1) if 
the contracts are subject to tribal laws that require payment of not 
less than prevailing wages. Accordingly, the Committee is revising 
Sec.  1000.16 to accurately reflect this consensus position. In 
addition, as requested by the commenter, the Committee is also 
clarifying that operations and maintenance contracts and work performed 
by the TDHE and Tribal employees directly are excluded from Davis-Bacon 
and HUD wage rates under section 104(b)(1) where a Tribal wage 
provision that requires not less than prevailing wage rates is in 
existence. In making these changes, the Committee also agrees that the 
preamble of the November 18, 2011, proposed rule incorrectly describes 
this change as one that did not reach consensus and, accordingly, 
corrects that preamble to reflect otherwise.
    Issue: Waiver of environmental review procedures; secretarial 
discretion to approve the waiver (Sec.  1000.21). Several commenters 
stated that the proposed regulation permits the Secretary discretion to 
grant a waiver from the environmental review requirements in certain 
circumstances, and sets out the criteria to be used by the Secretary in 
making his determination. The commenters recommended that the waiver be 
mandatory if the Secretary determines that the recipient's waiver 
request meets each condition provided by Sec.  1000.21.
    Response: The Committee considered these comments and did not reach 
consensus to change Sec.  1000.21, regarding waiver of environmental 
compliance. Tribal representatives stated that adopting the comment 
would provide a level of certainty regarding HUD's treatment of waiver 
requests and would be more workable for the tribes. HUD stated that 
section 105 of NAHASDA provides that the Secretary ``may'' waive 
environmental requirements upon a showing of the stated criteria 
delineated by the statute and reiterated that the intent of this 
section was to simply codify statutory text. While tribal 
representatives

[[Page 71517]]

thought otherwise, HUD also asserted that removing Secretarial 
discretion to review these waiver requests would diminish HUD's ability 
to ensure that each criterion was met. HUD also stated that it has 
routinely granted such waiver requests in the past whenever a recipient 
has demonstrated that each criterion has been met.
    Issue: Another commenter stated that HUD changed the preamble 
discussion of Sec.  1000.21 following Committee consensus by 
referencing Notice CPD-04-08, regarding the procedures for requesting a 
waiver of the statutory environmental review requirements, and by 
adding a footnote that summarizes these procedures. According to the 
commenter, the inclusion of this language misleadingly implies that 
there has been sufficient tribal consultation to justify HUD's policies 
on these issues. The commenter also states that this language attempts 
to raise the CPD notice almost to the level of a negotiated rule by 
referencing it in the preamble. The commenter recommended that the 
wording be removed and full tribal consultation be sought before 
application of the referenced program notice, or some revised version 
of that notice.
    Response: The Committee considered this comment and concluded that 
no action on this comment is required. Notice CPD-04-08, which has 
since been replaced by Notice CPD-11-010, restates the authority of the 
Secretary to waive environmental requirements and describes the 
existing procedures that HUD follows when reviewing and approving 
waiver requests. The Notice was referenced only to describe the 
process, timing, procedures, and forms used by HUD to process a request 
to waive environmental requirements. As a result, the Committee decided 
that no action on this comment is required.
    Issue: Utilizing federal supply sources in procurement (Sec.  
1000.26(11)(iv)). Several commenters stated that they welcomed this 
provision, which permits recipients to use federal supply sources made 
available by the General Service Administration (GSA). The commenters 
reported, however, reluctance on the part of GSA to apply the provision 
and recommended that the failure be remedied.
    Response: The Committee notes that the comment offers an 
observation rather than a recommendation to change the regulatory text. 
As a result, the Committee agreed that no action on this comment is 
required. Nevertheless, the Committee agrees with the commenters that 
use of federal supply sources provided by GSA can be extremely cost 
effective for tribes, saving thousands of dollars in procurement costs 
during a period of scarce federal resources. HUD commits to continuing 
to work with GSA to reduce the difficulties associated with using these 
sources.
    Issue: Applicability of section 3 of the Housing and Urban 
Development Act of 1968 (Sec.  1000.42). Several commenters stated that 
section 101(k) of NAHASDA, as amended, designated as Tribal Preference 
in Employment and Contracting provides that tribal employment and 
contract preference laws and regulations apply notwithstanding any 
other provision of law. The commenters stated that while section 3 of 
the HUD Act of 1968 requires that low-income residents receive 
preference in employment and contracts, low-income household members 
are not always Native American or members of a tribe. The commenters 
recommended, therefore, that the preamble or the final rule confirm 
that HUD will not treat the application of tribal preference laws as a 
violation of section 3, even if they do not contemplate preference for 
non-Tribal household members.
    Another commenter stated that section 3 is an infringement on 
tribal self-determination and that Sec.  1000.42 of the proposed rule 
should be eliminated. The commenter stated that application of the 
section 3 requirement would require that 30 percent of the aggregate 
number of new hires be section 3 residents and that 10 percent of all 
contracts be awarded to section 3 businesses. The commenter also stated 
that tribal education and training programs are federally funded 
programs for the benefit of Native Americans, and that HUD cannot 
dictate that this funding be directed to assist non-Indians.
    Response: The Committee considered the comment and agreed that 
Sec.  1000.42 does not require change. As more fully discussed in the 
preamble to the November 18, 2011, proposed rule, Sec.  1000.42 
addresses section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 
(12 U.S.C. 1701u), which requires certain HUD recipients (e.g., 
recipients of more than $200,000 in HUD housing and community 
development assistance for a covered project) to provide economic 
opportunities to low- and very low-income residents. Section 1000.42(c) 
clarifies that recipients meet the section 3 requirements when they 
comply with employment and contract preference laws adopted by their 
tribe in accordance with section 101(k) of NAHASDA.
    Issue: Tribal and Indian preferences; potential infringement on 
Tribal Sovereignty (Sec. Sec.  1000.48, 1000.50, and 1000.52). One 
commenter stated that these sections, which provide that a recipient is 
required to apply Tribal preference in employment and contracting, if 
the Tribe has enacted Tribal preference laws, and that it must apply 
Indian preference to the extent that Tribal preference laws have not 
been enacted, may infringe on tribal sovereignty. According to the 
commenter, each tribe should be able to determine whether or not to 
implement Indian or tribal preferences and the extent to which it 
implements such preferences.
    Response: The final rule has not been revised in response to this 
comment. As stated in the preamble to the proposed rule, these sections 
implement section 101(k) of NAHASDA, which provides that the employment 
and contract preference laws of a tribe that receives the benefit of a 
grant (or portion of a grant) apply to the administration of the grant 
(or portion of the grant), notwithstanding any other provision of law. 
More specifically, these sections clarify that a recipient is required 
to apply tribal preference in employment and contracting if a tribe has 
enacted tribal preference laws, and that only to the extent that such 
tribal preference laws have not been enacted, a recipient must instead 
apply Indian preference, as required under section 7(b) of the Indian 
Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450e(b)). In 
addition, Sec. Sec.  1000.48(c) and 1000.52(d) clarify that the 
exemption in NAHASDA section 203(g) for procurements of less than 
$5,000 from competitive rules and procedures serves to exempt such 
procurements from Indian preference requirements under section 7(b) of 
the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.
    Issue: Program Income; Use for Housing or housing related 
activities (Sec. Sec.  1000.10(b), 1000.26, and 1000.64). Several 
commenters stated that Sec. Sec.  1000.10(b), 1000.26, and 1000.64 
implement changes enacted by the NAHASDA Reauthorization Act of 2002 
that provide that income derived from NAHASDA funded activities are not 
restricted so long as they are used for housing or housing related 
activities. According to the commenters, this change should have been 
self-implementing and, as a result, HUD should authorize tribes and 
TDHEs to recoup any program income that they were forced to expend 
since 2002 on affordable housing activities, the statutory standard 
prior to the 2002 change.
    Response: The Committee considered these comments and agreed that 
they raise a valid concern. Notwithstanding,

[[Page 71518]]

the comments raise issues outside the scope of this rulemaking and can 
more properly be addressed in a separate rulemaking. As a result, the 
Committee considered the comments and decided not to revise Sec. Sec.  
1000.10(b), 1000.26, or 1000.64.
    Issue: The rule fails to assist recipients to determine ``useful 
life'' (Sec.  1000.142). Several commenters stated that Sec.  1000.142 
fails to inform recipients regarding how to determine the useful life 
of a housing unit. As a result, the useful life of a housing unit will 
be determined on a case-by-case determination by HUD's approval of the 
recipient's Indian Housing Plan. The commenters stated that HUD should 
provide a clear and realistic way to determine a unit's useful life 
rather than relying on a case-by-case determination. Another commenter 
agreed that Sec.  1000.142 is not clear. The commenter opined that HUD 
will likely be required to publish guidance regarding the provision and 
cautioned that unless the guidance is subject to HUD's tribal 
consultation policy, such guidance could appear to infringe on tribal 
self-determination.
    Response: The Committee considered these comments and concluded not 
to change Sec.  1000.142. This provision was a consensus provision 
agreed to by HUD and the Committee. Moreover, Sec.  1000.142 reflects 
current practice and remains useful in clarifying that recipients 
implement the useful life requirement by placing binding commitments on 
the assisted property that are satisfactory to HUD.
    Issue: The requirement that binding commitments are applicable to 
third parties that are not family members does not make sense (Sec.  
1000.146). Several commenters stated that Sec.  1000.146 does not make 
practical sense. The commenters stated that the binding commitment is 
between the recipient and the homebuyer and does not pass to family or 
household members. As a result, the commenters stated that the family 
or household member cannot pass the restriction to third party buyers. 
The commenters recommend that HUD revise this provision by deleting the 
last sentence of the proposed section.
    Response: As discussed in the preamble to the proposed rule, Sec.  
1000.146 incorporates section 205(c) of NAHASDA. More specifically, the 
sentence that the commenters recommend be deleted reflects the intent 
of the Committee that any subsequent transfer by the family member or 
household member to a third party that is not a family member or 
household member be subject to any remaining useful life under a 
binding commitment. Accordingly, HUD and the Committee determined that 
a change to the rule was not necessary.
    Issue: Difficulty receiving criminal conviction information (Sec.  
1000.150). Several commenters stated that most tribal housing programs 
and TDHEs remain unable to obtain criminal conviction information on 
applicants or tenants from law enforcement agencies, including the 
Bureau of Indian Affairs Police and local non-Indian agencies. The 
commenters recommended that the authorization to obtain this 
information be strengthened by regulation or by statutory amendment.
    Response: The November 18, 2011, rule proposed to amend only the 
heading of Sec.  1000.150, to conform it to section 208(a) of NAHASDA, 
which permits the use of criminal conviction records to screen 
applicants for employment. Consequently, the Committee agrees that no 
change to Sec.  1000.150 is required. Nevertheless, the Committee 
agrees that section 208(a) of NAHASDA provides that the National Crime 
Information Center, police departments, and other law enforcement 
agencies are required to provide this information upon request. The 
Committee also agrees that the preamble to this final rule state that, 
while Sec.  1000.150 does not explicitly list the ``other law 
enforcement agencies'' from which tribes and TDHEs should be able to 
obtain the criminal conviction records of applicants for employment and 
adult applicants for housing, the intent of the Committee is that such 
information be made available from the Bureau of Indian Affairs Police 
and local non-Indian agencies.
    Issue: Response time not sanctioned (Sec. Sec.  1000.227 and 
1000.246). Several commenters stated that, unlike Sec.  1000.114, these 
provisions covering the granting of waivers relating to local 
cooperation agreement and taxation exemption requirements, as well as 
waivers relating to a recipient's IHP submission deadline, do not 
provide consequences for HUD's failure to act within the prescribed 
timeframes. The commenters recommended that these sections be revised 
to provide that HUD's failure to issue a decision within the prescribed 
timeframe shall result in the waiver request being approved.
    Response: The Committee considered these comments and did not reach 
consensus to change either Sec.  1000.227 or Sec.  1000.246. The 
deadlines for HUD action reflected in Sec. Sec.  1000.227 and 1000.246 
were the subject of much discussion during the negotiated rulemaking 
sessions leading to the proposed rule. Tribal representatives opined 
that establishing consequences for HUD's failure to meet its deadline 
would expedite the review process and provide certainty for the tribes. 
HUD asserted that a deadline would eliminate the flexibility it needs 
to fully review these requests. HUD also asserted the fact that it has 
delegated decisionmaking authority to the field should expedite HUD 
decisionmaking, and supports the conclusion that these sections not be 
revised to result in automatic waivers of program requirements being 
granted should HUD fail to issue a decision within the prescribed 
timeframes.
    The Committee also reviewed whether to revise Sec.  1000.246(c) to 
delete the second and third sentences that read, ``If the request is 
denied, IHBG funds may not be spent on the housing units. If IHBG funds 
have been spent on the housing units prior to the denial, the recipient 
must reimburse the grant for all IHBG funds expended.'' HUD notes that 
section 101(d) of NAHASDA states that grant amounts may not be used 
unless the dwelling units are exempt from all real and personal 
property taxes levied or imposed by the state, tribe, city, county or 
other political subdivision. Recipients would not, therefore, comply 
with NAHASDA if they used non-federal assistance to pay any tax imposed 
on the units. As a result, the Committee did not revise Sec.  1000.246.
    Issue: What is the appropriate extent of HUD monitoring (Sec.  
1000.503(a)). One commenter stated that HUD changed one of the risk 
assessment factors related to a determination of the frequency of HUD 
monitoring in Sec.  1000.532(a)(4) from ``delinquent IPA audits'' to 
``delinquent audits.'' The commenter stated that the reference to 
``delinquent audits'' should be changed back to the October 2010 
version of the provision which provided, ``delinquent Independent 
Public Accountant (IPA) audits.''
    Response: HUD agrees that the reference to ``delinquent IPA 
audits'' was changed to ``delinquent audits,'' after the language was 
negotiated and consensus reached. HUD stated that the change was 
intended to clarify the provision since the term ``IPA'' is not defined 
in the rule and may lend itself to confusion. To more accurately 
describe the assessment factors which determine the frequency and level 
of monitoring recipients, the Committee agrees to revise paragraphs 
(a)(4), (a)(5) and (a)(6) of Sec.  1000.503 to reference OMB Circular 
A-133. The parties understood during the negotiated rulemaking sessions 
leading to the development of the proposed rule that

[[Page 71519]]

the delinquent audits included in HUD's risk assessment were delinquent 
OMB Circular A-133 audits. In addition, to reflect existing practice 
that considers open Inspector General audit findings as a risk 
assessment factor, the Committee agrees to revise Sec.  1000.503(a)(5) 
to read, ``open OMB Circular A-133 or Inspector General audit 
findings.''
    Issue: Potential ambiguity in Sec.  1000.503(b). One commenter 
stated that there appears to be a grammatical problem with the wording 
in the introductory language of Sec.  1000.503(b) that could cause 
ambiguity. The commenter recommended that the provision be clarified by 
rewriting the section to read as follows: ``(b) If monitoring indicates 
noncompliance, HUD may undertake additional sampling and review to 
determine the extent of such noncompliance. The level of HUD monitoring 
of a recipient once that recipient has been selected for HUD monitoring 
is as follows * * *''
    Response: The Committee agrees that the recommendation offered by 
the commenter would clarify Sec.  1000.503(b) and accordingly, revises 
this section. In addition, the Committee agrees to further clarify the 
wording in Sec. Sec.  1000.503(b)(2) and (b)(3) to make the provisions 
easier to comprehend and apply.
    Issue: HUD altered the meaning of Sec.  1000.503(d) as negotiated 
by the Committee. One commenter stated that HUD has changed Sec.  
1000.503(d) in a way that alters its meaning as negotiated by the 
Committee. According to the commenter, the original intent agreed to by 
the Committee was that HUD would not monitor a recipient that has a 
self-monitoring agreement, absent the circumstances listed in the 
regulations. The language incorporated in the proposed rule, however, 
implies that self-monitoring agreements will include provisions for 
some form of HUD monitoring, even when the circumstances listed in the 
proposed rule are not present. The commenter recommended that the final 
regulation include the wording as originally shown in the October 2010 
version of the rule, specifically, that ``ONAP will not monitor the 
recipient within the effective period of such agreement or 
arrangements, unless ONAP finds reasonable evidence of fraud, a pattern 
of noncompliance, or the significant unlawful expenditure of IHBG 
funds.''
    Response: Section 1000.503(d) provides that a recipient may request 
to enter into a self-monitoring agreement with HUD, under which HUD 
would monitor only the recipient in accordance with the agreement, 
absent reasonable evidence of fraud, a pattern of noncompliance, or 
significant unlawful expenditure of IHBG funds. The Committee agrees 
that as written, Sec.  1000.503(d) represents the intent of the 
parties, and as a result, does not require change at this final rule 
stage.
    Issue: Failure of HUD to issue timely report not sanctioned (Sec.  
1000.528). Several commenters stated that the proposed regulations 
require tribes to submit comments to the HUD draft report within 
specific timeframes, and that failure to meet the prescribed time 
results in consequences for the tribe. The commenters state that there 
are no consequences for HUD's failure to issue a report within the 
regulatory timelines. The commenters recommended that the regulation 
contain some kind of consequence for HUD, or some kind of enforcement 
or appeal mechanism if HUD fails to meet its obligations under the 
timelines.
    Response: The Committee considered this comment and recognizes that 
Sec.  1000.528 establishes a timeline for HUD to take action, but does 
not establish consequences for HUD not taking action within that time 
period. Tribal representatives stated that establishing consequences 
for HUD if it fails to meet the timeline would expedite HUD's review of 
a tribe's draft report and provide additional certainty for the tribes. 
This section was discussed during the committee meeting leading to the 
development of this section and there was no consensus to adopt the 
Tribal position. As a result, the Committee did not change the rule to 
address this comment.
    Issue: Preamble does not accurately describe scope of Sec.  
1000.532(a). One commenter stated that HUD's preamble describing the 
scope of Sec.  1000.532(a) inaccurately describes the scope of this 
section. The commenter stated that the preamble describes this section 
as covering ``significant noncompliance with major activity of a 
recipient's IHP'' when the proposed section covers any act of 
substantial noncompliance as defined in Sec.  1000.534, which includes 
events that are financially significant, whether or not a major 
activity is involved. The commenter recommended that HUD clarify this 
language in the final rule.
    Response: The Committee considered this comment and agrees that it 
does not recommend changes to the regulatory text of the final rule. As 
a result, the Committee agrees that Sec.  1000.532(a) does not require 
change at this final rule stage. The commenter raises a concern 
regarding the accuracy of the section of the preamble to the proposed 
rule that describes Sec.  1000.532(a) (76 FR 71479-71480). HUD and the 
Committee reviewed this section of the preamble and agree it does not 
clearly describe Sec.  1000.532(a). Specifically, the preamble to the 
proposed rule states that Sec.  1000.532(a) applies to ``significant 
noncompliance with a major activity of a recipients IHP.'' To clarify, 
the final rule at Sec.  1000.532 applies to several categories of 
``substantial noncompliance'' as that term is defined in Sec.  
1000.534.
    Issue: Provision regarding how long the recipient must maintain 
program records should be clarified (Sec.  1000.552(b)). Several 
commenters stated that only smaller tribes will be controlled by this 
provision and that most tribes and TDHEs are subject to the Single 
Audit Act and existing Sec.  1000.552(c). The commenters recommended 
that HUD combine proposed Sec.  1000.552(b) and existing Sec.  
1000.552(c) to make one clearly stated and understandable statement.
    Response: The Committee considered these comments and agrees not to 
change Sec.  1000.552(b) to address this comment.

C. Comments Regarding Nonconsensus Items

    Issue: Procedures to respond to HUD remedial actions are 
insufficient and do not conform to statute (Sec. Sec.  1000.528 to 
1000.536). Several commenters stated that sections 401 and 405 of 
NAHASDA require full due process for recipients before any NAHASDA 
funds can be reduced or recaptured for any reason. Full due process 
includes adequate and detailed notice, the right of the recipient to 
respond, a hearing, and a final determination made by a fair and 
impartial decisionmaker. Furthermore, the commenters stated that 
NAHASDA does not provide for the recapture of funds spent on eligible 
affordable housing activities under any circumstances. The commenters 
stated that the proposed regulations do not sufficiently or clearly 
address these requirements. They recommended that the Committee propose 
new regulations that make these due process requirements clear and 
state that recapture of NAHASDA funds that have already been spent on 
eligible affordable housing activities is prohibited under all 
circumstances.
    Response: No change has been made to this final rule in response to 
these comments. As discussed in detail in the preamble to the proposed 
rule, the Committee could not reach consensus on the recapture of 
expenditures on affordable housing activities. Because decisionmaking 
during the negotiated rulemaking process was based on

[[Page 71520]]

consensus, the absence of consensus on recapture of funds, even after 
the full consideration of public comments, precluded the Committee from 
adopting the changes proposed by the commenters.
    Issue: Remedial actions in the event of substantial noncompliance; 
HUD should reconsider opposition to three nonconsensus items (Sec.  
1000.532).
    Several commenters urged HUD to reconsider its opposition to the 
tribal position on three nonconsensus items. Initially, the commenters 
urged HUD to include in the final rule the Tribes' proposal to impose a 
3-year ``statute of limitations'' on HUD enforcement actions. The 
commenters stated that such a limitation would provide certainty and 
stability to tribes and TDHEs in their operations. Second, the 
commenters urged HUD to incorporate the Tribes' proposal to retain the 
existing language that would prohibit HUD from recapturing funds that 
have already been distributed to recipients and expended on affordable 
housing activities, stating that the recapture of funds is unduly 
punitive to recipients and would have a potentially adverse impact on 
low-income tenants and homebuyers who depend on the recipients for 
ongoing services. Finally, the commenters urged HUD to incorporate the 
Tribes' proposed language to clarify that the Line of Control Credit 
System (LOCCS) edit is in fact a ``limitation on the availability of 
payments to programs, projects, or activities not affected by a failure 
to comply as described under section 401(a)(1) of NAHASDA.'' The 
commenters stated that the justification that HUD put forward to 
support its position is not borne out by the facts or the law.
    Another commenter stated that procedures to be used for 
noncompliance are extremely important to recipients, and while it did 
not object to Sec.  1000.532 as proposed, it is important for HUD and 
tribes to reach consensus concerning procedures to be used when 
noncompliance that is not ``substantial'' is involved.
    Response: No change has been made to this final rule in response to 
these comments. HUD and the Committee considered these comments and for 
the reasons discussed in the preamble to the proposed rule, could not 
reach consensus on any of these three items. Because decisionmaking 
during the negotiated rulemaking process was based on consensus, the 
absence of consensus on these three items, even after the full 
consideration of public comments, precluded the Committee from adopting 
the changes proposed by the commenters.
    Issue: LOCCS edit is subject to section 401(a)(1) of NAHASDA and 
should be reconsidered. Several commenters recommended that the rule 
incorporate the Tribes' proposed language that clarifies that the LOCCS 
edit is a ``limitation on the availability of payments to programs, 
projects, or activities not affected by a failure to comply,'' under 
section 401(a)(1) of NAHASDA, subject to notice and the opportunity for 
hearing before terminating, reducing, or limiting the availability of 
payments. The commenters stated that the justification that HUD put 
forward during the negotiations to support its position is not borne 
out by the facts or the law cited by HUD, and that HUD's efforts in 
other programs to avoid due process requirements when restricting or 
limiting access to funds have been struck down by the courts. Another 
commenter disagreed with HUD's position regarding the LOCCS edit and 
stated that HUD will likely be required to publish guidance regarding 
the provision. The commenter cautioned that unless the guidance is 
subject to HUD's tribal consultation policy, such guidance would 
infringe on tribal self-determination.
    Response: As discussed in detail in the preamble to the November 
18, 2011, proposed rule, HUD and the Tribes disagree as to whether a 
``LOCCS edit'' is a ``limitation on the availability of payments to 
programs, projects, or activities not affected by a failure to 
comply,'' as described under section 401(a)(1) of NAHASDA. Interested 
parties are directed to review the preamble to the proposed rule for a 
full discussion of the position of the parties. Because decisionmaking 
during the negotiated rulemaking process was based on consensus, the 
absence of consensus, even after the full consideration of public 
comments, precluded the Committee from adopting the changes proposed by 
the commenters.
    Issue: Hearing Requirements for Formula Current Assisted Stock 
(FCAS) overcounts should be reconsidered (Sec.  1000.532(b)). Several 
commenters stated that the tribally proposed language that would make 
some level of inaccuracy in FCAS reporting by the recipient a 
substantial noncompliance requiring a hearing should be reconsidered. 
The commenters strongly recommend that the Committee propose new 
regulations that make the statutory due process requirements clear in 
the case of overcounts where a recipient would lose a substantial 
amount of their annual funding.
    Response: As discussed in detail in the preamble to the November 
18, 2011, proposed rule, HUD and the Tribes disagree on the meaning of 
section 401(a)(2) of NAHASDA, which addresses the counting of FCAS 
units. Interested parties are directed to review the preamble to the 
proposed rule for a full discussion of the position of the parties. The 
Tribes also recommended the addition of a new subsection to Sec.  
1000.534 that would provide that a FCAS overcount, in itself, does not 
constitute substantial noncompliance. Because decisionmaking during the 
negotiated rulemaking process was based on consensus, the absence of 
consensus on FCAS overcounting, even after the full consideration of 
public comments, precluded the Committee from adopting the changes 
proposed by the commenters.
    Issue: Preamble does not accurately describe hearing requirement 
for FCAS overcounts. One commenter stated that HUD failed to include a 
full explanation of the Committee's failure to reach consensus of the 
FCAS overcount issue in the preamble of the rule. The commenter stated 
that the October 2010 version of the preamble had the full explanation, 
including a discussion of whether section 401(a)(2) of NAHASDA, as 
amended, required a hearing before any grant amount adjustment by HUD. 
The October 2010 version also addressed the Committee's broader 
discussions regarding the procedural protections to be applied to both 
noncompliance and ``substantial'' noncompliance, and would have ensured 
that even in cases not involving substantial noncompliance, recipients 
would have minimum due process protections of notice and an opportunity 
for some form of hearing. The commenter stated that the failure to 
include the full discussion of these issues as provided in the October 
2010 version downplays the significance of the importance of the issue 
to recipients. The commenter concluded by recommending that even if HUD 
persists in omitting the provisions concerning noncompliance that is 
not substantial, the October 2010 preamble discussion of this issue 
should be included in the published version of the rules.
    Response: As discussed in the response immediately preceding this 
comment, HUD and the Tribes were unable to reach consensus on this 
issue. Accordingly, the lack of consensus precluded the Committee from 
adopting the changes proposed by the commenter.

[[Page 71521]]

V. Findings and Certifications

Regulatory Review--Executive Orders 12866 and 13563

    Under Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review), a 
determination must be made whether a regulatory action is significant 
and, therefore, subject to review by the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) in accordance with the requirements of the order. 
Executive Order 13563 (Improving Regulations and Regulatory Review) 
directs executive agencies to analyze regulations that are ``outmoded, 
ineffective, insufficient, or excessively burdensome, and to modify, 
streamline, expand, or repeal them in accordance with what has been 
learned. Executive Order 13563 also directs that, where relevant, 
feasible, and consistent with regulatory objectives, and to the extent 
permitted by law, agencies are to identify and consider regulatory 
approaches that reduce burdens and maintain flexibility and freedom of 
choice for the public. This final rule was determined not to be a 
``significant regulatory action'' as defined in section 3(f) of 
Executive Order 12866. The docket file is available for public 
inspection in the Regulations Division, Office of General Counsel, 451 
7th Street SW., Room 10276, Washington, DC 20410-0500. Due to security 
measures at the HUD Headquarters building, an advance appointment to 
review the public comments must be scheduled by calling the Regulations 
Division at 202 402-3055 (this is not a toll-free number). Individuals 
with speech or hearing impairments may access this number via TTY by 
calling the Federal Relay Service, toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The information collection requirements contained in this rule have 
been approved by OMB in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520) and assigned OMB Control Number 2577-0218. 
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, an agency may not 
conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a 
collection of information, unless the collection displays a currently 
valid OMB control number.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) 
generally requires an agency to conduct a regulatory flexibility 
analysis for any rule that is subject to notice and comment rulemaking 
requirements, unless the agency certifies that the rule will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
The requirements of this rule apply to Indian tribal governments and 
their tribal housing authorities. Tribal governments and their tribal 
housing authorities are not covered by the definition of ``small 
entities'' under the RFA. Accordingly, the undersigned certifies that 
this rule will not have a significant impact on a substantial number of 
small entities.

Executive Order 13132, Federalism

    Executive Order 13132 (entitled ``Federalism'') prohibits, to the 
extent practicable and permitted by law, an agency from promulgating a 
regulation that has federalism implications and either imposes 
substantial direct compliance costs on state and local governments and 
is not required by statute, or preempts state law, unless the relevant 
requirements of section 6 of the Executive Order are met. This rule 
does not have federalism implications and does not impose substantial 
direct compliance costs on state and local governments or preempt state 
law within the meaning of the Executive Order.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 
1531-1538) (UMRA) establishes requirements for federal agencies to 
assess the effects of their regulatory actions on state, local, and 
tribal governments, and on the private sector. This rule will not 
impose any federal mandate on any state, local, or tribal government, 
or on the private sector, within the meaning of UMRA.

Environmental Review

    A Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) with respect to the 
environment was made at the proposed rule stage in accordance with HUD 
regulations at 24 CFR part 50, which implement section 102(2)(C) of the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)). The 
Finding of No Significant Impact is available for public inspection 
between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays in the Regulations 
Division, Office of General Counsel, Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, 451 7th Street SW., Room 10276, Washington, DC 20410. Due 
to security measures at the HUD Headquarters building, please schedule 
an appointment to review the FONSI by calling the Regulations Division 
at 202-708-3055 (this is not a toll-free number). Individuals with 
speech or hearing impairments may access this number via TTY by calling 
the Federal Relay Service, toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number (CFDA) for 
Indian Housing Block Grants is 14.867, and the CFDA for Title VI 
Federal Guarantees for Financing Tribal Housing Activities is 
14.869.

List of Subjects in 24 CFR Part 1000

    Aged, Community development block grants, Grant programs--housing 
and community development, Grant programs--Indians, Indians, 
Individuals with disabilities, Public housing, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

    Accordingly, for the reasons described in the preamble, HUD amends 
24 CFR part 1000 as follows:

PART 1000--NATIVE AMERICAN HOUSING ACTIVITIES

0
1. The authority citation for 24 CFR part 1000 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 25 U.S.C. 4101 et seq.; 42 U.S.C. 3535(d).


0
2. Revise Sec.  1000.2(a)(6) and (a)(7) to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.2  What are the guiding principles in the implementation of 
NAHASDA?

    (a) * * *
    (6) The need for affordable homes in safe and healthy environments 
on Indian reservations, in Indian communities, and in Native Alaskan 
villages is acute and the federal government shall work not only to 
provide housing assistance, but also, to the extent practicable, to 
assist in the development of private housing finance mechanisms on 
Indian lands to achieve the goals of economic self-sufficiency and 
self-determination for Indian tribes and their members.
    (7) Federal assistance to meet these responsibilities shall be 
provided in a manner that recognizes the right of Indian self-
determination and tribal self-governance by making such assistance 
available directly to the Indian tribes or tribally designated entities 
under authorities similar to those accorded Indian tribes in Public Law 
93-638 (25 U.S.C. 450 et seq.).
* * * * *

0
3. Add Sec.  1000.9 to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.9  How is negotiated rulemaking conducted when promulgating 
NAHASDA regulations?

    The negotiated rulemaking procedures and requirements set out in 
section 106(b) of NAHASDA shall be conducted as follows:

[[Page 71522]]

    (a) Committee membership. In forming a negotiated rulemaking 
committee, HUD shall appoint as committee members representatives of 
the Federal Government and representatives of diverse tribes and 
program recipients.
    (b) Initiation of rulemaking. HUD shall initiate a negotiated 
rulemaking not later than 90 days after the enactment of any act to 
reauthorize or significantly amend NAHASDA.
    (c) Work groups. Negotiated rulemaking committees may form 
workgroups made up of committee members and other interested parties to 
meet during committee sessions and between sessions to develop specific 
rulemaking proposals for committee consideration.
    (d) Further review. Negotiated rulemaking committees shall provide 
recommended rules to HUD. Once rules are proposed by HUD, they shall be 
published for comment in the Federal Register. Any comments will be 
further reviewed by the committee and HUD before HUD determines if the 
rule or rules will be adopted.

0
4. In Sec.  1000.10(b), revise the definition of ``Indian area'' and 
add, in alphabetical order, the definitions for the terms ``Housing 
related activities,'' ``Housing related community development,'' 
``Outcomes,'' and ``Tribal program year,'' to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.10  What definitions apply in these regulations?

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    Housing related activities, for purposes of program income, means 
any facility, community building, infrastructure, business, program, or 
activity, including any community development or economic development 
activity, that:
    (1) Is determined by the recipient to be beneficial to the 
provision of housing in an Indian area; and
    (2) Would meet at least one of the following conditions:
    (i) Would help an Indian tribe or its tribally designated housing 
entity to reduce the cost of construction of Indian housing;
    (ii) Would make housing more affordable, energy efficient, 
accessible, or practicable in an Indian area;
    (iii) Would otherwise advance the purposes of NAHASDA.
    Housing related community development:
    (1) Means any facility, community building, business, activity, or 
infrastructure that:
    (i) Is owned by an Indian tribe or a tribally designated housing 
entity;
    (ii) Is necessary to the provision of housing in an Indian area; 
and
    (iii)(A) Would help an Indian tribe or tribally designated housing 
entity reduce the cost of construction of Indian housing;
    (B) Would make housing more affordable, energy efficient, 
accessible, or practicable in an Indian area; or
    (C) Would otherwise advance the purposes of NAHASDA.
    (2) Does not include any activity conducted by any Indian tribe 
under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (25 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.)
* * * * *
    Indian Area means the area within which an Indian tribe operates 
affordable housing programs or the area in which a TDHE, as authorized 
by one or more Indian tribes, operates affordable housing programs. 
Whenever the term ``jurisdiction'' is used in NAHASDA, it shall mean 
``Indian Area,'' except where specific reference is made to the 
jurisdiction of a court.
* * * * *
    Outcomes are the intended results or consequences important to 
program beneficiaries, the IHBG recipient, and the tribe generally from 
carrying out the housing or housing-related activity as determined by 
the tribe (and/or its TDHE).
* * * * *
    Tribal program year means the fiscal year of the IHBG recipient.
* * * * *

0
5. In Sec.  1000.12, revise paragraph (d) to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.12  What nondiscrimination requirements are applicable?

* * * * *
    (d) Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d) and 
Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.) 
apply to Indian tribes that are not covered by the Indian Civil Rights 
Act. The Title VI and Title VIII requirements do not apply to actions 
under NAHASDA by federally recognized Indian tribes and their TDHEs. 
State-recognized Indian tribes and their TDHEs may provide preference 
for tribal members and other Indian families pursuant to NAHASDA 
sections 201(b) and 101(k) (relating to tribal preference in employment 
and contracting).

0
6. In Sec.  1000.16, revise paragraphs (a)(1) and (c), redesignate 
paragraph (e) as paragraph (f), and add new paragraph (e) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  1000.16  What labor standards are applicable?

    (a) * * *
    (1) As described in section 104(b) of NAHASDA, contracts and 
agreements for assistance, sale, or lease under NAHASDA must require 
prevailing wage rates determined by the Secretary of Labor under the 
Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. 3141-44, 3146, and 3147) to be paid to 
laborers and mechanics employed in the development of affordable 
housing.
* * * * *
    (c) Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act. Contracts in 
excess of $100,000 to which Davis-Bacon or HUD-determined wage rates 
apply are subject by law to the overtime provisions of the Contract 
Work Hours and Safety Standards Act (40 U.S.C. 3701).
* * * * *
    (e) Paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section shall not apply to 
any contract or agreement for assistance, sale, or lease pursuant to 
NAHASDA, or to any contract for construction, development, operations, 
or maintenance thereunder, if such contract or agreement for 
assistance, sale, or lease is otherwise covered by one or more laws or 
regulations adopted by an Indian tribe that requires the payment of not 
less than prevailing wages, as determined by the Indian tribe. 
Paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section shall also not apply to work 
performed directly by tribal or TDHE employees under a contract or 
agreement for assistance, sale, or lease, that is covered by one or 
more such laws or regulations adopted by an Indian tribe.
* * * * *

0
7. Add Sec.  1000.21 to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.21  Under what circumstances are waivers of the 
environmental review procedures available to tribes?

    A tribe or recipient may request that the Secretary waive the 
requirements under section 105 of NAHASDA. The Secretary may grant the 
waiver if the Secretary determines that a failure on the part of a 
recipient to comply with provisions of this section:
    (a) Will not frustrate the goals of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) or any other provision of 
law that furthers the goals of that Act;
    (b) Does not threaten the health or safety of the community 
involved by posing an immediate or long-term hazard to residents of 
that community;
    (c) Is a result of inadvertent error, including an incorrect or 
incomplete certification provided under section 105(c)(1) of NAHASDA; 
and

[[Page 71523]]

    (d) May be corrected through the sole action of the recipient.

0
8. In Sec.  1000.26, revise paragraphs (a)(5) and (a)(11) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  1000.26  What are the administrative requirements under NAHASDA?

    (a) * * *
    (5) Section 85.21, ``Payment,'' except that HUD shall not require a 
recipient to expend retained program income before drawing down or 
expending IHBG funds.
* * * * *
    (11)(i) General. Section 85.36 of this title, ``Procurement,'' 
except paragraph (a), subject to paragraphs (a)(11)(ii) and 
(a)(11)(iii) of this section.
    (ii) Bonding requirements. There may be circumstances under which 
the bonding requirements of Sec.  85.36(h) are inconsistent with other 
responsibilities and obligations of the recipient. In such 
circumstances, acceptable methods to provide performance and payment 
assurance may include:
    (A) Deposit with the recipient of a cash escrow of not less than 20 
percent of the total contract price, subject to reduction during the 
warranty period, commensurate with potential risk;
    (B) Letter of credit for 25 percent of the total contract price, 
unconditionally payable upon demand of the recipient, subject to 
reduction during any warranty period commensurate with potential risk; 
or
    (C) Letter of credit for 10 percent of the total contract price 
unconditionally payable upon demand of the recipient, subject to 
reduction during any warranty period commensurate with potential risk, 
and compliance with the procedures for monitoring of disbursements by 
the contractor.
    (iii) De minimis procurement. A recipient shall not be required to 
comply with Sec.  85.36 of this title with respect to any procurement, 
using a grant provided under NAHASDA, of goods and services with a 
value of less than $5,000.
    (iv) Utilizing federal supply sources in procurement. In accordance 
with Section 101(j) of NAHASDA, recipients may use federal supply 
sources made available by the General Services Administration pursuant 
to 40 U.S.C. 501.
* * * * *

0
9. In Sec.  1000.42, add paragraphs (c) and (d) to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.42  Are the requirements of section 3 of the Housing and 
Urban Development Act of 1968 applicable?

* * * * *
    (c) Tribal preference. Recipients meet the section 3 requirements 
when they comply with employment and contract preference laws adopted 
by their tribe in accordance with section 101(k) of NAHASDA.
    (d) Applicability. For purposes of section 3, NAHASDA funding is 
subject to the requirements applicable to the category of programs 
entitled ``Other Programs'' that provide housing and community 
development assistance (12 U.S.C. 1701u(c)(2), (d)(2)).

0
10. Revise Sec.  1000.48 to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.48  Are Indian or tribal preference requirements applicable 
to IHBG activities?

    Grants under this part are subject to Indian preference under 
section 7(b) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance 
Act (25 U.S.C. 450e(b)) or, if applicable under section 101(k) of 
NAHASDA, tribal preference in employment and contracting.
    (a)(1) Section 7(b) provides that any contract, subcontract, grant, 
or subgrant pursuant to an act authorizing grants to Indian 
organizations or for the benefit of Indians shall require that, to the 
greatest extent feasible:
    (i) Preference and opportunities for training and employment shall 
be given to Indians; and
    (ii) Preference in the award of contracts and subcontracts shall be 
given to Indian organizations and Indian-owned economic enterprises as 
defined in section 3 of the Indian Financing Act of 1974 (25 U.S.C. 
1452).
    (2) The following definitions apply:
    (i) The Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act 
defines ``Indian'' to mean a person who is a member of an Indian tribe 
and defines ``Indian tribe'' to mean any Indian tribe, band, nation, or 
other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village 
or regional or village corporation as defined or established pursuant 
to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, which is recognized as 
eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United 
States to Indians because of their status as Indians.
    (ii) In section 3 of the Indian Financing Act of 1974, ``economic 
enterprise'' is defined as any Indian-owned commercial, industrial, or 
business activity established or organized for the purpose of profit, 
except that Indian ownership must constitute not less than 51 percent 
of the enterprise. This act defines ``Indian organization'' to mean the 
governing body of any Indian tribe or entity established or recognized 
by such governing body.
    (b) If tribal employment and contract preference laws have not been 
adopted by the Indian tribe, section 7(b) Indian preference provisions 
shall apply.
    (c) Exception for de minimis procurements. A recipient shall not be 
required to apply Indian preference requirements under Section 7(b) of 
the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act with respect 
to any procurement, using a grant provided under NAHASDA, of goods and 
services with a value less than $5,000.

0
11. Revise Sec.  1000.50, to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.50  What tribal or Indian preference requirements apply to 
IHBG administration activities?

    (a) In accordance with Section 101(k) of NAHASDA, a recipient shall 
apply the tribal employment and contract preference laws (including 
regulations and tribal ordinances) adopted by the Indian tribe that 
receives a benefit from funds granted to the recipient under NAHASDA.
    (b) In the absence of tribal employment and contract preference 
laws, a recipient must, to the greatest extent feasible, give 
preference and opportunities for training and employment in connection 
with the administration of grants awarded under this part to Indians in 
accordance with section 7(b) of the Indian Self-Determination and 
Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450e(b)).

0
12. Revise Sec.  1000.52 to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.52  What tribal or Indian preference requirements apply to 
IHBG procurement?

    (a) In accordance with Section 101(k) of NAHASDA, a recipient shall 
apply the tribal employment and contract preference laws (including 
regulations and tribal ordinances) adopted by the Indian tribe that 
receives a benefit from funds granted to the recipient under NAHASDA.
    (b) In the absence of tribal employment and contract preference 
laws, a recipient must, to the greatest extent feasible, give 
preference in the award of contracts for projects funded under this 
part to Indian organizations and Indian-owned economic enterprises in 
accordance with Section 7(b) of the Indian Self-Determination and 
Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450e(b)).
    (c) The following provisions apply to the application of Indian 
preference under paragraph (b) of this section:
    (1) In applying Indian preference, each recipient shall:
    (i) Certify to HUD that the policies and procedures adopted by the 
recipient will provide preference in procurement

[[Page 71524]]

activities consistent with the requirements of section 7(b) of the 
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 
450e(b)) (An Indian preference policy that was previously approved by 
HUD for a recipient will meet the requirements of this section); or
    (ii) Advertise for bids or proposals limited to qualified Indian 
organizations and Indian-owned enterprises; or
    (iii) Use a two-stage preference procedure, as follows:
    (A) Stage 1. Invite or otherwise solicit Indian-owned economic 
enterprises to submit a statement of intent to respond to a bid 
announcement or request for proposals limited to Indian-owned firms.
    (B) Stage 2. If responses are received from more than one Indian 
enterprise found to be qualified, advertise for bids or proposals 
limited to Indian organizations and Indian-owned economic enterprises.
    (2) If the recipient selects a method of providing preference that 
results in fewer than two responsible qualified organizations or 
enterprises submitting a statement of intent, a bid, or a proposal to 
perform the contract at a reasonable cost, then the recipient shall:
    (i) Readvertise the contract, using any of the methods described in 
paragraph (c)(1) of this section; or
    (ii) Readvertise the contract without limiting the advertisement 
for bids or proposals to Indian organizations and Indian-owned economic 
enterprises; or
    (iii) If one approvable bid or proposal is received, request Area 
ONAP review and approval of the proposed contract and related 
procurement documents, in accordance with 24 CFR 85.36, in order to 
award the contract to the single bidder or offeror.
    (3) Procurements that are within the dollar limitations established 
for small purchases under 24 CFR 85.36 need not follow the formal bid 
or proposal procedures of paragraph (c)(1) of this section, since these 
procurements are governed by the small purchase procedures of 24 CFR 
85.36. However, a recipient's small purchase procurement shall, to the 
greatest extent feasible, provide Indian preference in the award of 
contracts.
    (4) All preferences shall be publicly announced in the 
advertisement and bidding or proposal solicitation documents and the 
bidding and proposal documents.
    (5) A recipient, at its discretion, may require information of 
prospective contractors seeking to qualify as Indian organizations or 
Indian-owned economic enterprises. Recipients may require prospective 
contractors to provide the following information before submitting a 
bid or proposal, or at the time of submission:
    (i) Evidence showing fully the extent of Indian ownership and 
interest;
    (ii) Evidence of structure, management, and financing affecting the 
Indian character of the enterprise, including major subcontracts and 
purchase agreements; materials or equipment supply arrangements; 
management salary or profit-sharing arrangements; and evidence showing 
the effect of these on the extent of Indian ownership and interest; and
    (iii) Evidence sufficient to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the 
recipient that the prospective contractor has the technical, 
administrative, and financial capability to perform contract work of 
the size and type involved.
    (6) The recipient shall incorporate the following clause (referred 
to as the section 7(b) clause) in each contract awarded in connection 
with a project funded under this part:
    (i) The work to be performed under this contract is on a project 
subject to section 7(b) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education 
Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450e(b)) (the Indian Act). Section 7(b) 
requires that, to the greatest extent feasible:
    (A) Preferences and opportunities for training and employment shall 
be given to Indians; and
    (B) Preferences in the award of contracts and subcontracts shall be 
given to Indian organizations and Indian-owned economic enterprises.
    (ii) The parties to this contract shall comply with the provisions 
of section 7(b) of the Indian Act.
    (iii) In connection with this contract, the contractor shall, to 
the greatest extent feasible, give preference in the award of any 
subcontracts to Indian organizations and Indian-owned economic 
enterprises, and preferences and opportunities for training and 
employment to Indians.
    (iv) The contractor shall include this section 7(b) clause in every 
subcontract in connection with the project; shall require 
subcontractors at each level to include this section 7(b) clause in 
every subcontract they execute in connection with the project; and 
shall, at the direction of the recipient, take appropriate action 
pursuant to the subcontract upon a finding by the recipient or HUD that 
the subcontractor has violated the section 7(b) clause of the Indian 
Act.
    (d) A recipient shall not be required to apply Indian preference 
requirements under Section 7(b) of the Indian Self-Determination and 
Education Assistance Act with respect to any procurement, using a grant 
provided under NAHASDA, of goods and services with a value less than 
$5,000.

0
13. In Sec.  1000.58, revise paragraphs (f) and (g) to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.58  Are there limitations on the investment of IHBG funds?

* * * * *
    (f) A recipient may invest its IHBG annual grant in an amount equal 
to the annual formula grant amount.
    (g) Investments under this section may be for a period no longer 
than 5 years.

0
14. Revise Sec.  1000.60 to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.60  Can HUD prevent improper expenditure of funds already 
disbursed to a recipient?

    Yes. In accordance with the standards and remedies contained in 
Sec.  1000.532 relating to substantial noncompliance, HUD will use its 
powers under a depository agreement and take such other actions as may 
be legally necessary to suspend funds disbursed to the recipient until 
the substantial noncompliance has been remedied. In taking this action, 
HUD shall comply with all appropriate procedures, appeals, and hearing 
rights prescribed elsewhere in this part.

0
15. In Sec.  1000.62, revise the heading and paragraph (b) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  1000.62  What is considered program income?

* * * * *
    (b) If the amount of income received in a single year by a 
recipient and all its subrecipients, which would otherwise be 
considered program income, does not exceed $25,000, such funds may be 
retained but will not be considered to be or treated as program income.
* * * * *

0
16. Add Sec.  1000.64 to subpart A to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.64  What are the permissible uses of program income?

    Program income may be used for any housing or housing related 
activity and is not subject to other federal requirements.

0
17. In Sec.  1000.104, revise paragraphs (b) and (c), and add paragraph 
(d), to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.104  What families are eligible for affordable housing 
activities?

* * * * *
    (b) A non-low-income family may receive housing assistance in 
accordance with Sec.  1000.110.
    (c) A family may receive housing assistance on a reservation or 
Indian

[[Page 71525]]

area if the family's housing needs cannot be reasonably met without 
such assistance and the recipient determines that the presence of that 
family on the reservation or Indian area is essential to the well-being 
of Indian families.
    (d) A recipient may provide housing or housing assistance provided 
through affordable housing activities assisted with grant amounts under 
NAHASDA for a law enforcement officer on an Indian reservation or other 
Indian area, if:
    (1) The officer:
    (i) Is employed on a full-time basis by the federal government or a 
state, county, or other unit of local government, or lawfully 
recognized tribal government; and
    (ii) In implementing such full-time employment, is sworn to uphold, 
and make arrests for, violations of federal, state, county, or tribal 
law; and
    (2) The recipient determines that the presence of the law 
enforcement officer on the Indian reservation or other Indian area may 
deter crime.

0
18. Revise Sec.  1000.106 to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.106  What families receiving assistance under title II of 
NAHASDA require HUD approval?

    (a) Housing assistance for non-low-income families requires HUD 
approval only as required in Sec. Sec.  1000.108 and 1000.110.
    (b) Assistance for essential families under section 201(b)(3) of 
NAHASDA does not require HUD approval but only requires that the 
recipient determine that the presence of that family on the reservation 
or Indian area is essential to the well-being of Indian families and 
that the family's housing needs cannot be reasonably met without such 
assistance.

0
19. Revise Sec.  1000.108 to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.108  How is HUD approval obtained by a recipient for housing 
for non-low-income families and model activities?

    Recipients are required to submit proposals to operate model 
housing activities as defined in section 202(6) of NAHASDA and to 
provide assistance to non-low-income families in accordance with 
section 201(b)(2) of NAHASDA. Assistance to non-low-income families 
must be in accordance with Sec.  1000.110. Proposals may be submitted 
in the recipient's IHP or at any time by amendment of the IHP, or by 
special request to HUD at any time. HUD may approve the remainder of an 
IHP, notwithstanding disapproval of a model activity or assistance to 
non-low-income families.

0
20. Revise Sec.  1000.110 to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.110  Under what conditions may non-low-income Indian 
families participate in the program?

    (a) A family that was low-income at the times described in Sec.  
1000.147 but subsequently becomes a non-low-income family due to an 
increase in income may continue to participate in the program in 
accordance with the recipient's admission and occupancy policies. The 
10 percent limitation in paragraph (c) of this section shall not apply 
to such families. Such families may be made subject to the additional 
requirements in paragraph (d) of this section based on those policies. 
This includes a family member or household member who takes ownership 
of a homeownership unit under Sec.  1000.146.
    (b) A recipient must determine and document that there is a need 
for housing for each family that cannot reasonably be met without such 
assistance.
    (c) A recipient may use up to 10 percent of the amount planned for 
the tribal program year for families whose income falls within 80 to 
100 percent of the median income without HUD approval. HUD approval is 
required if a recipient plans to use more than 10 percent of the amount 
planned for the tribal program year for such assistance or to provide 
housing for families with income over 100 percent of median income.
    (d) Non-low-income families cannot receive the same benefits 
provided low-income Indian families. The amount of assistance non-low-
income families may receive will be determined as follows:
    (1) The rent (including homebuyer payments under a lease purchase 
agreement) to be paid by a non-low-income family cannot be less than: 
(Income of non-low-income family/Income of family at 80 percent of 
median income) x (Rental payment of family at 80 percent of median 
income), but need not exceed the fair market rent or value of the unit.
    (2) Other assistance, including down payment assistance, to non-
low-income families, cannot exceed: (Income of family at 80 percent of 
median income/Income of non-low-income family) x (Present value of the 
assistance provided to family at 80 percent of median income).
    (e) The requirements set forth in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this 
section do not apply to non-low-income families that the recipient has 
determined to be essential under Sec.  1000.106(b).

0
21. Revise Sec.  1000.114 to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.114  How long does HUD have to review and act on a proposal 
to provide assistance to non-low-income families or a model housing 
activity?

    Whether submitted in the IHP or at any other time, HUD will have 60 
calendar days after receiving the proposal to notify the recipient in 
writing that the proposal to provide assistance to non-low-income 
families or for model activities is approved or disapproved. If no 
decision is made by HUD within 60 calendar days of receiving the 
proposal, the proposal is deemed to have been approved by HUD.

0
22. Revise Sec.  1000.116 to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.116  What should HUD do before declining a proposal to 
provide assistance to non low-income families or a model housing 
activity?

    HUD shall consult with a recipient regarding the recipient's 
proposal to provide assistance to non-low-income families or a model 
housing activity. To the extent that resources are available, HUD shall 
provide technical assistance to the recipient in amending and modifying 
the proposal, if necessary. In case of a denial, HUD shall give the 
specific reasons for the denial.

0
23. In Sec.  1000.118, revise the heading and paragraph (a), to read as 
follows:


Sec.  1000.118  What recourse does a recipient have if HUD disapproves 
a proposal to provide assistance to non-low-income families or a model 
housing activity?

    (a) Within 30 calendar days of receiving HUD's denial of a proposal 
to provide assistance to non-low-income families or a model housing 
activity, the recipient may request reconsideration of the denial in 
writing. The request shall set forth justification for the 
reconsideration.
* * * * *

0
24. Add Sec.  1000.141 to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.141  What is ``useful life'' and how is it related to 
affordability?

    Useful life is the time period during which an assisted property 
must remain affordable, as defined in section 205(a) of NAHASDA.

0
25. Revise Sec.  1000.142 to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.142  How does a recipient determine the ``useful life'' 
during which low-income rental housing and low-income homebuyer housing 
must remain affordable as required in sections 205(a)(2) and 209 of 
NAHASDA?

    To the extent required in the IHP, each recipient shall describe 
its determination of the useful life of the assisted housing units in 
its developments in accordance with the local conditions of the Indian 
area of the

[[Page 71526]]

recipient. By approving the plan, HUD determines the useful life in 
accordance with section 205(a)(2) of NAHASDA and for purposes of 
section 209.

0
26. Add Sec.  1000.143 to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.143  How does a recipient implement its useful life 
requirements?

    A recipient implements its useful life requirements by placing a 
binding commitment, satisfactory to HUD, on the assisted property.

0
27. Redesignate Sec.  1000.144 and Sec.  1000.146 as Sec.  1000.145 and 
Sec.  1000.147, respectively.

0
28. Add Sec.  1000.144 to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.144  What are binding commitments satisfactory to HUD?

    A binding commitment satisfactory to HUD is a written use 
restriction agreement, developed by the recipient, and placed on an 
assisted property for the period of its useful life.

0
29. Add Sec.  1000.146 to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.146  Are binding commitments for the remaining useful life 
of property applicable to a family member or household member who 
subsequently takes ownership of a homeownership unit?

    No. The transfer of a homeownership unit to a family member or 
household member is not subject to a binding commitment for the 
remaining useful life of the property. Any subsequent transfer by the 
family member or household member to a third party (not a family member 
or household member) is subject to any remaining useful life under a 
binding commitment.

0
30. Revise redesignated Sec.  1000.147, to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.147  When does housing qualify as affordable housing under 
NAHASDA?

    (a) Housing qualifies as affordable housing, provided that the 
family occupying the unit is low-income at the following times:
    (1) In the case of rental housing, at the time of the family's 
initial occupancy of such unit;
    (2) In the case of a contract to purchase existing housing, at the 
time of purchase;
    (3) In the case of a lease-purchase agreement for existing housing 
or for housing to be constructed, at the time the agreement is signed; 
and
    (4) In the case of a contract to purchase housing to be 
constructed, at the time the contract is signed.
    (b) Families that are not low-income as described in this section 
may be eligible under Sec.  1000.104 or Sec.  1000.110.

0
31. In Sec.  1000.150, revise the heading to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.150  How may Indian tribes and TDHEs receive criminal 
conviction information on applicants for employment and on adult 
applicants for housing assistance, or tenants?

* * * * *

0
32. Revise Sec.  1000.152 to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.152  How is the recipient to use criminal conviction 
information?

    (a) With regard to adult tenants and applicants for housing 
assistance, the recipient shall use the criminal conviction information 
described in Sec.  1000.150 only for applicant screening, lease 
enforcement, and eviction actions.
    (b) With regard to applicants for employment, the recipient shall 
use the criminal conviction information described in Sec.  1000.150 for 
the purposes set out in section 208 of NAHASDA.
    (c) The criminal conviction information described in Sec.  1000.150 
may be disclosed only to any person who has a job-related need for the 
information and who is an authorized officer, employee, or 
representative of the recipient or the owner of housing assisted under 
NAHASDA.

0
33. Revise Sec.  1000.201 to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.201  How are funds made available under NAHASDA?

    Every fiscal year HUD will make grants under the IHBG program to 
recipients who have submitted to HUD for a tribal program year an IHP 
in accordance with Sec.  1000.220 to carry out affordable housing 
activities.

0
34. Revise Sec.  1000.214 to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.214  What is the deadline for submission of an IHP?

    IHPs must be initially sent by the recipient to the Area ONAP no 
later than 75 days before the beginning of a tribal program year. Grant 
funds cannot be provided until the plan due under this section is 
determined to be in compliance with section 102 of NAHASDA and funds 
are available.

0
35. Revise Sec.  1000.216 to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.216  What happens if the recipient does not submit the IHP 
to the Area ONAP by no later than 75 days before the beginning of the 
tribal program year?

    If the IHP is not initially sent by at least 75 days before the 
beginning of the tribal program year, the recipient will not be 
eligible for IHBG funds for that fiscal year. Any funds not obligated 
because an IHP was not received before this deadline has passed shall 
be distributed by formula in the following year.

0
36. Revise Sec.  1000.220 to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.220  What are the requirements for the IHP?

    The IHP requirements are set forth in section 102(b) of NAHASDA. In 
addition, Sec. Sec.  1000.56, 1000.108, 1000.120, 1000.134, 1000.142, 
1000.238, 1000.302, and 1000.328 require or permit additional items to 
be set forth in the IHP for HUD determinations required by those 
sections. Recipients are only required to provide IHPs that contain 
these elements in a form prescribed by HUD. If a TDHE is submitting a 
single IHP that covers two or more Indian tribes, the IHP must contain 
a separate certification in accordance with section 102(d) of NAHASDA 
and IHP Tables for each Indian tribe when requested by such Indian 
tribes. However, Indian tribes are encouraged to perform comprehensive 
housing needs assessments and develop comprehensive IHPs and not limit 
their planning process to only those housing efforts funded by NAHASDA. 
An IHP should be locally driven.

0
37. Revise Sec.  1000.224 to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.224  Can any part of the IHP be waived?

    Yes. HUD has general authority under section 101(b)(2) of NAHASDA 
to waive any IHP requirements when an Indian tribe cannot comply with 
IHP requirements due to exigent circumstances beyond its control, for a 
period of not more than 90 days. The waiver authority under section 
101(b)(2) of NAHASDA provides flexibility to address the needs of every 
Indian tribe, including small Indian tribes. The waiver may be 
requested by the Indian tribe or its TDHE (if such authority is 
delegated by the Indian tribe), and such waiver shall not be 
unreasonably withheld.

0
38. Add Sec.  1000.225 to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.225  When may a waiver of the IHP submission deadline be 
requested?

    A recipient may request a waiver for a period of not more than 90 
days beyond the IHP submission due date.

0
39. Add Sec.  1000.227 to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.227  What shall HUD do upon receipt of an IHP submission 
deadline waiver request?

    The waiver shall be decided upon by HUD within 45 days of receipt 
of the waiver request. HUD shall notify the recipient in writing within 
45 days of receipt of the waiver request whether the request is 
approved or denied.

[[Page 71527]]


0
40. In Sec.  1000.230, revise paragraph (a)(1) to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.230  What is the process for HUD review of IHPs and IHP 
amendments?

* * * * *
    (a) * * *
    (1) Comply with the requirements of section 102 of NAHASDA, which 
outlines the IHP submission requirements; however, the recipient may 
use either the HUD-estimated IHBG amount or the IHBG amount from their 
most recent compliant IHP;
* * * * *

0
41. In Sec.  1000.236, revise paragraphs (a)(4), (a)(5), and (b), and 
add paragraph (a)(6), to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.236  What are eligible administrative and planning expenses?

    (a) * * *
    (4) Preparation of the annual performance report;
    (5) Challenge to and collection of data for purposes of challenging 
the formula; and
    (6) Administrative and planning expenses associated with 
expenditure of non-IHBG funds on affordable housing activities if the 
source of the non-IHBG funds limits expenditure of its funds on such 
administrative expenses.
    (b) Staff and overhead costs directly related to carrying out 
affordable housing activities or comprehensive and community 
development planning activities can be determined to be eligible costs 
of the affordable housing activity or considered as administration or 
planning at the discretion of the recipient.

0
42. Revise Sec.  1000.238 to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.238  What percentage of the IHBG funds can be used for 
administrative and planning expenses?

    Recipients receiving in excess of $500,000 may use up to 20 percent 
of their annual expenditures of grant funds or may use up to 20 percent 
of their annual grant amount, whichever is greater. Recipients 
receiving $500,000 or less may use up to 30 percent of their annual 
expenditures of grant funds or up to 30 percent of their annual grant 
amount, whichever is greater. When a recipient is receiving grant funds 
on behalf of one or more grant beneficiaries, the recipient may use up 
to 30 percent of the annual expenditure of grant funds or up to 30 
percent of the annual grant amount, whichever is greater, of each grant 
beneficiary whose allocation is $500,000 or less, and up to 20 percent 
of the annual expenditure of grant funds or up to 20 percent of the 
annual grant amount, whichever is greater, of each grant beneficiary 
whose allocation is greater than $500,000. HUD approval is required if 
a higher percentage is requested by the recipient. Recipients combining 
grant funds with other funding may request HUD approval to use a higher 
percentage based on its total expenditure of funds from all sources for 
that year. When HUD approval is required, HUD must take into 
consideration any cost of preparing the IHP, challenges to and 
collection of data, the recipient's grant amount, approved cost 
allocation plans, and any other relevant information with special 
consideration given to the circumstances of recipients receiving 
minimal funding.

0
43. Add Sec.  1000.239 to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.239  May a recipient establish and maintain reserve accounts 
for administration and planning?

    Yes. In addition to the amounts established for planning and 
administrative expenses under Sec. Sec.  1000.236 and 1000.238, a 
recipient may establish and maintain separate reserve accounts only for 
the purpose of accumulating amounts for administration and planning 
relating to affordable housing activities. These amounts may be 
invested in accordance with Sec.  1000.58(c). Interest earned on 
reserves is not program income and shall not be included in calculating 
the maximum amount of reserves. The maximum amount of reserves, whether 
in one or more accounts, that a recipient may have available at any one 
time is calculated as follows:
    (a) Determine the 5-year average of administration and planning 
amounts, not including reserve amounts, expended in a tribal program 
year.
    (b) Establish \1/4\ of that amount for the total eligible reserve.

0
44. Add Sec.  1000.244 to subpart C to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.244  If the recipient has made a good-faith effort to 
negotiate a cooperation agreement and tax-exempt status but has been 
unsuccessful through no fault of its own, may the Secretary waive the 
requirement for a cooperation agreement and a tax exemption?

    Yes. Recipients must submit a written request for waiver to the 
recipient's Area ONAP. The request must detail a good faith effort by 
the recipient, identify the housing units involved, and include all 
pertinent background information about the housing units. The recipient 
must further demonstrate that it has pursued and exhausted all 
reasonable channels available to it to reach an agreement to obtain 
tax-exempt status, and that failure to obtain the required agreement 
and tax-exempt status has been through no fault of its own. The Area 
ONAP will forward the request, its recommendation, comments, and any 
additional relevant documentation to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for 
Native American Programs for processing to the Assistant Secretary.

0
45. Add Sec.  1000.246 to subpart C to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.246  How must HUD respond to a request for waiver of the 
requirement for a cooperation agreement and a tax exemption?

    (a) HUD shall make a determination to such request for a waiver 
within 30 days of receipt or provide a reason to the requestor for the 
delay, identify all additional documentation necessary, and provide a 
timeline within which a determination will be made.
    (b) If the waiver is granted, HUD shall notify the recipient of the 
waiver in writing and inform the recipient of any special condition or 
deadlines with which it must comply. Such waiver shall remain effective 
until revoked by the Secretary.
    (c) If the waiver is denied, HUD shall notify the recipient of the 
denial and the reason for the denial in writing. If the request is 
denied, IHBG funds may not be spent on the housing units. If IHBG funds 
have been spent on the housing units prior to the denial, the recipient 
must reimburse the grant for all IHBG funds expended.

0
46. In Sec.  1000.302, revise paragraph (2)(i)(B) of the definition of 
``Formula area'' and paragraph (3) of the definition of ``Substantial 
housing services,'' to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.302  What are the definitions applicable for the IHBG 
formula?

* * * * *
    Formula area. * * *
    (2)(i) * * *
    (B) Is providing substantial housing services and will continue to 
expend or obligate funds for substantial housing services, as reflected 
in its Indian Housing Plan and Annual Performance Report for this 
purpose.
* * * * *
    Substantial housing services are:
    * * *
    (3) HUD shall require that the Indian tribe annually provide 
written verification, in its Indian Housing Plan and Annual Performance 
Report, that the affordable housing activities it is providing meet the 
definition of substantial housing services.
* * * * *

0
47. In Sec.  1000.328, revise paragraph (b)(2) to read as follows:

[[Page 71528]]

Sec.  1000.328  What is the minimum amount that an Indian tribe may 
receive under the need component of the formula?

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (2) Certify in its Indian Housing Plan the presence of any 
households at or below 80 percent of median income.

0
48. Revise Sec.  1000.332 to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.332  Will data used by HUD to determine an Indian tribe's or 
TDHE's formula allocation be provided to the Indian tribe or TDHE 
before the allocation?

    Yes. HUD shall provide the Indian tribe or TDHE notice of the data 
to be used for the formula and projected allocation amount by June 1.

0
49. Remove Sec.  1000.408.

0
50. In Sec.  1000.410, revise paragraphs (c) and (d), and add paragraph 
(e) to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.410  What conditions shall HUD prescribe when providing a 
guarantee for notes or other obligations issued by an Indian tribe?

* * * * *
    (c) The repayment period may exceed 20 years, and the length of the 
repayment period cannot be the sole basis for HUD disapproval;
    (d) Lender and issuer/borrower must certify that they acknowledge 
and agree to comply with all applicable tribal laws; and
    (e) A guarantee made under Title VI of NAHASDA shall guarantee 
repayment of 95 percent of the unpaid principal and interest due on the 
notes or other obligations guaranteed.

0
51. In Sec.  1000.424, revise paragraph (a), remove paragraph (d)(2), 
and redesignate paragraphs (d)(3) through (d)(6) as paragraphs (d)(2) 
through (d)(5), respectively, to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.424  What are the application requirements for guarantee 
assistance under title VI of NAHASDA?

* * * * *
    (a) An identification of each of the activities to be carried out 
with the guaranteed funds and a description of how each activity 
qualifies:
    (1) As an affordable housing activity as defined in section 202 of 
NAHASDA; or
    (2) As a housing related community development activity under 
section 601(a) of NAHASDA.
* * * * *

0
52. In Sec.  1000.428, revise paragraphs (b) and (e) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  1000.428  For what reasons may HUD disapprove an application or 
approve an application for an amount less than that requested?

* * * * *
    (b) The loan or other obligation for which the guarantee is 
requested exceeds any of the limitations specified in sections 601(c) 
or section 605(d) of NAHASDA.
* * * * *
    (e) The activities to be undertaken are not eligible under either:
    (1) Section 202 of NAHASDA; or
    (2) Section 601(a) of NAHASDA.
* * * * *

0
53. Add Sec.  1000.503 to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.503  What is an appropriate extent of HUD monitoring?

    (a) Subject to any conflicting or supplementary requirement of 
specific legislation, and upon the effective date of this regulation, 
the frequency of HUD monitoring of a particular recipient will be 
determined by application of the HUD standard risk assessment factors, 
provided that when a recipient requests to be monitored, HUD shall 
conduct such monitoring as soon as practicable. The HUD standard risk 
assessment factors may be but are not limited to the following:
    (1) Annual grant amount;
    (2) Disbursed amounts--all open grants;
    (3) Months since last on-site monitoring;
    (4) Delinquent Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-133 
audits;
    (5) Open OMB Circular A-133 or Inspector General audit findings;
    (6) Conclusions of OMB Circular A-133 auditor;
    (7) Open monitoring findings;
    (8) Delinquent Annual Performance Reports or Annual Status and 
Evaluation Reports;
    (9) Status of Corrective Action Plan (CAP) or Performance Agreement 
(PA);
    (10) Recipient Self-Monitoring;
    (11) Inspection of 1937 Act units;
    (12) Preservation of 1937 Act units; and
    (13) Any other additional factors that may be determined by HUD, 
consistent with HUD's Tribal Consultation Policy, by which HUD will 
send written notification and provide a comment period. Such additional 
factors shall be provided by program guidance.
    (b) If monitoring indicates noncompliance, HUD may undertake 
additional sampling and review to determine the extent of such 
noncompliance. The level of HUD monitoring of a recipient once that 
recipient has been selected for HUD monitoring is as follows:
    (1) Review recipient program compliance for the current program 
year and the 2 prior program years;
    (2) On-site inspection of no more than 10 dwelling units or no more 
than 10 percent of total dwelling units, whichever is greater;
    (3) Review of no more than 10 client files or no more than 10 
percent of client files, whichever is greater.
    (c) Notwithstanding paragraph (b) of this section, HUD may at any 
time undertake additional sampling and review of prior program years, 
subject to the records retention limitations of Sec.  1000.552, if HUD 
has credible information suggesting noncompliance. HUD will share this 
information with the recipient as appropriate.
    (d) A recipient may request ONAP to enter into Self-Monitoring 
Mutual Agreements or other self-monitoring arrangements with 
recipients. ONAP will monitor the recipient only in accordance with 
such agreement or arrangement, unless ONAP finds reasonable evidence of 
fraud, a pattern of noncompliance, or the significant unlawful 
expenditure of IHBG funds.

0
54. Remove Sec.  1000.504.

0
55. In Sec.  1000.512, revise paragraphs (b) and (c), and add 
paragraphs (d) and (e), to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.512  Are performance reports required?

* * * * *
    (b) Brief information on the following:
    (1) A comparison of actual accomplishments to the planned 
activities established for the period;
    (2) The reasons for slippage if established planned activities were 
not met; and
    (3) Analysis and explanation of cost overruns or high unit costs;
    (c) Any information regarding the recipient's performance in 
accordance with HUD's performance measures, as set forth in section 
Sec.  1000.524; and
    (d) Annual performance data to reflect the accomplishments of the 
recipient to include, as specified in the IHP:
    (1) Permanent and temporary jobs supported with IHBG funds;
    (2) Outputs by eligible activity, including:
    (i) Units completed or assisted, and
    (ii) Families assisted; and
    (3) Outcomes by eligible activity.
    (e) As applicable, items required under Sec. Sec.  1000.302 and 
1000.544.

0
56. In Sec.  1000.520, revise the heading, introductory text, and 
paragraph (c), to read as follows:

[[Page 71529]]

Sec.  1000.520  What are the purposes of HUD's review of the Annual 
Performance Report?

    HUD will review each recipient's Annual Performance Report when 
submitted to determine whether the recipient:
* * * * *
    (c) Whether the Annual Performance Report of the recipient is 
accurate.

0
57. In Sec.  1000.524, remove paragraph (a), redesignate paragraphs (b) 
through (f) as paragraphs (a) through (e), and revise redesignated 
paragraph (d) to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.524  What are HUD's performance measures for the review?

* * * * *
    (d) The recipient has met the IHP-planned activities in the one-
year plan.
* * * * *

0
58. Revise Sec.  1000.528 to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.528  What are the procedures for the recipient to comment on 
the result of HUD's review when HUD issues a report under section 
405(b) of NAHASDA?

    HUD will issue a draft report to the recipient and Indian tribe 
within 60 days of the completion of HUD's review. The recipient will 
have at least 60 days to review and comment on the draft report, as 
well as provide any additional information relating to the draft 
report. Upon written notification to HUD, the recipient may exercise 
the right to take an additional 30 days to complete its review and 
comment to the draft report. Additional extensions of time for the 
recipient to complete review and comment may be mutually agreed upon in 
writing by HUD and the recipient. HUD shall consider the comments and 
any additional information provided by the recipient. HUD may also 
revise the draft report based on the comments and any additional 
information provided by the recipient. HUD shall make the recipient's 
comments and a final report readily available to the recipient, grant 
beneficiary, and the public not later than 30 days after receipt of the 
recipient's comments and additional information.

0
59. In Sec.  1000.530, revise the heading and paragraph (b), to read as 
follows:


Sec.  1000.530  What corrective and remedial actions will HUD request 
or recommend to address performance problems prior to taking action 
under Sec.  1000.532?

* * * * *
    (b) Failure of a recipient to address performance problems 
specified in paragraph (a) of this section may result in the imposition 
of sanctions as prescribed in Sec.  1000.532.

0
60. Revise Sec.  1000.532 to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.532  What are the remedial actions that HUD may take in the 
event of recipient's substantial noncompliance?

    (a) If HUD finds after reasonable notice and opportunity for 
hearing that a recipient has failed to comply substantially with any 
provision of NAHASDA or the regulations in this part, HUD shall carry 
out any of the following actions with respect to the recipient's 
current or future grants, as appropriate:
    (1) Terminate payments under NAHASDA to the recipient;
    (2) Reduce payments under NAHASDA to the recipient by an amount 
equal to the amount of such payments that were not expended in 
accordance with NAHASDA or these regulations;
    (3) Limit the availability of payments under NAHASDA to programs, 
projects, or activities not affected by the failure to comply; or
    (4) In the case of noncompliance described in Sec.  1000.542, 
provide a replacement TDHE for the recipient.
    (b) Before undertaking any action in accordance with paragraph (a) 
of this section, HUD will notify the recipient in writing of the action 
it intends to take and provide the recipient an opportunity for an 
informal meeting to resolve the deficiency. Before taking any action 
under paragraph (a) of this section, HUD shall provide the recipient 
with the opportunity for a hearing no less than 30 days prior to taking 
the proposed action. The hearing shall be held in accordance with Sec.  
1000.540. The amount in question shall not be reallocated under the 
provisions of Sec.  1000.536, until 15 days after the hearing has been 
conducted and HUD has rendered a final decision.
    (c) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, if HUD 
makes a determination that the failure of a recipient to comply 
substantially with any material provision of NAHASDA or these 
regulations is resulting, and would continue to result, in a continuing 
expenditure of funds provided under NAHASDA in a manner that is not 
authorized by law, HUD may, in accordance with section 401(a)(4) of 
NAHASDA, take action under paragraph (a)(3) of this section prior to 
conducting a hearing under paragraph (b) of this section. HUD shall 
provide notice to the recipient at the time that HUD takes that action 
and conducts a hearing, in accordance with section 401(a)(4)(B) of 
NAHASDA, within 60 days of such notice.
    (d) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this section, if HUD 
determines that the failure to comply substantially with the provisions 
of NAHASDA or these regulations is not a pattern or practice of 
activities constituting willful noncompliance, and is a result of the 
limited capability or capacity of the recipient, if the recipient 
requests, HUD shall provide technical assistance for the recipient 
(directly or indirectly) that is designed to increase the capability or 
capacity of the recipient to administer assistance under NAHASDA in 
compliance with the requirements under NAHASDA. A recipient's 
eligibility for technical assistance under this subsection is 
contingent on the recipient's execution of, and compliance with, a 
performance agreement pursuant to Section 401(b) of NAHASDA.
    (e) In lieu of, or in addition to, any action described in this 
section, if the Secretary has reason to believe that the recipient has 
failed to comply substantially with any provisions of NAHASDA or these 
regulations, HUD may refer the matter to the Attorney General of the 
United States, with a recommendation that appropriate civil action be 
instituted.
0
61. In Sec.  1000.534, revise paragraph (a) to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.534  What constitutes substantial noncompliance?

* * * * *
    (a) The noncompliance has a material effect on the recipient 
meeting its planned activities as described in its Indian Housing Plan;
* * * * *
0
62. In Sec.  1000.536, revise the heading to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.536  What happens to NAHASDA grant funds adjusted, reduced, 
withdrawn, or terminated under Sec.  1000.532?

* * * * *
0
63. Remove Sec.  1000.538.
0
64. Revise Sec.  1000.544 to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.544  What audits are required?

    Pursuant to NAHASDA section 405(a), the recipient must comply with 
the requirements of the Single Audit Act (chapter 75 of title 31, 
United States Code), including OMB Circular A-133, which require annual 
audits of recipients that expend federal funds equal to or in excess of 
an amount specified by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), as 
set out in OMB Circular A-133, subpart B, section 200. If applicable, a 
certification that the recipient has not expended federal funds in 
excess of the audit threshold that is set by OMB shall be included in

[[Page 71530]]

the recipient's Annual Performance Report.

0
65. Revise Sec.  1000.548 to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.548  Must a copy of the recipient's audit pursuant to the 
Single Audit Act relating to NAHASDA activities be submitted to HUD?

    Yes. A copy of the latest recipient audit under the Single Audit 
Act relating to NAHASDA activities must be submitted to the appropriate 
HUD ONAP area office at the same time it is submitted to the Federal 
Audit Clearinghouse pursuant to OMB Circular A-133.

0
66. Revise Sec.  1000.552(b) to read as follows:


Sec.  1000.552  How long must the recipient maintain program records?

* * * * *
    (b) Except as otherwise provided herein, records must be retained 
for 3 years from the end of the tribal program year during which the 
funds were expended.
* * * * *

    Dated: November 27, 2012.
Sandra B. Henriquez,
Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing.
[FR Doc. 2012-29133 Filed 11-30-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210-67-P