Removal of HOPE for Homeowners Program Regulations, 41422-41424 [2014-16613]
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41422
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 136 / Wednesday, July 16, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
power distribution and equipmentloads-demand condition.
2. After the un-restorable loss of
normal engine generator power, the
airplane-engine-restart capability must
be provided and operations continued
in IMC.
3. It should be demonstrated that the
aircraft is capable of continued safe
flight and landing. The length of time
must be computed based on the
maximum diversion-time capability for
which the airplane is being certified.
Consideration for airspeed reductions
resulting from the associated failure or
failures must be made.
4. The airplane must provide
adequate indication of loss of normal
electrical power to direct the pilot to the
non-normal procedures, and the
operating limitations section of the AFM
must incorporate non-normal
procedures that will direct the pilot to
take appropriate actions.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 17,
2014.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014–16643 Filed 7–15–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND
URBAN DEVELOPMENT
24 CFR Parts 200, 257, 4000, and 4001
[Docket No. FR–5790–F–01]
RIN 2501–AD68
Removal of HOPE for Homeowners
Program Regulations
Office of the Secretary, HUD.
Final rule.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Through this rule, HUD
removes regulations for the HOPE for
Homeowners Program. The statutory
authority for this program expired
September 30, 2011. Because these
regulations are no longer operative, they
are being removed by this final rule. To
the extent that local programs are still
ongoing under the following repealed
parts, the removal of these regulations
does not affect the requirements for
transactions entered into when the
regulations were in effect. Loans made
under the HOPE for Homeowners
Program that are presently insured will
continue to be governed by the
regulations that existed immediately
before the effective date of this final
rule.
DATES: Effective date: August 15, 2014.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Camille E. Acevedo, Associate General
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SUMMARY:
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15:23 Jul 15, 2014
Jkt 232001
Counsel for Legislation and Regulations,
Office of General Counsel, Department
of Housing and Urban Development,
451 7th Street SW., Room 10276,
Washington, DC 20410; telephone
number 202–708–1793 (this is not a tollfree number). Persons with hearing or
speech impairments may access this
number through TTY by calling the
Federal Relay Service, toll-free at 800–
877–8389.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The HOPE for Homeowners Act of
2008 (title IV of Division A of the
Housing and Economic Recovery Act of
2008 (HERA) (Pub. L. 110–289, 122 Stat.
2654, approved July 30, 2008) added a
new section 257 to the National Housing
Act (NHA) (12 U.S.C. 1701z–22) that
established a temporary program within
HUD’s Federal Housing Administration
(FHA) that offered homeowners and
mortgage loan holders (or servicers
acting on their behalf) insurance on the
refinancing of distressed mortgagors to
support long-term sustainable
homeownership and avoid foreclosure.
Section 257 authorized FHA to
refinance eligible mortgages
commencing no earlier than October 1,
2008, and such authority to refinance
expired on September 30, 2011. The
fundamental principle behind the HOPE
for Homeowners Act and the HOPE for
Homeowners Program was that
providing new equity for distressed
homeowners may be an effective way to
help homeowners avoid foreclosure.
The HOPE for Homeowners Act also
established a Board of Directors to
administer the program. The Board is
composed of the Secretary of HUD, the
Secretary of the Treasury, the Chairman
of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System, and the Chairperson of
the Board of Directors of the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation or their
respective designees. Section 257(c)(1)
of the NHA requires the Board to
establish program requirements and
standards for the HOPE for Homeowners
Program and prescribe such regulations
and provide such guidance as may be
necessary or appropriate to implement
such requirements and standards. Under
the administration of the Board, the
HOPE for Homeowners Program
regulations were promulgated on
October 6, 2008, at 73 FR 58418, and
codified at 24 CFR part 4001.1 By rule
published on February 20, 2009, at 74
FR 7812, the Board of Directors adopted
regulations that would govern access to
records of the Board under the Freedom
1 See https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2008-1006/pdf/E8-23612.pdf.
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Frm 00018
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
of Information Act. These regulations
were codified at 24 CFR part 4000.2
The Emergency Economic
Stabilization Act of 2008 (Pub. L. 110–
343, 122 Stat. 3765, approved October 3,
2008) (EESA), specifically section 124 of
EESA, amended section 257 of the NHA
to provide additional flexibility and
options to lenders participating in the
HOPE for Homeowners Program. Among
other things, section 124 of EESA
authorizes upfront payments to a holder
of an existing subordinate mortgage in
lieu of providing the subordinate lien
holder with a portion of HUD’s 50
percent interest in the future
appreciation of the value of the
property. On January 7, 2009, at 74 FR
617, the Board published a rule to
implement the changes made by EESA.
On May 20, 2009, the President
signed into law the Helping Families
Save Their Homes Act of 2009 (Division
A of Pub. L. 111–22, 123 Stat. 1632,
approved May 20, 2009) (Helping
Families Act). Section 202 of the
Helping Families Act makes several
amendments to section 257 of the NHA
to enhance operation of the HOPE for
Homeowners Program and to provide
additional flexibility to participants. In
addition, the Helping Families Act
transferred responsibility, including
rulemaking authority, for the HOPE for
Homeowners Program from the Board of
Directors to the Secretary of HUD. The
Board of Directors would assist the
program in an advisory capacity to the
Secretary of HUD. With the transfer of
responsibility for administration of the
program from the Board of Directors to
HUD, HUD promulgated new
regulations for the HOPE for
Homeowners Program that incorporated
the changes made by EESA and the
Helping Families Act. The regulations
were published on January 12, 2010, at
75 FR 1686, and codified at 24 CFR part
257.
This Final Rule
Although changes were made to the
HOPE for Homeowners Program by
EESA and the Helping Families Act, the
expiration of the program was not
altered and the authority for the HOPE
for Homeowners Program expired on
September 30, 2011. Accordingly, this
final rule removes the regulations for
the HOPE for Homeowners Program,
codified in 24 CFR parts 257, 4000 and
4001. On June 10, 2011, FHA issued a
mortgagee letter entitled ‘‘Termination
of the HOPE for Homeowners (H4H)
Program’’ that provided instructions to
FHA-approved mortgagees on how to
2 See https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2009-0220/pdf/E9-3582.pdf.
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16JYR1
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 136 / Wednesday, July 16, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
process cases during the phasing out of
the HOPE for Homeowners Program.
The mortgagee letter stated that to
ensure close-out of the program by
September 30, 2011, the date of
expiration of the statutory authority for
this program, FHA would not issue any
case numbers for this program after July
29, 2011, and advised that eligible
mortgages would not be insured after
September 30, 2011.3
Mortgages presently insured under
the program will continue to be
governed by the regulations in effect
August 15, 2014, and the contracts of
mortgage insurance will not be affected
by the removal of these regulations.
Accordingly, this rule amends
§ 200.1301 (Expiring Programs—Savings
Clause) of 24 CFR part 200, subpart W
(Administrative Matters) to add a new
paragraph (e) to § 200.1301, which lists
the parts associated with the HOPE for
Homeowners Program regulations and
states that any existing loan assistance,
ongoing participation, or insured loans
under these parts will continue to be
governed by the regulations in effect as
they existed immediately before August
15, 2014. In addition to this
amendment, HUD amends 24 CFR part
200, subpart W, to consolidate other
expired regulations with savings clauses
into a single section, § 200.1301.
Accordingly, HUD removes § 200.1302,
which listed additional expired
programs.
ehiers on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with RULES
II. Justification for Final Rulemaking
HUD generally publishes a rule for
public comment before issuing a final
rule for effect, in accordance with
HUD’s own regulations on rulemaking
in 24 CFR part 10. Part 10 provides,
however, for exceptions to the general
rule if the agency finds good cause to
omit advance notice and public
participation. The good cause
requirement is satisfied when prior
public procedure is ‘‘impracticable,
unnecessary, or contrary to the public
interest.’’ (See 24 CFR 10.1.)
HUD finds that public notice and
comment are not necessary for this
rulemaking because the authority for the
HOPE for Homeowners Program expired
on September 30, 2011; mortgages are
no longer being insured under this
program; and, therefore, the regulations
are no longer operative. For these
reasons, HUD has determined that it is
unnecessary to delay the effectiveness of
this rule in order to solicit prior public
comment.
III. Findings and Certification
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 of any rule 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. Because HUD
has determined that good cause exists to
issue this rule without prior public
comment, this rule is not subject to the
requirement to publish an initial or final
regulatory flexibility analysis under the
RFA as part of such action.
Unfunded Mandates Reform
Section 202 of the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) 4
requires that an agency prepare a
budgetary impact statement before
promulgating a rule that includes a
Federal mandate that may result in the
expenditure by state, local, and tribal
governments, in the aggregate, or by the
private sector of $100 million or more
in any 1 year. If a budgetary impact
statement is required, section 205 of
UMRA also requires an agency to
identify and consider a reasonable
number of regulatory alternatives before
promulgating a rule.5 However, the
UMRA applies only to rules for which
an agency publishes a general notice of
proposed rulemaking pursuant to the
Administrative Procedure Act (APA).6
As discussed above, HUD has
determined for good cause that the APA
does not require general notice and
public comment on this rule and,
therefore, the UMRA does not apply to
this final rule.
Executive Order 13132, Federalism
Executive Order 13132 (entitled
‘‘Federalism’’) prohibits an agency from
publishing any rule that has federalism
implications if the rule either imposes
substantial direct compliance costs on
state and local governments and is not
required by statute, or the rule preempts
state law, unless the agency meets the
consultation and funding requirements
of section 6 of the Executive order. This
final rule will not have federalism
implications and would not impose
substantial direct compliance costs on
state and local governments or preempt
state law within the meaning of the
Executive order.
3 See https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/
program_offices/administration/hudclips/letters/
mortgagee/2011ml.
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PO 00000
U.S.C. 1532.
U.S.C. 1534.
6 2 U.S.C. 1532(a).
52
Fmt 4700
Environmental Review
This final rule does not direct,
provide for assistance or loan and
mortgage insurance for, or otherwise
govern or regulate, real property
acquisition, disposition, leasing,
rehabilitation, alteration, demolition, or
new construction; nor establish, revise
or provide for standards for construction
or construction materials, manufactured
housing, or occupancy. Accordingly,
under 24 CFR 50.19(c)(1), this final rule
is categorically excluded from
environmental review under the
National Environmental Policy Act of
1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321).
List of Subjects
24 CFR Part 200
Administrative practice and
procedure, Claims, Equal employment
opportunity, Fair housing, Home
improvement, Housing standards,
Incorporation by reference, Lead
poisoning, Loan programs—housing and
community development, Minimum
property standards, Mortgage insurance,
Organization and functions
(Government agencies), Penalties,
Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Social security,
Unemployment compensation, Wages.
24 CFR Part 257
Administrative procedures, Practice
and procedure, Mortgage insurance,
Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
24 CFR Part 4000
Loan programs, Mortgage insurance,
Access to information.
24 CFR Part 4001
Administrative procedures, Practice
and procedure, Mortgage insurance,
Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
For the reasons set forth in the
preamble, and under the authority of 42
U.S.C. 3535(d), amend title 24 of the
Code of Federal Regulations as follows:
PART 200—INTRODUCTION TO FHA
PROGRAMS
1. The authority citation for part 200
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1702–1715z–21; 42
U.S.C. 3535(d).
2. Revise § 200.1301 to read as
follows:
■
§ 200.1301
clause.
Expiring programs—Savings
(a) No new loan assistance, additional
participation, or new loans are being
insured under the programs listed in
42
Frm 00019
41423
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16JYR1
ehiers on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with RULES
41424
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 136 / Wednesday, July 16, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
this section. Existing loan assistance,
ongoing participation, or insured loans
under the programs shall continue to be
governed by regulations in effect as
described in this section.
(b) Any existing loan assistance,
ongoing participation, or insured loans
under the programs listed in this
paragraph will continue to be governed
by the regulations in effect as they
existed immediately before October 11,
1995 (24 CFR parts 205, 209, 224–228,
240, 277, 278, 1994 edition):
(1) Part 205, Mortgage Insurance for
Land Development (Title X of the
National Housing Act, repealed by
section 133(a) of the Department of
Housing and Urban Development
Reform Act of 1989 (Public Law 101–
235, approved December 15, 1989).
(2) Part 209, Individual Homes; War
Housing Mortgage Insurance (12 U.S.C.
1736–1743).
(3) Part 224, Armed Services HousingMilitary Personnel (12 U.S.C. 1736–
1746a).
(4) Part 225, Military Housing
Insurance (12 U.S.C. 1748b).
(5) Part 226, Armed Services HousingCivilian Employees (12 U.S.C. 1748h–1).
(6) Part 227, Armed Services HousingImpacted Areas (12 U.S.C. 1478h–2).
(7) Part 228, Individual Residences;
National Defense Housing Mortgage
Insurance (12 U.S.C. 1750 as amended
by 42 U.S.C. 1591c).
(8) Part 240, Mortgage Insurance on
Loans for Fee Title Purchase (12 U.S.C.
1715z–5).
(9) Part 277, Loans for Housing for the
Elderly or Handicapped (12 U.S.C.
1701q).
(10) Part 278, Mandatory Meals
Program in Multifamily Rental or
Cooperative Projects for the Elderly or
Handicapped (12 U.S.C. 1701q).
(c) Any existing loan assistance,
ongoing participation, or insured loans
under the programs listed in this
paragraph will continue to be governed
by the regulations in effect as they
existed immediately before May 11,
1996 (24 CFR parts 215, 222, and 237,
1995 edition):
(1) Part 215, Rent Supplement
Payments Program (12 U.S.C. 1715f).
(2) Part 222, Service Person’s
Mortgage Insurance Program (12 U.S.C.
1715m).
(3) Part 237, Special Mortgage
Insurance for Low and Moderate Income
Families (12 U.S.C. 1715z–2).
(d) Any existing loan assistance,
ongoing participation, or insured loans
under the program listed in this
paragraph will continue to be governed
by the regulations in effect as they
existed immediately before December
26, 1996 (24 CFR part 233, 1995
edition):
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15:23 Jul 15, 2014
Jkt 232001
(1) Part 233, Experimental Housing
Mortgage Insurance Program (12 U.S.C.
1715x).
(2) [Reserved]
(e) Any existing loan assistance,
ongoing participation, or insured loans
under the program listed in this
paragraph will continue to be governed
by the regulations in effect as they
existed immediately before August 15,
2014 (24 CFR part 257):
(1) Part 257, HOPE for Homeowners
Program (12 U.S.C. 1701z–22).
(2) [Reserved]
§ 200.1302
■
[Removed]
3. Remove § 200.1302.
PART 257 [Removed]
■
4. Remove part 257.
PART 4000 [Removed]
■
5. Remove part 4000.
PART 4001 [Removed]
■
6. Remove part 4001.
Dated: July 8, 2014.
Shaun Donovan,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2014–16613 Filed 7–15–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210–67–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Internal Revenue Service
26 CFR Part 1
[TD 9676]
RIN 1545–BJ59
Allocation and Apportionment of
Interest Expense
Internal Revenue Service (IRS),
Treasury.
ACTION: Final regulations and removal of
temporary regulations.
AGENCY:
This document contains final
regulations that provide guidance
concerning the allocation and
apportionment of interest expense by
corporations owning a 10 percent or
greater interest in a partnership, as well
as the allocation and apportionment of
interest expense using the fair market
value method. These regulations also
update the interest allocation
regulations to conform to the statutory
changes made by section 216 of the
legislation commonly referred to as the
Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance
Act (EJMAA), enacted on August 10,
2010, affecting the affiliation of certain
foreign corporations for purposes of
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00020
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
section 864(e). These regulations affect
taxpayers that allocate and apportion
interest expense.
DATES: Effective Date: These regulations
are effective on July 16, 2014.
Applicability Dates: For dates of
applicability, see §§ 1.861–9(k) and
1.861–11(d)(6)(ii).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jeffrey L. Parry, (202) 317–6936 (not a
toll-free number).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background and Explanation of
Provisions
On September 14, 1988, a notice of
proposed rulemaking by cross-reference
to temporary regulations and temporary
regulations (TD 8228) under section 861
of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) (the
1988 temporary regulations) were
published in the Federal Register at [53
FR 35525] and [53 FR 35467],
respectively. On January 17, 2012, a
notice of proposed rulemaking by crossreference to temporary regulations
(REG–113903–10) and temporary
regulations (the 2012 temporary
regulations) (TD 9571) which revised, in
part, the 1988 temporary regulations,
were published in the Federal Register
at [77 FR 2240] and [77 FR 2225],
respectively. Corrections to the 2012
temporary regulations were published
on February 21, 2012, in the Federal
Register at [77 FR 9844]. No written
comments were received on the 2012
temporary regulations or on the portion
of the 1988 temporary regulations
included in this regulation. A public
hearing was not requested and none was
held. This Treasury decision adopts the
proposed regulations published in
connection with the 2012 temporary
regulations, as well as the portions of
§ 1.861–9T(e)(2) and (3) of the 1988
temporary regulations that were not
amended by the 2012 temporary
regulations, with no substantive change.
Special Analyses
It has been determined that this notice
of proposed rulemaking is not a
significant regulatory action as defined
in Executive Order 12866, as
supplemented by Executive Order
13653. Therefore, a regulatory
assessment is not required. It has also
been determined that section 553(b) of
the Administrative Procedure Act (5
U.S.C. chapter 5) does not apply to these
regulations, and because the regulations
do not impose a collection of
information on small entities, the
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C.
chapter 6) does not apply. Pursuant to
section 7805(f), the notice of proposed
rulemaking preceding this regulation
E:\FR\FM\16JYR1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 136 (Wednesday, July 16, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 41422-41424]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-16613]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
24 CFR Parts 200, 257, 4000, and 4001
[Docket No. FR-5790-F-01]
RIN 2501-AD68
Removal of HOPE for Homeowners Program Regulations
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, HUD.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Through this rule, HUD removes regulations for the HOPE for
Homeowners Program. The statutory authority for this program expired
September 30, 2011. Because these regulations are no longer operative,
they are being removed by this final rule. To the extent that local
programs are still ongoing under the following repealed parts, the
removal of these regulations does not affect the requirements for
transactions entered into when the regulations were in effect. Loans
made under the HOPE for Homeowners Program that are presently insured
will continue to be governed by the regulations that existed
immediately before the effective date of this final rule.
DATES: Effective date: August 15, 2014.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Camille E. Acevedo, Associate General
Counsel for Legislation and Regulations, Office of General Counsel,
Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW., Room
10276, Washington, DC 20410; telephone number 202-708-1793 (this is not
a toll-free number). Persons with hearing or speech impairments may
access this number through TTY by calling the Federal Relay Service,
toll-free at 800-877-8389.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The HOPE for Homeowners Act of 2008 (title IV of Division A of the
Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA) (Pub. L. 110-289, 122
Stat. 2654, approved July 30, 2008) added a new section 257 to the
National Housing Act (NHA) (12 U.S.C. 1701z-22) that established a
temporary program within HUD's Federal Housing Administration (FHA)
that offered homeowners and mortgage loan holders (or servicers acting
on their behalf) insurance on the refinancing of distressed mortgagors
to support long-term sustainable homeownership and avoid foreclosure.
Section 257 authorized FHA to refinance eligible mortgages commencing
no earlier than October 1, 2008, and such authority to refinance
expired on September 30, 2011. The fundamental principle behind the
HOPE for Homeowners Act and the HOPE for Homeowners Program was that
providing new equity for distressed homeowners may be an effective way
to help homeowners avoid foreclosure.
The HOPE for Homeowners Act also established a Board of Directors
to administer the program. The Board is composed of the Secretary of
HUD, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Chairman of the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and the Chairperson of the
Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or
their respective designees. Section 257(c)(1) of the NHA requires the
Board to establish program requirements and standards for the HOPE for
Homeowners Program and prescribe such regulations and provide such
guidance as may be necessary or appropriate to implement such
requirements and standards. Under the administration of the Board, the
HOPE for Homeowners Program regulations were promulgated on October 6,
2008, at 73 FR 58418, and codified at 24 CFR part 4001.\1\ By rule
published on February 20, 2009, at 74 FR 7812, the Board of Directors
adopted regulations that would govern access to records of the Board
under the Freedom of Information Act. These regulations were codified
at 24 CFR part 4000.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ See https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2008-10-06/pdf/E8-23612.pdf.
\2\ See https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2009-02-20/pdf/E9-3582.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (Pub. L. 110-343,
122 Stat. 3765, approved October 3, 2008) (EESA), specifically section
124 of EESA, amended section 257 of the NHA to provide additional
flexibility and options to lenders participating in the HOPE for
Homeowners Program. Among other things, section 124 of EESA authorizes
upfront payments to a holder of an existing subordinate mortgage in
lieu of providing the subordinate lien holder with a portion of HUD's
50 percent interest in the future appreciation of the value of the
property. On January 7, 2009, at 74 FR 617, the Board published a rule
to implement the changes made by EESA.
On May 20, 2009, the President signed into law the Helping Families
Save Their Homes Act of 2009 (Division A of Pub. L. 111-22, 123 Stat.
1632, approved May 20, 2009) (Helping Families Act). Section 202 of the
Helping Families Act makes several amendments to section 257 of the NHA
to enhance operation of the HOPE for Homeowners Program and to provide
additional flexibility to participants. In addition, the Helping
Families Act transferred responsibility, including rulemaking
authority, for the HOPE for Homeowners Program from the Board of
Directors to the Secretary of HUD. The Board of Directors would assist
the program in an advisory capacity to the Secretary of HUD. With the
transfer of responsibility for administration of the program from the
Board of Directors to HUD, HUD promulgated new regulations for the HOPE
for Homeowners Program that incorporated the changes made by EESA and
the Helping Families Act. The regulations were published on January 12,
2010, at 75 FR 1686, and codified at 24 CFR part 257.
This Final Rule
Although changes were made to the HOPE for Homeowners Program by
EESA and the Helping Families Act, the expiration of the program was
not altered and the authority for the HOPE for Homeowners Program
expired on September 30, 2011. Accordingly, this final rule removes the
regulations for the HOPE for Homeowners Program, codified in 24 CFR
parts 257, 4000 and 4001. On June 10, 2011, FHA issued a mortgagee
letter entitled ``Termination of the HOPE for Homeowners (H4H)
Program'' that provided instructions to FHA-approved mortgagees on how
to
[[Page 41423]]
process cases during the phasing out of the HOPE for Homeowners
Program. The mortgagee letter stated that to ensure close-out of the
program by September 30, 2011, the date of expiration of the statutory
authority for this program, FHA would not issue any case numbers for
this program after July 29, 2011, and advised that eligible mortgages
would not be insured after September 30, 2011.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ See https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/administration/hudclips/letters/mortgagee/2011ml.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mortgages presently insured under the program will continue to be
governed by the regulations in effect August 15, 2014, and the
contracts of mortgage insurance will not be affected by the removal of
these regulations. Accordingly, this rule amends Sec. 200.1301
(Expiring Programs--Savings Clause) of 24 CFR part 200, subpart W
(Administrative Matters) to add a new paragraph (e) to Sec. 200.1301,
which lists the parts associated with the HOPE for Homeowners Program
regulations and states that any existing loan assistance, ongoing
participation, or insured loans under these parts will continue to be
governed by the regulations in effect as they existed immediately
before August 15, 2014. In addition to this amendment, HUD amends 24
CFR part 200, subpart W, to consolidate other expired regulations with
savings clauses into a single section, Sec. 200.1301. Accordingly, HUD
removes Sec. 200.1302, which listed additional expired programs.
II. Justification for Final Rulemaking
HUD generally publishes a rule for public comment before issuing a
final rule for effect, in accordance with HUD's own regulations on
rulemaking in 24 CFR part 10. Part 10 provides, however, for exceptions
to the general rule if the agency finds good cause to omit advance
notice and public participation. The good cause requirement is
satisfied when prior public procedure is ``impracticable, unnecessary,
or contrary to the public interest.'' (See 24 CFR 10.1.)
HUD finds that public notice and comment are not necessary for this
rulemaking because the authority for the HOPE for Homeowners Program
expired on September 30, 2011; mortgages are no longer being insured
under this program; and, therefore, the regulations are no longer
operative. For these reasons, HUD has determined that it is unnecessary
to delay the effectiveness of this rule in order to solicit prior
public comment.
III. Findings and Certification
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 of any rule 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.
Because HUD has determined that good cause exists to issue this rule
without prior public comment, this rule is not subject to the
requirement to publish an initial or final regulatory flexibility
analysis under the RFA as part of such action.
Unfunded Mandates Reform
Section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) \4\
requires that an agency prepare a budgetary impact statement before
promulgating a rule that includes a Federal mandate that may result in
the expenditure by state, local, and tribal governments, in the
aggregate, or by the private sector of $100 million or more in any 1
year. If a budgetary impact statement is required, section 205 of UMRA
also requires an agency to identify and consider a reasonable number of
regulatory alternatives before promulgating a rule.\5\ However, the
UMRA applies only to rules for which an agency publishes a general
notice of proposed rulemaking pursuant to the Administrative Procedure
Act (APA).\6\ As discussed above, HUD has determined for good cause
that the APA does not require general notice and public comment on this
rule and, therefore, the UMRA does not apply to this final rule.
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\4\ 2 U.S.C. 1532.
\5\ 2 U.S.C. 1534.
\6\ 2 U.S.C. 1532(a).
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Executive Order 13132, Federalism
Executive Order 13132 (entitled ``Federalism'') prohibits an agency
from publishing any rule that has federalism implications if the rule
either imposes substantial direct compliance costs on state and local
governments and is not required by statute, or the rule preempts state
law, unless the agency meets the consultation and funding requirements
of section 6 of the Executive order. This final rule will not have
federalism implications and would not impose substantial direct
compliance costs on state and local governments or preempt state law
within the meaning of the Executive order.
Environmental Review
This final rule does not direct, provide for assistance or loan and
mortgage insurance for, or otherwise govern or regulate, real property
acquisition, disposition, leasing, rehabilitation, alteration,
demolition, or new construction; nor establish, revise or provide for
standards for construction or construction materials, manufactured
housing, or occupancy. Accordingly, under 24 CFR 50.19(c)(1), this
final rule is categorically excluded from environmental review under
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321).
List of Subjects
24 CFR Part 200
Administrative practice and procedure, Claims, Equal employment
opportunity, Fair housing, Home improvement, Housing standards,
Incorporation by reference, Lead poisoning, Loan programs--housing and
community development, Minimum property standards, Mortgage insurance,
Organization and functions (Government agencies), Penalties, Reporting
and recordkeeping requirements, Social security, Unemployment
compensation, Wages.
24 CFR Part 257
Administrative procedures, Practice and procedure, Mortgage
insurance, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
24 CFR Part 4000
Loan programs, Mortgage insurance, Access to information.
24 CFR Part 4001
Administrative procedures, Practice and procedure, Mortgage
insurance, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, and under the authority
of 42 U.S.C. 3535(d), amend title 24 of the Code of Federal Regulations
as follows:
PART 200--INTRODUCTION TO FHA PROGRAMS
0
1. The authority citation for part 200 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1702-1715z-21; 42 U.S.C. 3535(d).
0
2. Revise Sec. 200.1301 to read as follows:
Sec. 200.1301 Expiring programs--Savings clause.
(a) No new loan assistance, additional participation, or new loans
are being insured under the programs listed in
[[Page 41424]]
this section. Existing loan assistance, ongoing participation, or
insured loans under the programs shall continue to be governed by
regulations in effect as described in this section.
(b) Any existing loan assistance, ongoing participation, or insured
loans under the programs listed in this paragraph will continue to be
governed by the regulations in effect as they existed immediately
before October 11, 1995 (24 CFR parts 205, 209, 224-228, 240, 277, 278,
1994 edition):
(1) Part 205, Mortgage Insurance for Land Development (Title X of
the National Housing Act, repealed by section 133(a) of the Department
of Housing and Urban Development Reform Act of 1989 (Public Law 101-
235, approved December 15, 1989).
(2) Part 209, Individual Homes; War Housing Mortgage Insurance (12
U.S.C. 1736-1743).
(3) Part 224, Armed Services Housing-Military Personnel (12 U.S.C.
1736-1746a).
(4) Part 225, Military Housing Insurance (12 U.S.C. 1748b).
(5) Part 226, Armed Services Housing-Civilian Employees (12 U.S.C.
1748h-1).
(6) Part 227, Armed Services Housing-Impacted Areas (12 U.S.C.
1478h-2).
(7) Part 228, Individual Residences; National Defense Housing
Mortgage Insurance (12 U.S.C. 1750 as amended by 42 U.S.C. 1591c).
(8) Part 240, Mortgage Insurance on Loans for Fee Title Purchase
(12 U.S.C. 1715z-5).
(9) Part 277, Loans for Housing for the Elderly or Handicapped (12
U.S.C. 1701q).
(10) Part 278, Mandatory Meals Program in Multifamily Rental or
Cooperative Projects for the Elderly or Handicapped (12 U.S.C. 1701q).
(c) Any existing loan assistance, ongoing participation, or insured
loans under the programs listed in this paragraph will continue to be
governed by the regulations in effect as they existed immediately
before May 11, 1996 (24 CFR parts 215, 222, and 237, 1995 edition):
(1) Part 215, Rent Supplement Payments Program (12 U.S.C. 1715f).
(2) Part 222, Service Person's Mortgage Insurance Program (12
U.S.C. 1715m).
(3) Part 237, Special Mortgage Insurance for Low and Moderate
Income Families (12 U.S.C. 1715z-2).
(d) Any existing loan assistance, ongoing participation, or insured
loans under the program listed in this paragraph will continue to be
governed by the regulations in effect as they existed immediately
before December 26, 1996 (24 CFR part 233, 1995 edition):
(1) Part 233, Experimental Housing Mortgage Insurance Program (12
U.S.C. 1715x).
(2) [Reserved]
(e) Any existing loan assistance, ongoing participation, or insured
loans under the program listed in this paragraph will continue to be
governed by the regulations in effect as they existed immediately
before August 15, 2014 (24 CFR part 257):
(1) Part 257, HOPE for Homeowners Program (12 U.S.C. 1701z-22).
(2) [Reserved]
Sec. 200.1302 [Removed]
0
3. Remove Sec. 200.1302.
PART 257 [Removed]
0
4. Remove part 257.
PART 4000 [Removed]
0
5. Remove part 4000.
PART 4001 [Removed]
0
6. Remove part 4001.
Dated: July 8, 2014.
Shaun Donovan,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2014-16613 Filed 7-15-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210-67-P