Notice of Certain Operating Cost Adjustment Factors for 2015, 59502-59504 [2014-23475]

Download as PDF 59502 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 191 / Thursday, October 2, 2014 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement [OMB Control No. 1653–0049] Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request 30-day notice of information collection for review; Suspicious/ Criminal Activity Tip Reporting. ACTION: The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (USICE), will submit the following information collection request for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The information collection is published in the Federal Register to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies. The information collection was previously published in the Federal Register on July 30, 2014, Vol. 79 No. 17964 allowing for a 60 day comment period. USICE received no comments during this period. The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comments. Written comments and suggestions regarding items contained in this notice and especially with regard to the estimated public burden and associated response time should be directed to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget. Comments should be addressed to the OMB Desk Officer for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security, and sent via electronic mail to oira_submission@omb.eop.gov or faxed to (202) 395–5806. Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies concerning the proposed collection of information should address one or more of the following four points: (1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agencies estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. Overview of This Information Collection (1) Type of Information Collection: Extension of a currently approved information collection. (2) Title of the Form/Collection: Suspicious/Criminal Activity Tip Reporting. (3) Agency form number, if any, and the applicable component of the Department of Homeland Security sponsoring the collection: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (4) Affected public who will be asked or required to respond, as well as a brief abstract: Primary: Individuals or Households, Business or other nonprofit. DHS/ICE maintains multiple tools for tip reporting to allow the public and law enforcement partners to report tip information regarding crimes within the jurisdiction of DHS. (5) An estimate of the total number of respondents and the amount of time estimated for an average respondent to respond: Average burden per response (in hours) Number of respondents Form name 66,000 ....................................................... 20 .............................................................. 118,000 ..................................................... Homeland Security Investigations Tip Form ................................................................ Bulk Cash Smuggling Center Contact Form ............................................................... Suspicious Activity Tip Line ......................................................................................... (6) An estimate of the total public burden (in hours) associated with the collection: 22,363 annual burden hours. Dated: September 29, 2014. Scott Elmore, Program Manager, Forms Management Office, Office of the Chief Information Officer, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security. [FR Doc. 2014–23458 Filed 10–1–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9111–28–P This notice establishes operating cost adjustment factors (OCAFs) for project based assistance contracts for eligible multifamily housing projects having an anniversary date on or after February 11, 2015. OCAFs are annual factors used to adjust Section 8 rents renewed under section 524 of the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and Affordability Act of 1997 (MAHRA). SUMMARY: DATES: tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Notice of Certain Operating Cost Adjustment Factors for 2015 Office of the Assistant Secretary for Housing—Federal Housing Commissioner, HUD. ACTION: Notice. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:04 Oct 01, 2014 Jkt 235001 Stan Houle, Housing Program Manager, Office of Housing Assistance and Grant Administration, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW., Washington, DC 20410; telephone number 202–402–2572 (this is not a tollfree number). Hearing- or speechimpaired individuals may access this number through TTY by calling the toll- FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: [Docket No. 5810–N–01] AGENCY: Effective Date: February 11, 2015. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 0.16 0.16 0.10 free Federal Relay Service at 800–877– 8339. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. OCAFs Section 514(e)(2) of MAHRA (42 U.S.C. 1437f note) requires HUD to establish guidelines for rent adjustments based on an OCAF. The statute requiring HUD to establish OCAFs for Low-Income Housing Preservation and Resident Homeownership Act (LIHPRHA) (12 U.S.C. 4101, et seq.) projects and projects with contract renewals or adjustments under section 524(b)(1)(A) of MAHRA is similar in wording and intent. HUD has therefore developed a single factor to be applied uniformly to all projects utilizing OCAFs as the method by which renewal rents are established or adjusted. LIHPRHA projects are low-income housing projects insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). LIHPRHA projects are primarily low- E:\FR\FM\02OCN1.SGM 02OCN1 tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 191 / Thursday, October 2, 2014 / Notices income housing projects insured under section 221(d)(3) below-market interest rate (BMIR) and section 236 of the National Housing Act, respectively. Both categories of projects have lowincome use restrictions that have been extended beyond the 20-year period specified in the original documents, and both categories of projects also receive assistance under section 8 of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937 to support the continued low-income use. MAHRA gives HUD broad discretion in setting OCAFs, referring, for example, in sections 524(a)(4)(C)(i), 524(b)(1)(A), 524(b)(3)(A) and 524(c)(1) simply to ‘‘an operating cost adjustment factor established by the Secretary.’’ The sole limitation to this grant of authority is a specific requirement in each of the foregoing provisions that application of an OCAF ‘‘shall not result in a negative adjustment.’’ Contract rents are adjusted by applying the OCAF to that portion of the rent attributable to operating expenses exclusive of debt service. The OCAFs provided in this notice and applicable to eligible projects having a project based assistance contracts anniversary date of on or after February 11, 2015, are calculated using the same method as those published in HUD’s 2014 OCAF notice published on September 16, 2013 (78 FR 56911). Specifically, OCAFs are calculated as the sum of weighted average cost changes for wages, employee benefits, property taxes, insurance, supplies and equipment, fuel oil, electricity, natural gas, and water/sewer/trash using publicly available indices. The weights used in the OCAF calculations for each of the nine cost component groupings are set using current percentages attributable to each of the nine expense categories. These weights are calculated in the same manner as in HUD’s September 16, 2013, notice. Average expense proportions were calculated using three years of audited Annual Financial Statements from projects covered by OCAFs. The expenditure percentages for these nine categories have been found to be very stable over time, but using three years of data increases their stability. The nine cost component weights were calculated at the state level, which is the lowest level of geographical aggregation with enough projects to permit statistical analysis. These data were not available for the Western Pacific Islands, so data for Hawaii were used as the best available indicator of OCAFs for these areas. The best current price data sources for the nine cost categories were used in calculating annual change factors. Statelevel data for fuel oil, electricity, and natural gas from Department of Energy VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:04 Oct 01, 2014 Jkt 235001 surveys are relatively current and continue to be used. Data on changes in employee benefits, insurance, property taxes, and water/sewer/trash costs are only available at the national level. The data sources for the nine cost indicators selected used were as follows: • Labor Costs: First quarter, 2014 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) ECI, Private Industry Wages and Salaries, All Workers (Series ID CIU2020000000000I) at the national level and Private Industry Benefits, All Workers (Series ID CIU2030000000000I) at the national level. • Property Taxes: Census Quarterly Summary of State and Local Government Tax Revenue—Table 1 https://www2.census.gov/govs/qtax/ 2014/q1t1.xls. 12-month property taxes are computed as the total of four quarters of tax receipts for the period from April through March. Total 12month taxes are then divided by the number of occupied housing units to arrive at average 12-month tax per housing unit. The number of occupied housing units is taken from the estimates program at the Bureau of the Census. https://www.census.gov/ housing/hvs/data/histtab8.xls. • Goods, Supplies, Equipment: May 2013 to May 2014 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Price Index, All Items Less Food, Energy and Shelter (Series ID CUUR0000SA0L12E) at the national level. • Insurance: May 2013 to May 2014 Bureau of Labor Statistic (BLS) Consumer Price Index, Tenants and Household Insurance Index (Series ID CUUR0000SEHD) at the national level. • Fuel Oil: October 2013–March 2014 U.S. Weekly Heating Oil and Propane Prices report. Average weekly residential heating oil prices in cents per gallon excluding taxes for the period from October 7, 2013 through March 17, 2014 are compared to the average from October 1, 2012 through March 18, 2013. For the States with insufficient fuel oil consumption to have separate estimates, the relevant regional Petroleum Administration for Defense Districts (PADD) change between these two periods is used; if there is no regional PADD estimate, the U.S. change between these two periods is used. https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/pet_pri_ wfr_a_EPD2F_prs_dpgal_w.htm. • Electricity: Energy Information Agency, February 2014 ‘‘Electric Power Monthly’’ report, Table 5.6.B. https:// www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/ current_year/february2014.pdf. • Natural Gas: Energy Information Agency, Natural Gas, Residential Energy Price, 2012–2013 annual prices in dollars per 1,000 cubic feet at the state PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 59503 level. Due to EIA data quality standards several states were missing data for one or two months in 2013; in these cases, data for these missing months were estimated using data from the surrounding months in 2013 and the relationship between that same month and the surrounding months in 2012. https://www.eia.gov/dnav/ng/ng_pri_ sum_a_EPG0_PRS_DMcf_a.htm. • Water and Sewer: May 2013 to May 2014 Consumer Price Index, All Urban Consumers, Water and Sewer and Trash Collection Services (Series ID CUUR0000SEHG) at the national level. The sum of the nine cost component percentage weights equals 100 percent of operating costs for purposes of OCAF calculations. To calculate the OCAFs, state-level cost component weights developed from AFS data are multiplied by the selected inflation factors. For instance, if wages in Virginia comprised 50 percent of total operating cost expenses and increased by 4 percent from 2013 to 2014, the wage increase component of the Virginia OCAF for 2015 would be 2.0 percent (50% * 4%). This 2.0 percent would then be added to the increases for the other eight expense categories to calculate the 2015 OCAF for Virginia. The OCAFs for 2015 are included as an Appendix to this Notice. II. MAHRA and LIHPRHA OCAF Procedures MAHRA, as amended, created the Mark-to-Market Program to reduce the cost of federal housing assistance, enhance HUD’s administration of such assistance, and ensure the continued affordability of units in certain multifamily housing projects. Section 524 of MAHRA authorizes renewal of Section 8 project-based assistance contracts for projects without restructuring plans under the Mark-toMarket Program, including projects that are not eligible for a restructuring plan and those for which the owner does not request such a plan. Renewals must be at rents not exceeding comparable market rents except for certain projects. As an example, for Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation projects, other than single room occupancy projects (SROs) under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11301 et seq.), that are eligible for renewal under section 524(b)(3) of MAHRA, the renewal rents are required to be set at the lesser of: (1) The existing rents under the expiring contract, as adjusted by the OCAF; (2) fair market rents (less any amounts allowed for tenantpurchased utilities); or (3) comparable market rents for the market area. E:\FR\FM\02OCN1.SGM 02OCN1 59504 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 191 / Thursday, October 2, 2014 / Notices LIHPRHA (see, in particular, section 222(a)(2)(G)(i), 12 U.S.C. 4112 (a)(2)(G) and HUD’s regulations at 24 CFR 248.145(a)(9)) requires that future rent adjustments for LIHPRHA projects be made by applying an annual factor, to be determined by HUD to the portion of project rent attributable to operating expenses for the project and, where the owner is a priority purchaser, to the portion of project rent attributable to project oversight costs. III. Findings and Certifications Environmental Impact This issuance sets forth rate determinations and related external administrative requirements and procedures that do not constitute a development decision affecting the physical condition of specific project areas or building sites. Accordingly, under 24 CFR 50.19(c)(6), this notice is categorically excluded from environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321). Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number for this program is 14.187. Paperwork Reduction Act This notice reduces information collection requirements already submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501– 3520). 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. Dated: September 26, 2014. Carol J. Galante, Assistant Secretary for Housing-Federal Housing Commissioner. 1.7 2.1 2.1 2.2 2.1 2.7 1.8 2.1 2.4 1.4 2.4 2.4 2.0 2.2 2.1 2.0 2.2 2.0 2.4 2.2 2.0 2.0 2.0 1.8 2.2 1.5 2.0 2.0 2.7 2.2 2.0 2.0 2.4 2.2 2.0 2.4 1.8 2.2 1.6 2.1 2.1 2.1 [FR Doc. 2014–23475 Filed 10–1–14; 8:45 am] 17:04 Oct 01, 2014 Jkt 235001 Effective Date: September 24, 2014. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Angela M.W. Newell (202–708–5409), Office of Investigations, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436. Hearing-impaired individuals are advised that information on this matter can be obtained by contacting the Commission’s TDD terminal on 202– 205–1810. Persons with mobility impairments who will need special assistance in gaining access to the Commission should contact the Office of the Secretary at 202–205–2000. General information concerning the Commission may also be obtained by accessing its Internet server (https:// www.usitc.gov). Authority: This review is being terminated under authority of title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930; this notice is published pursuant to section 207.69 of the Commission’s rules (19 CFR 207.69). Issued: September 29, 2014. By order of the Commission. Lisa R. Barton, Secretary to the Commission. [FR Doc. 2014–23460 Filed 10–1–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7020–02–P DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE [Docket No. 14–01] INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION United States International Trade Commission. ACTION: Notice of termination of fiveyear review. 1.9 2.2 2.0 1.9 2.6 2.0 1.7 1.5 2.3 2.2 2.0 1.5 2.5 DATES: Drug Enforcement Administration AGENCY: Alabama ............................................ Alaska ............................................... Arizona .............................................. Arkansas ........................................... California ........................................... Colorado ........................................... Connecticut ....................................... Delaware ........................................... District of Columbia .......................... Florida ............................................... Georgia ............................................. Hawaii ............................................... Idaho ................................................. 23, 2014, ‘‘{b}ecause the domestic interested parties did not participate in this sunset review . . .’’ (79 FR 56769). Accordingly, pursuant to section 751(c) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1675(c)), the subject review is terminated. BILLING CODE 4210–67–P Certain Tow-Behind Lawn Groomers and Parts Thereof From China OPERATING COST ADJUSTMENT FACTORS FOR 2015 tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Illinois ................................................ Indiana .............................................. Iowa .................................................. Kansas .............................................. Kentucky ........................................... Louisiana .......................................... Maine ................................................ Maryland ........................................... Massachusetts .................................. Michigan ........................................... Minnesota ......................................... Mississippi ........................................ Missouri ............................................ Montana ............................................ Nebraska .......................................... Nevada ............................................. New Hampshire ................................ New Jersey ....................................... New Mexico ...................................... New York .......................................... North Carolina .................................. North Dakota .................................... Ohio .................................................. Oklahoma ......................................... Oregon .............................................. Pacific Islands ................................... Pennsylvania .................................... Puerto Rico ....................................... Rhode Island .................................... South Carolina .................................. South Dakota .................................... Tennessee ........................................ Texas ................................................ Utah .................................................. Vermont ............................................ Virgin Islands .................................... Virginia .............................................. Washington ....................................... West Virginia .................................... Wisconsin ......................................... Wyoming ........................................... US Average ...................................... [Investigation No. 701–TA–457 (Review)] Appendix VerDate Sep<11>2014 OPERATING COST ADJUSTMENT FACTORS FOR 2015—Continued The Commission instituted the subject five-year review in July 2014 to determine whether revocation of the countervailing duty order on certain tow-behind lawn groomers and parts thereof from China would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury (79 FR 37349). On September 23, 2014, the Department of Commerce published notice that it was revoking the order effective September SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 The Medicine Shoppe; Decision and Order On March 24, 2014, Administrative Law Judge Gail A. Randall issued the attached Recommended Decision. Respondent filed Exceptions to the Recommended Decision. Having reviewed the entire record including Respondent’s Exceptions, I have decided to adopt the ALJ’s findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommended order. A discussion of Respondent’s Exceptions follows. Respondent’s Exceptions Respondent raises twelve different exceptions to the ALJ’s decision in no logical order. His contentions can be summarized as follows: (1) That the ALJ failed to consider less punitive sanctions than revocation; E:\FR\FM\02OCN1.SGM 02OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 191 (Thursday, October 2, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59502-59504]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-23475]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. 5810-N-01]


Notice of Certain Operating Cost Adjustment Factors for 2015

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Housing--Federal Housing 
Commissioner, HUD.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: This notice establishes operating cost adjustment factors 
(OCAFs) for project based assistance contracts for eligible multifamily 
housing projects having an anniversary date on or after February 11, 
2015. OCAFs are annual factors used to adjust Section 8 rents renewed 
under section 524 of the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and 
Affordability Act of 1997 (MAHRA).

DATES: Effective Date: February 11, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stan Houle, Housing Program Manager, 
Office of Housing Assistance and Grant Administration, Department of 
Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW., Washington, DC 
20410; telephone number 202-402-2572 (this is not a toll-free number). 
Hearing- or speech-impaired individuals may access this number through 
TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. OCAFs

    Section 514(e)(2) of MAHRA (42 U.S.C. 1437f note) requires HUD to 
establish guidelines for rent adjustments based on an OCAF. The statute 
requiring HUD to establish OCAFs for Low-Income Housing Preservation 
and Resident Homeownership Act (LIHPRHA) (12 U.S.C. 4101, et seq.) 
projects and projects with contract renewals or adjustments under 
section 524(b)(1)(A) of MAHRA is similar in wording and intent. HUD has 
therefore developed a single factor to be applied uniformly to all 
projects utilizing OCAFs as the method by which renewal rents are 
established or adjusted.
    LIHPRHA projects are low-income housing projects insured by the 
Federal Housing Administration (FHA). LIHPRHA projects are primarily 
low-

[[Page 59503]]

income housing projects insured under section 221(d)(3) below-market 
interest rate (BMIR) and section 236 of the National Housing Act, 
respectively. Both categories of projects have low-income use 
restrictions that have been extended beyond the 20-year period 
specified in the original documents, and both categories of projects 
also receive assistance under section 8 of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937 
to support the continued low-income use.
    MAHRA gives HUD broad discretion in setting OCAFs, referring, for 
example, in sections 524(a)(4)(C)(i), 524(b)(1)(A), 524(b)(3)(A) and 
524(c)(1) simply to ``an operating cost adjustment factor established 
by the Secretary.'' The sole limitation to this grant of authority is a 
specific requirement in each of the foregoing provisions that 
application of an OCAF ``shall not result in a negative adjustment.'' 
Contract rents are adjusted by applying the OCAF to that portion of the 
rent attributable to operating expenses exclusive of debt service.
    The OCAFs provided in this notice and applicable to eligible 
projects having a project based assistance contracts anniversary date 
of on or after February 11, 2015, are calculated using the same method 
as those published in HUD's 2014 OCAF notice published on September 16, 
2013 (78 FR 56911). Specifically, OCAFs are calculated as the sum of 
weighted average cost changes for wages, employee benefits, property 
taxes, insurance, supplies and equipment, fuel oil, electricity, 
natural gas, and water/sewer/trash using publicly available indices. 
The weights used in the OCAF calculations for each of the nine cost 
component groupings are set using current percentages attributable to 
each of the nine expense categories. These weights are calculated in 
the same manner as in HUD's September 16, 2013, notice. Average expense 
proportions were calculated using three years of audited Annual 
Financial Statements from projects covered by OCAFs. The expenditure 
percentages for these nine categories have been found to be very stable 
over time, but using three years of data increases their stability. The 
nine cost component weights were calculated at the state level, which 
is the lowest level of geographical aggregation with enough projects to 
permit statistical analysis. These data were not available for the 
Western Pacific Islands, so data for Hawaii were used as the best 
available indicator of OCAFs for these areas.
    The best current price data sources for the nine cost categories 
were used in calculating annual change factors. State-level data for 
fuel oil, electricity, and natural gas from Department of Energy 
surveys are relatively current and continue to be used. Data on changes 
in employee benefits, insurance, property taxes, and water/sewer/trash 
costs are only available at the national level. The data sources for 
the nine cost indicators selected used were as follows:
     Labor Costs: First quarter, 2014 Bureau of Labor 
Statistics (BLS) ECI, Private Industry Wages and Salaries, All Workers 
(Series ID CIU2020000000000I) at the national level and Private 
Industry Benefits, All Workers (Series ID CIU2030000000000I) at the 
national level.
     Property Taxes: Census Quarterly Summary of State and 
Local Government Tax Revenue--Table 1 https://www2.census.gov/govs/qtax/2014/q1t1.xls. 12-month property taxes are computed as the total of 
four quarters of tax receipts for the period from April through March. 
Total 12-month taxes are then divided by the number of occupied housing 
units to arrive at average 12-month tax per housing unit. The number of 
occupied housing units is taken from the estimates program at the 
Bureau of the Census. https://www.census.gov/housing/hvs/data/histtab8.xls.
     Goods, Supplies, Equipment: May 2013 to May 2014 Bureau of 
Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Price Index, All Items Less Food, 
Energy and Shelter (Series ID CUUR0000SA0L12E) at the national level.
     Insurance: May 2013 to May 2014 Bureau of Labor Statistic 
(BLS) Consumer Price Index, Tenants and Household Insurance Index 
(Series ID CUUR0000SEHD) at the national level.
     Fuel Oil: October 2013-March 2014 U.S. Weekly Heating Oil 
and Propane Prices report. Average weekly residential heating oil 
prices in cents per gallon excluding taxes for the period from October 
7, 2013 through March 17, 2014 are compared to the average from October 
1, 2012 through March 18, 2013. For the States with insufficient fuel 
oil consumption to have separate estimates, the relevant regional 
Petroleum Administration for Defense Districts (PADD) change between 
these two periods is used; if there is no regional PADD estimate, the 
U.S. change between these two periods is used. https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/pet_pri_wfr_a_EPD2F_prs_dpgal_w.htm.
     Electricity: Energy Information Agency, February 2014 
``Electric Power Monthly'' report, Table 5.6.B. https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/current_year/february2014.pdf.
     Natural Gas: Energy Information Agency, Natural Gas, 
Residential Energy Price, 2012-2013 annual prices in dollars per 1,000 
cubic feet at the state level. Due to EIA data quality standards 
several states were missing data for one or two months in 2013; in 
these cases, data for these missing months were estimated using data 
from the surrounding months in 2013 and the relationship between that 
same month and the surrounding months in 2012. https://www.eia.gov/dnav/ng/ng_pri_sum_a_EPG0_PRS_DMcf_a.htm.
     Water and Sewer: May 2013 to May 2014 Consumer Price 
Index, All Urban Consumers, Water and Sewer and Trash Collection 
Services (Series ID CUUR0000SEHG) at the national level.
    The sum of the nine cost component percentage weights equals 100 
percent of operating costs for purposes of OCAF calculations. To 
calculate the OCAFs, state-level cost component weights developed from 
AFS data are multiplied by the selected inflation factors. For 
instance, if wages in Virginia comprised 50 percent of total operating 
cost expenses and increased by 4 percent from 2013 to 2014, the wage 
increase component of the Virginia OCAF for 2015 would be 2.0 percent 
(50% * 4%). This 2.0 percent would then be added to the increases for 
the other eight expense categories to calculate the 2015 OCAF for 
Virginia. The OCAFs for 2015 are included as an Appendix to this 
Notice.

II. MAHRA and LIHPRHA OCAF Procedures

    MAHRA, as amended, created the Mark-to-Market Program to reduce the 
cost of federal housing assistance, enhance HUD's administration of 
such assistance, and ensure the continued affordability of units in 
certain multifamily housing projects. Section 524 of MAHRA authorizes 
renewal of Section 8 project-based assistance contracts for projects 
without restructuring plans under the Mark-to-Market Program, including 
projects that are not eligible for a restructuring plan and those for 
which the owner does not request such a plan. Renewals must be at rents 
not exceeding comparable market rents except for certain projects. As 
an example, for Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation projects, other than 
single room occupancy projects (SROs) under the McKinney-Vento Homeless 
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11301 et seq.), that are eligible for renewal 
under section 524(b)(3) of MAHRA, the renewal rents are required to be 
set at the lesser of: (1) The existing rents under the expiring 
contract, as adjusted by the OCAF; (2) fair market rents (less any 
amounts allowed for tenant-purchased utilities); or (3) comparable 
market rents for the market area.

[[Page 59504]]

    LIHPRHA (see, in particular, section 222(a)(2)(G)(i), 12 U.S.C. 
4112 (a)(2)(G) and HUD's regulations at 24 CFR 248.145(a)(9)) requires 
that future rent adjustments for LIHPRHA projects be made by applying 
an annual factor, to be determined by HUD to the portion of project 
rent attributable to operating expenses for the project and, where the 
owner is a priority purchaser, to the portion of project rent 
attributable to project oversight costs.

III. Findings and Certifications

Environmental Impact

    This issuance sets forth rate determinations and related external 
administrative requirements and procedures that do not constitute a 
development decision affecting the physical condition of specific 
project areas or building sites. Accordingly, under 24 CFR 50.19(c)(6), 
this notice is categorically excluded from environmental review under 
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321).

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number

    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number for this program 
is 14.187.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This notice reduces information collection requirements already 
submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520). 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.

    Dated: September 26, 2014.
Carol J. Galante,
Assistant Secretary for Housing-Federal Housing Commissioner.

Appendix

               Operating Cost Adjustment Factors for 2015
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alabama........................................................      1.9
Alaska.........................................................      2.2
Arizona........................................................      2.0
Arkansas.......................................................      1.9
California.....................................................      2.6
Colorado.......................................................      2.0
Connecticut....................................................      1.7
Delaware.......................................................      1.5
District of Columbia...........................................      2.3
Florida........................................................      2.2
Georgia........................................................      2.0
Hawaii.........................................................      1.5
Idaho..........................................................      2.5
Illinois.......................................................      1.7
Indiana........................................................      2.1
Iowa...........................................................      2.1
Kansas.........................................................      2.2
Kentucky.......................................................      2.1
Louisiana......................................................      2.7
Maine..........................................................      1.8
Maryland.......................................................      2.1
Massachusetts..................................................      2.4
Michigan.......................................................      1.4
Minnesota......................................................      2.4
Mississippi....................................................      2.4
Missouri.......................................................      2.0
Montana........................................................      2.2
Nebraska.......................................................      2.1
Nevada.........................................................      2.0
New Hampshire..................................................      2.2
New Jersey.....................................................      2.0
New Mexico.....................................................      2.4
New York.......................................................      2.2
North Carolina.................................................      2.0
North Dakota...................................................      2.0
Ohio...........................................................      2.0
Oklahoma.......................................................      1.8
Oregon.........................................................      2.2
Pacific Islands................................................      1.5
Pennsylvania...................................................      2.0
Puerto Rico....................................................      2.0
Rhode Island...................................................      2.7
South Carolina.................................................      2.2
South Dakota...................................................      2.0
Tennessee......................................................      2.0
Texas..........................................................      2.4
Utah...........................................................      2.2
Vermont........................................................      2.0
Virgin Islands.................................................      2.4
Virginia.......................................................      1.8
Washington.....................................................      2.2
West Virginia..................................................      1.6
Wisconsin......................................................      2.1
Wyoming........................................................      2.1
US Average.....................................................      2.1
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[FR Doc. 2014-23475 Filed 10-1-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210-67-P
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