[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 166 (Friday, August 27, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46843-46844]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-22362]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

24 CFR Part 103

[Docket No. FR-4433-F-02]
RIN 2529-AA86


Fair Housing Complaint Processing; Plain Language Revision and 
Reorganization

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal 
Opportunity, HUD.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This final rule adopts an interim rule, published in the 
Federal Register on April 14, 1999, that revised HUD's regulations 
concerning the processing of fair housing complaints.

DATES: Effective Date: September 27, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roy Rodriguez, Acting Director, Office 
of Enforcement, Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, U.S. 
Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 Seventh Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20410-2000; telephone (202) 708-0836 (this is not a 
toll-free number). Hearing or speech impaired individuals may access 
this number via TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Information Relay 
Service at (800) 877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    On April 14, 1999, HUD published in the Federal Register an interim 
rule (64 FR 18538) that revised HUD's fair housing complaint processing 
regulations. The interim rule revised these regulations in two ways. 
First, the sections of HUD's regulations that addressed the filing of 
complaints were rewritten using plain language. Plain language is an 
approach to writing that promotes responsive, accessible, and 
understandable written communication. Second, the sections of HUD's 
regulations that addressed the investigation of complaints were moved 
to another place in the regulations. We revised these regulations to 
make the procedures for filing housing discrimination complaints easier 
to understand.
    The interim rule solicited comments from the public on these 
revisions and included a 60-day public comment period. The public 
comment period closed on June 14, 1999. We received no comments on the 
interim rule. This final rule adopts the interim rule without change.

[[Page 46844]]

II. Findings and Certifications

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 
1531-1538) (UMRA) requires Federal agencies to assess the effects of 
their regulatory actions on State, local, and tribal governments and on 
the private sector. This final rule does not impose, within the meaning 
of the UMRA, any Federal mandates on any State, local, or, tribal 
governments or on the private sector.

Environmental Impact

    This final rule concerns fair housing enforcement procedures. 
Accordingly, under 24 CFR 50.19(c)(3), this final rule is categorically 
excluded from environmental review under the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321).

Impact on Small Entities

    The Secretary has reviewed this final rule before publication and 
by approving it certifies, in accordance with the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 605(b)), that this final rule would not have 
a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. This final rule adopts an interim rule, published in the 
Federal Register on April 14, 1999, that revised HUD's regulations 
concerning the processing of fair housing complaints.

Federalism Impact

    The General Counsel, as the Designated Official under section 6(a) 
of Executive Order 12612 (entitled ``Federalism''), has determined that 
the policies contained in this final rule do not have substantial 
direct effects on States or their political subdivisions, on the 
relationship between the Federal government and the States, or on the 
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of 
government.

List of Subjects in 24 CFR Part 103

    Administrative practice and procedure, Aged, Fair housing, 
Individuals with disabilities, Intergovernmental relations, 
Investigations, Mortgages, Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

PART 103--FAIR HOUSING--COMPLAINT PROCESSING

    Accordingly, the interim rule amending 24 CFR part 103, which was 
published at 64 FR 18538 on April 14, 1999, is adopted as a final rule 
without change.

    Dated: August 13, 1999.
Eva M. Plaza,
Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing
and Equal Opportunity.
[FR Doc. 99-22362 Filed 8-26-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210-28-P