[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 45 (Friday, March 6, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13041-13045]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-04146]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

24 CFR Parts 28, 30, 87, 180, and 3282

[FR-6196-F-01]


Adjustment of Civil Monetary Penalty Amounts for 2020

AGENCY: Office of the General Counsel, HUD.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: This rule provides for 2020 inflation adjustments of civil 
monetary penalty amounts required by the Federal Civil Penalties 
Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, as amended by the Federal Civil 
Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015.

DATES: Effective date for 2020 inflation adjustment: April 6, 2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Aaron Santa Anna, Acting Associate 
General Counsel, Office of Legislation and Regulations, Office of 
General Counsel, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th 
Street SW, Room 10276, Washington, DC 20024; telephone number 202-402-
5300 (this is not a toll-free number). Hearing- or speech-impaired 
individuals may access this number via TTY by calling the Information 
Relay Service at 800-877-8339 (this is a toll-free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements 
Act of 2015 (the 2015 Act) (Pub. L. 114-74, Sec. 701), which further 
amended the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 
(Pub. L. 101-410), requires agencies to make annual adjustments to 
civil monetary penalty (CMP) amounts for inflation ``notwithstanding 
section 553 of title 5, United States Code.'' Section 553 refers to the 
Administrative Procedure Act, which provides for advance notice and 
public comment on rules. However, as explained in Section III below, 
HUD has

[[Page 13042]]

determined that advance notice and public comment on this final rule is 
unnecessary. This annual adjustment is for 2020.
    The annual adjustment is based on the percent change between the 
U.S. Department of Labor's Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers 
(``CPI-U'') for the month of October preceding the date of the 
adjustment, and the CPI-U for October of the prior year (28 U.S.C. 2461 
note, section (5)(b)(1)). Based on that formula, the cost-of-living 
adjustment multiplier for 2019 is 1.01764.\1\ Pursuant to the 2015 Act, 
adjustments are rounded to the nearest dollar.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Office of Management and Budget, M-20-05, Memorandum for the 
Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies, Implementation of 
Penalty Inflation Adjustments for 2020, Pursuant to the Federal 
Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015. 
(https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/M-20-05.pdf). 
(October 2019 CPI-U (257.346)/October 2018 CPI-U (252.885) = 
1.01764.)
    \2\ 28 U.S.C. 2461 note.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. This Final Rule

    This rule makes the required 2020 inflation adjustment of civil 
penalty amounts. Since HUD is not applying these adjustments 
retroactively, the 2020 increases apply to violations occurring on or 
after this rule's effective date. HUD provides a table showing how, for 
each component, the penalties are being adjusted for 2020 pursuant to 
the 2015 Act. In the first column (``Description''), HUD provides a 
description of the penalty. In the second column (``Statutory 
Citation''), HUD provides the United States Code statutory citation 
providing for the penalty. In the third column (``Regulatory 
Citation''), HUD provides the Code of Federal Regulations citation 
under title 24 for the penalty. In the fourth column (``Previous 
Amount''), HUD provides the amount of the penalty pursuant to the rule 
implementing the 2019 adjustment (84 FR 9451, March 15, 2019). In the 
fifth column (``2020 Adjusted Amount''), HUD lists the penalty after 
applying the 2020 inflation adjustment.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Statutory        Regulatory citation                        2020 Adjusted
          Description                 citation             (24 CFR)          Previous amount         amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
False Claims...................  Omnibus Budget     Sec.   28.10(a).......  $11,463..........  $11,665.
                                  Reconciliation
                                  Act of 1986 (31
                                  U.S.C.
                                  3802(a)(1)).
False Statements...............  Omnibus Budget     Sec.   28.10(b).......  $11,463..........  $11,665.
                                  Reconciliation
                                  Act of 1986 (31
                                  U.S.C.
                                  3802(b)(1)).
Advance Disclosure of Funding..  Department of      Sec.   30.20..........  $20,134..........  $20,489.
                                  Housing and
                                  Urban
                                  Development Act
                                  (42 U.S.C.
                                  3537a(c)).
Disclosure of Subsidy Layering.  Department of      Sec.   30.25..........  $20,134..........  $20,489.
                                  Housing and
                                  Urban
                                  Development Act
                                  (42 U.S.C.
                                  3545(f)).
FHA Mortgagees and Lenders       HUD Reform Act of  Sec.   30.35..........  Per Violation:     Per Violation:
 Violations.                      1989 (12 U.S.C.                            $10,067. Per       $10,245. Per
                                  1735f-14(a)(2)).                           Year: $2,013,399.  Year:
                                                                                                $2,048,915.
Other FHA Participants           HUD Reform Act of  Sec.   30.36..........  Per Violation:     Per Violation:
 Violations.                      1989 (12 U.S.C.                            $10,067. Per       $10,245. Per
                                  1735f-14(a)(2)).                           Year: $2,013,399.  Year:
                                                                                                $2,048,915.
Indian Loan Mortgagees           Housing Community  Sec.   30.40..........  Per Violation:     Per Violation:
 Violations.                      Development Act                            $10,067. Per       $10,245. Per
                                  of 1992 (12                                Year: $2,013,399.  Year:
                                  U.S.C. 1715z-                                                 $2,048,915.
                                  13a(g)(2)).
Multifamily & Section 202 or     HUD Reform Act of  Sec.   30.45..........  $50,334..........  $51,222.
 811 Owners Violations.           1989 (12 U.S.C.
                                  1735f-15(c)(2)).
Ginnie Mae Issuers & Custodians  HUD Reform Act of  Sec.   30.50..........  Per Violation:     Per Violation:
 Violations.                      1989 (12 U.S.C.                            $10,067. Per       $10,245. Per
                                  1723i(b)).                                 Year: $2,013,399.  Year:
                                                                                                $2,048,915.
Title I Broker & Dealers         HUD Reform Act of  Sec.   30.60..........  Per Violation:     Per Violation:
 Violations.                      1989 (12 U.S.C.                            $10,067. Per       $10,245. Per
                                  1703).                                     Year: $2,013,399.  Year:
                                                                                                $2,048,915.
Lead Disclosure Violation......  Title X--          Sec.   30.65..........  $17,834..........  $18,149.
                                  Residential Lead-
                                  Based Paint
                                  Hazard Reduction
                                  Act of 1992 (42
                                  U.S.C.
                                  4852d(b)(1)).
Section 8 Owners Violations....  Multifamily        Sec.   30.68..........  $39,121..........  $39,811.
                                  Assisted Housing
                                  Reform and
                                  Affordability
                                  Act of 1997 (42
                                  U.S.C. 1437z-
                                  1(b)(2)).
Lobbying Violation.............  The Lobbying       Sec.   87.400.........  Min: $20,134.      Min: $20,489.
                                  Disclosure Act                             Max: $201,340.     Max: $204,892.
                                  of 1995 (31
                                  U.S.C. 1352).
Fair Housing Act Civil           Fair Housing Act   Sec.   180.671(a).....  No Priors:         No Priors:
 Penalties.                       (42 U.S.C.                                 $21,039. One       $21,410. One
                                  3612(g)(3)).                               Prior: $52,596.    Prior: $53,524.
                                                                             Two or More        Two or More
                                                                             Priors: $105,194.  Priors:
                                                                                                $107,050.
Manufactured Housing             Housing Community  Sec.   3282.10........  Per Violation:     Per Violation:
 Regulations Violation.           Development Act                            $2,924. Per        $2,976. Per
                                  of 1974 (42                                Year: $3,654,955.  Year:
                                  U.S.C. 5410).                                                 $3,719,428.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

III. Justification for Final Rulemaking for the 2020 Adjustments

    HUD generally publishes regulations for public comment before 
issuing a rule for effect, in accordance with its own regulations on 
rulemaking in 24 CFR part 10. However, part 10 provides for exceptions 
to the general rule if the agency finds good cause to omit advanced 
notice and public participation. The good cause requirement is 
satisfied when prior public procedure is ``impractical, unnecessary, or 
contrary to the public interest'' (see 24 CFR 10.1). As discussed, this 
final rule makes the required 2020 inflation adjustment, which HUD does 
not have discretion to change. Moreover, the 2015 Act specifies that a 
delay in the effective date under the Administrative Procedure Act is 
not required for annual adjustments under the 2015 Act. HUD has 
determined, therefore, that it is unnecessary to delay the 
effectiveness of the 2020 inflation adjustments to solicit public 
comments.
    Section 7(o) of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act 
(42 U.S.C. 3535(o)) requires that any HUD regulation implementing any 
provision of the Department of Housing

[[Page 13043]]

and Urban Development Reform Act of 1989 that authorizes the imposition 
of a civil money penalty may not become effective until after the 
expiration of a public comment period of not less than 60 days. This 
rule does not authorize the imposition of a civil money penalty--
rather, it makes a standard inflation adjustment to penalties that were 
previously authorized. As noted above, the 2020 inflation adjustments 
are made in accordance with a statutorily prescribed formula that does 
not provide for agency discretion. Accordingly, a delay in the 
effectiveness of the 2020 inflation adjustments in order to provide the 
public with an opportunity to comment is unnecessary because the 2015 
Act exempts the adjustments from the need for delay, the rule does not 
authorize the imposition of a civil money penalty, and, in any event, 
HUD would not have the discretion to make changes as a result of any 
comments.

IV. Findings and Certifications

Regulatory Review--Executive Orders 12866 and 13563

    Under Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review) (58 FR 
51735), 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) (76 FR 3821) 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. Executive 
Order 13771 (Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs) (82 
FR 9339) requires that for every new regulation issued, at least two 
prior regulations be identified for removal, and that the cost of 
planned regulations be prudently managed and controlled through a 
budgeting process. As discussed above in this preamble, this final rule 
adjusts existing civil monetary penalties for inflation by a 
statutorily required amount.
    HUD determined that this rule was not significant under Executive 
Order 12866 and Executive Order 13563. Moreover, as this rule is not a 
significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866, it is not 
considered an Executive Order 13771 regulatory action.

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) \3\ 
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 one 
year. If a budgetary impact statement is required, section 205 of UMRA 
also requires an agency to identity and consider a reasonable number of 
regulatory alternatives before promulgating a rule.\4\ However, the 
UMRA applies only to rules for which an agency publishes a general 
notice of proposed rulemaking. As discussed above, HUD has determined, 
for good cause, that prior notice and public comment is not required on 
this rule and, therefore, the UMRA does not apply to this final rule.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ 2 U.S.C. 1532.
    \4\ 2 U.S.C. 1535.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Executive Order 13132, Federalism

    Executive Order 13132 (entitled ``Federalism'') (64 FR 43255) 
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 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, or 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 28

    Administrative practice and procedure, Claims, Fraud, Penalties.

24 CFR Part 30

    Administrative practice and procedure, Grant programs--housing and 
community development, Loan programs--housing and community 
development, Mortgage insurance, Penalties.

24 CFR Part 87

    Government contracts, Grant programs, Loan programs, Lobbying, 
Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

24 CFR Part 180

    Administrative practice and procedure, Aged, Civil rights, Fair 
housing, Investigations, Mortgages, Penalties, Persons with 
disabilities, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

24 CFR Part 3282

    Administrative practice and procedure, Consumer protection, 
Intergovernmental relations, Manufactured homes, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

    Accordingly, for the reasons described in the preamble, HUD amends 
24 CFR parts 28, 30, 87, 180, and 3282 as follows:

PART 28--IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM FRAUD CIVIL REMEDIES ACT OF 
1986

0
1. The authority citation for part 28 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 28 U.S.C. 2461 note; 31 U.S.C. 3801-3812; 42 U.S.C. 
3535(d).


0
2. In Sec.  28.10, revise paragraphs (a)(1) introductory text and 
(b)(1) introductory text to read as follows:

[[Page 13044]]

Sec.  28.10   Basis for civil penalties and assessments.

    (a) * * *
    (1) A civil penalty of not more than $11,665 may be imposed upon 
any person who makes, presents, or submits, or causes to be made, 
presented, or submitted, a claim that the person knows or has reason to 
know:
* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (1) A civil penalty of not more than $11,665 may be imposed upon 
any person who makes, presents, or submits, or causes to be made, 
presented, or submitted, a written statement that:
* * * * *

PART 30--CIVIL MONEY PENALTIES: CERTAIN PROHIBITED CONDUCT

0
3. The authority citation for part 30 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1701q-1, 1703, 1723i, 1735f-14, and 1735f-
15; 15 U.S.C. 1717a; 28 U.S.C. 1 note and 2461 note; 42 U.S.C. 
1437z-1 and 3535(d).


0
4. In Sec.  30.20, revise paragraph (b) to read as follows:


Sec.  30.20   Ethical violations by HUD employees.

* * * * *
    (b) Maximum penalty. The maximum penalty is $20,489 for each 
violation.

0
5. In Sec.  30.25, revise paragraph (b) to read as follows:


Sec.  30.25   Violations by applicants for assistance.

* * * * *
    (b) Maximum penalty. The maximum penalty is $20,489 for each 
violation.

0
6. In Sec.  30.35, revise the first sentence in paragraph (c)(1) to 
read as follows:


Sec.  30.35   Mortgagees and lenders.

* * * * *
    (c)(1) * * * The maximum penalty is $10,245 for each violation, up 
to a limit of $2,048,915 for all violations committed during any one-
year period. * * *
* * * * *

0
7. In Sec.  30.36, revise the first sentence in paragraph (c) to read 
as follows:


Sec.  30.36   Other participants in FHA programs.

* * * * *
    (c) * * * The maximum penalty is $10,245 for each violation, up to 
a limit of $2,048,915 for all violations committed during any one-year 
period. * * *

0
8. In Sec.  30.40, revise the first sentence in paragraph (c) to read 
as follows:


Sec.  30.40   Loan guarantees for Indian housing.

* * * * *
    (c) * * * The maximum penalty is $10,245 for each violation, up to 
a limit of $2,048,915 for all violations committed during any one-year 
period. * * *

0
9. In Sec.  30.45, revise paragraph (g) to read as follows:


Sec.  30.45   Multifamily and section 202 or 811 mortgagors.

* * * * *
    (g) Maximum penalty. The maximum penalty for each violation under 
paragraphs (c) and (f) of this section is $51,222.
* * * * *

0
10. In Sec.  30.50, revise the first sentence in paragraph (c) to read 
as follows:


Sec.  30.50   GNMA issuers and custodians.

* * * * *
    (c) * * * The maximum penalty is $10,245 for each violation, up to 
a limit of $2,048,915 during any one-year period. * * *

0
11. In Sec.  30.60, revise paragraph (c) to read as follows:


Sec.  30.60   Dealers or sponsored third-party originators.

* * * * *
    (c) Amount of penalty. The maximum penalty is $10,245 for each 
violation, up to a limit for any particular person of $2,048,915 during 
any one-year period.

0
12. In Sec.  30.65, revise paragraph (b) to read as follows:


Sec.  30.65   Failure to disclose lead-based paint hazards.

* * * * *
    (b) Amount of penalty. The maximum penalty is $18,149 for each 
violation.

0
13. In Sec.  30.68, revise paragraph (c) to read as follows:


Sec.  30.68   Section 8 owners.

* * * * *
    (c) Maximum penalty. The maximum penalty for each violation under 
this section is $39,811.
* * * * *

PART 87--NEW RESTRICTIONS ON LOBBYING

0
14. The authority citation for part 87 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 28 U.S.C. 1 note; 31 U.S.C. 1352; 42 U.S.C. 3535(d).


0
15. In Sec.  87.400, revise paragraphs (a), (b), and (e) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  87.400   Penalties.

    (a) Any person who makes an expenditure prohibited by this part 
shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $20,489 and not 
more than $204,892 for each such expenditure.
    (b) Any person who fails to file or amend the disclosure form (see 
appendix B of this part) to be filed or amended if required by this 
part, shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $20,489 and 
not more than $204,892 for each such failure.
* * * * *
    (e) First offenders under paragraph (a) or (b) of this section 
shall be subject to a civil penalty of $20,489, absent aggravating 
circumstances. Second and subsequent offenses by persons shall be 
subject to an appropriate civil penalty between $20,489 and $204,892 as 
determined by the agency head or his or her designee.
* * * * *

PART 180--CONSOLIDATED HUD HEARING PROCEDURES FOR CIVIL RIGHTS 
MATTERS

0
16. The authority citation for part 180 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 28 U.S.C. 1 note; 29 U.S.C. 794; 42 U.S.C. 2000d-1, 
3535(d), 3601-3619, 5301-5320, and 6103.


0
17. In Sec.  180.671, revise paragraphs (a)(1) through (3) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  180.671   Assessing civil penalties for Fair Housing Act cases.

    (a) * * *
    (1) $21,410, if the respondent has not been adjudged in any 
administrative hearing or civil action permitted under the Fair Housing 
Act or any state or local fair housing law, or in any licensing or 
regulatory proceeding conducted by a Federal, state, or local 
governmental agency, to have committed any prior discriminatory housing 
practice.
    (2) $53,524, if the respondent has been adjudged in any 
administrative hearing or civil action permitted under the Fair Housing 
Act, or under any state or local fair housing law, or in any licensing 
or regulatory proceeding conducted by a Federal, state, or local 
government agency, to have committed one other discriminatory housing 
practice and the adjudication was made during the 5-year period 
preceding the date of filing of the charge.
    (3) $107,050, if the respondent has been adjudged in any 
administrative hearings or civil actions permitted under the Fair 
Housing Act, or under any state or local fair housing law, or in any 
licensing or regulatory proceeding conducted by a Federal, state, or 
local government agency, to have committed two or more discriminatory 
housing

[[Page 13045]]

practices and the adjudications were made during the 7-year period 
preceding the date of filing of the charge.
* * * * *

PART 3282--MANUFACTURED HOME PROCEDURAL AND ENFORCEMENT REGULATIONS

0
18. The authority citation for part 3282 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 2697, 42 U.S.C. 3535(d), 5403, and 5424.


0
19. Revise Sec.  3282.10 to read as follows:


Sec.  3282.10   Civil and criminal penalties.

    Failure to comply with this part may subject the party in question 
to the civil and criminal penalties provided for in section 611 of the 
Act, 42 U.S.C. 5410. The maximum amount of penalties imposed under 
section 611 of the Act shall be $2,976 for each violation, up to a 
maximum of $3,719,428 for any related series of violations occurring 
within one year from the date of the first violation.

    Dated: February 13, 2020.
J. Paul Compton, Jr.,
General Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2020-04146 Filed 3-5-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210-67-P