Fair Housing Complaint Processing; Plain Language Revision and Reorganization

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]

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