83_FR_28679 83 FR 28560 - Reconsideration of HUD's Implementation of the Fair Housing Act's Disparate Impact Standard

83 FR 28560 - Reconsideration of HUD's Implementation of the Fair Housing Act's Disparate Impact Standard

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 119 (June 20, 2018)

Page Range28560-28562
FR Document2018-13340

This advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) invites public comment on possible amendments to HUD's 2013 final rule implementing the Fair Housing Act's disparate impact standard, as well as the 2016 supplement to HUD's responses to certain insurance industry comments made during the rulemaking. HUD is reviewing the final rule and supplement to determine what changes, if any, are appropriate following the Supreme Court's 2015 ruling in Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs v. Inclusive Communities Project, Inc., which held that disparate impact claims were cognizable under the Fair Housing Act and discussed standards for, and the constitutional limitations on, such claims. As HUD conducts its review, it is soliciting public comment on the disparate impact standard set forth in the final rule and supplement, the burden-shifting approach, the relevant definitions, the causation standard, and whether changes to these or other provisions of the rule would be appropriate. HUD is also issuing this ANPR in response to public comments submitted on its May 15, 2017, Federal Register document seeking input on ineffective regulations and an October 26, 2017, recommendation from the Department of the Treasury.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 119 (Wednesday, June 20, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 119 (Wednesday, June 20, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 28560-28562]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-13340]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

24 CFR Part 100

[Docket No. FR-6111-A-01]
RIN 2529-ZA01


Reconsideration of HUD's Implementation of the Fair Housing Act's 
Disparate Impact Standard

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

ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking.

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

SUMMARY: This advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) invites 
public comment on possible amendments to HUD's 2013 final rule 
implementing the Fair Housing Act's disparate impact standard, as well 
as the 2016 supplement to HUD's responses to certain insurance industry 
comments made during the rulemaking. HUD is reviewing the final rule 
and supplement to determine what changes, if any, are appropriate 
following the Supreme Court's 2015 ruling in Texas Department of 
Housing and Community Affairs v. Inclusive Communities Project, Inc., 
which held that disparate impact claims were cognizable under the Fair 
Housing Act and discussed standards for, and the constitutional 
limitations on, such claims. As HUD conducts its review, it is 
soliciting public comment on the disparate impact standard set forth in 
the final rule and supplement, the burden-shifting approach, the 
relevant definitions, the causation standard, and whether changes to 
these or other provisions of the rule would be appropriate. HUD is also 
issuing this ANPR in response to public comments submitted on its May 
15, 2017, Federal Register document seeking input on ineffective 
regulations and an October 26, 2017, recommendation from the Department 
of the Treasury.

DATES: Comment Due Date: August 20, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments to the 
Office of the General Counsel, Rules Docket Clerk, Department of 
Housing and Urban Development, 451 Seventh Street SW, Room 10276, 
Washington, DC 20410-0001. Communications should refer to the above 
docket number and title and should contain the information specified in 
the ``Request for Comments'' section. There are two methods for 
submitting public comments.
    1. Submission of Comments by Mail. Comments may be submitted by 
mail to the Regulations Division, Office of General Counsel, Department 
of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW, Room 10276, 
Washington, DC 20410-0500. Due to security measures at all federal 
agencies, however, submission of comments by mail often results in 
delayed delivery. To ensure timely receipt of comments, HUD recommends 
that comments submitted by mail be submitted at least two weeks in 
advance of the public comment deadline.
    2. Electronic Submission of Comments. Interested persons may submit 
comments electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at 
http://www.regulations.gov. HUD strongly encourages commenters to 
submit comments electronically. Electronic submission of comments 
allows the commenter maximum time to prepare and submit a comment, 
ensures timely receipt by HUD, and enables HUD to make comments 
immediately available to the public. Comments submitted electronically 
through the http://www.regulations.gov website can be viewed by other 
commenters and interested members of the public. Commenters should 
follow instructions provided on that site to submit comments 
electronically.

    Note:  To receive consideration as public comments, comments 
must be submitted through one of the two methods specified

[[Page 28561]]

above. Again, all submissions must refer to the docket number and 
title of the document.

    No Facsimile Comments. Facsimile (fax) comments are not acceptable.
    Public Inspection of Comments. All comments and communications 
submitted to HUD will be available for public inspection and copying 
between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays at the above address. Due to 
security measures at the HUD Headquarters building, an advance 
appointment to review the public comments must be scheduled by calling 
the Regulations Division at (202) 708-3055 (this is not a toll-free 
number). Copies of all comments submitted are available for inspection 
and downloading at http://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Krista Mills, Deputy Assistant 
Secretary, Office of Policy, Legislative Initiatives, and Outreach, 
Office Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, Department of Housing and 
Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW, Room 5246, Washington, DC 20410; 
telephone number 202-402-6577. Individuals with hearing or speech 
impediments may access this number via TTY by calling the toll-free 
Federal Relay Service during working hours at 1-800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, as amended (Fair 
Housing Act or Act),\1\ prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, 
or financing of dwellings and in other housing-related activities on 
the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, 
or national origin. On February 15, 2013, HUD published a final rule, 
entitled ``Implementation of the Fair Housing Act's Discriminatory 
Effects Standard.'' \2\ The final rule codified HUD's interpretation 
that the Fair Housing Act creates liability for practices with an 
unjustified discriminatory effect, even if those practices were not 
motivated by discriminatory intent.\3\ Relying in part on case law 
under the Fair Housing Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 
1964 (prohibiting employment discrimination), HUD's Disparate Impact 
Rule established a burden-shifting framework for analyzing claims of 
disparate impact under the Fair Housing Act.\4\ In 2016, HUD published 
a supplement to its responses to certain insurance industry comments 
made during the rulemaking.\5\ This ANPR uses the term ``Disparate 
Impact Rule'' to refer collectively to the 2013 final rule and 2016 
supplement.
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    \1\ 42 U.S.C. 3601-3619, 3631.
    \2\ 78 FR 11460.
    \3\ See 24 CFR 100.5(b), 100.70(d)(5), 100.120(b), 100.130(b), 
and 100.500.
    \4\ See 24 CFR 100.500(c).
    \5\ See ``Application of the Fair Housing Act's Discriminatory 
Effects Standard to Insurance,'' 81 FR 69012 (Oct. 5, 2016).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In 2015, in Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs v. 
Inclusive Communities Project, Inc.,\6\ (Inclusive Communities), the 
Supreme Court held that disparate impact claims are cognizable under 
the Fair Housing Act. The Court's opinion referenced HUD's Disparate 
Impact Rule, but the Court did not extensively review the rule or rely 
on it for its holding. Rather, the Court undertook its own analysis of 
the Fair Housing Act and discussed the standards for, and 
constitutional limitations on, disparate impact claims. The Supreme 
Court's ruling in Inclusive Communities recognized the availability of 
disparate impact claims under the Fair Housing Act independent of HUD's 
Disparate Impact Rule. HUD is reviewing the Disparate Impact Rule to 
determine what changes, if any, may be necessary in light of the 
Inclusive Communities decision. As it conducts this review, HUD 
welcomes public comment on other amendments to the Disparate Impact 
Rule that may be necessary or helpful.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ 135 S. Ct. 2507 (2015).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The request for comments contained in this ANPR is also consistent 
with HUD's efforts to carry out the Administration's regulatory reform 
efforts. On May 15, 2017, HUD published a Federal Register document 
pursuant to Executive Orders 13771, ``Reducing Regulation and 
Controlling Regulatory Costs,'' and 13777, ``Enforcing the Regulatory 
Reform Agenda,'' inviting public comments to assist HUD in identifying 
existing regulations that may be outdated, ineffective, or excessively 
burdensome.\7\ In response, HUD received numerous comments asserting 
that the Disparate Impact Rule created uncertainty for commercial 
decisionmaking, as well as public policymaking, and that the rule is 
inconsistent with Inclusive Communities. On the other hand, HUD also 
received comments in support of the Disparate Impact Rule, asserting 
that it was cited in Inclusive Communities and is consistent with that 
decision. Additionally, in October 2017, the Secretary of the Treasury 
issued a report that explicitly recommended that HUD reconsider 
applications of the Disparate Impact Rule, especially in the context of 
the insurance industry.\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ 82 FR 22344.
    \8\ See U.S. Department of the Treasury Report: A Financial 
System That Creates Economic Opportunities, Asset Management and 
Insurance (Oct. 26, 2017), available at: https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Documents/A-Financial-System-That-Creates-Economic-Opportunities-Asset_Management-Insurance.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In light of Inclusive Communities, public comments submitted in 
response to HUD's May 15, 2017, Federal Register document, and the 
recommendation from the Department of the Treasury, HUD is seeking 
public comment on whether the Disparate Impact Rule should be revised 
for any considerations of law or policy raised in those fora or that 
are otherwise appropriate.

II. This Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

    HUD seeks public comment on appropriate changes, if any, to the 
Disparate Impact Rule. While the following list is not exhaustive, HUD 
is particularly interested in comments on the following questions:
    1. Does the Disparate Impact Rule's burden of proof standard for 
each of the three steps of its burden-shifting framework clearly assign 
burdens of production and burdens of persuasion, and are such burdens 
appropriately assigned?
    2. Are the second and third steps of the Disparate Impact Rule's 
burden-shifting framework sufficient to ensure that only challenged 
practices that are artificial, arbitrary, and unnecessary barriers 
result in disparate impact liability?
    3. Does the Disparate Impacts Rule's definition of ``discriminatory 
effect'' in 24 CFR 100.500(a) in conjunction with the burden of proof 
for stating a prima facie case in 24 CFR 100.500(c) strike the proper 
balance in encouraging legal action for legitimate disparate impact 
cases while avoiding unmeritorious claims?
    4. Should the Disparate Impact Rule be amended to clarify the 
causality standard for stating a prima facie case under Inclusive 
Communities and other Supreme Court rulings?
    5. Should the Disparate Impact Rule provide defenses or safe 
harbors to claims of disparate impact liability (such as, for example, 
when another federal statute substantially limits a defendant's 
discretion or another federal statute requires adherence to state 
statutes)?
    6. Are there revisions to the Disparate Impact Rule that could add 
to the clarity, reduce uncertainty, decrease regulatory burden, or 
otherwise assist the regulated entities and other members of the public 
in determining what is lawful?

[[Page 28562]]

II. Findings and Certifications

Environmental Impact

    This ANPR is exclusively concerned with nondiscrimination 
standards. Accordingly, under 24 CFR 50.19(c)(3), it is categorically 
excluded from environmental review under the National Environmental 
Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321-4347).

Regulatory Review--Executive Orders 12866 and 13563

    Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review), 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) 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. This ANPR was reviewed by OMB and determined to likely result 
in a ``significant regulatory action,'' as defined in section 3(f) of 
Executive Order 12866.

    Dated: June 18, 2018.
Anna Maria Far[iacute]as,
Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity.
[FR Doc. 2018-13340 Filed 6-18-18; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 4210-67-P



                                                  28560                 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 119 / Wednesday, June 20, 2018 / Proposed Rules

                                                  159979 (installation of non-data-loadable                  (2) For more information about this AD,             public comment on the disparate impact
                                                  ELAC L99 P/N 3945128217).                               contact Sanjay Ralhan, Aerospace Engineer,             standard set forth in the final rule and
                                                     (ii) Airbus mod 160577 (installation of              International Section, Transport Standards             supplement, the burden-shifting
                                                  data-loadable ELAC P/N 3945129100 unit                  Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des
                                                                                                                                                                 approach, the relevant definitions, the
                                                  with L101 software P/N 3945129112) or mod               Moines, WA 98198; telephone 206–231–
                                                                                                          3223; fax 206–231–3398.                                causation standard, and whether
                                                  162042 (installation of non-data-loadable
                                                  ELAC L101 P/N 3945128218).                                 (3) For service information identified in           changes to these or other provisions of
                                                     (2) An airplane on which any modification            this AD, contact Airbus, Airworthiness                 the rule would be appropriate. HUD is
                                                  specified in paragraphs (k)(2)(i), (k)(2)(ii), or       Office—EIAS, 1 Rond Point Maurice                      also issuing this ANPR in response to
                                                  (k)(2)(iii) of this AD was done is not affected         Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France;                 public comments submitted on its May
                                                  by the requirements of paragraph (h) of this            telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61              15, 2017, Federal Register document
                                                  AD, provided it is determined that no                   93 44 51; email account.airworth-eas@                  seeking input on ineffective regulations
                                                  affected ELAC is installed as of the effective          airbus.com; internet http://www.airbus.com.            and an October 26, 2017,
                                                  date of this AD.                                        You may view this service information at the
                                                                                                                                                                 recommendation from the Department
                                                     (i) A modification specified in Airbus               FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200
                                                                                                          South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For                   of the Treasury.
                                                  Service Bulletin A320–27–1267, Revision 00,
                                                  dated September 27, 2017 (ELAC L101 P/N                 information on the availability of this                DATES:   Comment Due Date: August 20,
                                                  3945128218 non-data-loadable).                          material at the FAA, call 206–231–3195. You            2018.
                                                     (ii) A modification specified in Airbus              may view this service information at the
                                                  Service Bulletin A320–27–1268, Revision 00,             FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200                  ADDRESSES:   Interested persons are
                                                  dated September 27, 2017 (ELAC P/N                      South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For                   invited to submit comments to the
                                                  3945129100 data-loadable with L101                      information on the availability of this                Office of the General Counsel, Rules
                                                  software P/N 3945129112 for A320 NEO).                  material at the FAA, call 206–231–3195.                Docket Clerk, Department of Housing
                                                     (iii) A modification specified in Airbus                Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on June           and Urban Development, 451 Seventh
                                                  Service Bulletin A320–27–1269, Revision 00,             7, 2018.                                               Street SW, Room 10276, Washington,
                                                  dated September 27, 2017 (ELAC P/N                                                                             DC 20410–0001. Communications
                                                  3945129100 data-loadable with L101                      Michael Kaszycki,
                                                                                                          Acting Director, System Oversight Division,            should refer to the above docket number
                                                  software P/N 3945129112).
                                                                                                          Aircraft Certification Service.                        and title and should contain the
                                                  (l) Terminating Action for AD 2016–17–03
                                                                                                          [FR Doc. 2018–12885 Filed 6–19–18; 8:45 am]            information specified in the ‘‘Request
                                                     Accomplishing the actions required by                BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
                                                                                                                                                                 for Comments’’ section. There are two
                                                  paragraph (h) of this AD or complying with                                                                     methods for submitting public
                                                  any method of compliance specified in                                                                          comments.
                                                  paragraph (k) of this AD terminates all                                                                           1. Submission of Comments by Mail.
                                                  requirements of AD 2016–17–03.                          DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND
                                                                                                          URBAN DEVELOPMENT                                      Comments may be submitted by mail to
                                                  (m) Other FAA AD Provisions                                                                                    the Regulations Division, Office of
                                                    The following provisions also apply to this           24 CFR Part 100                                        General Counsel, Department of
                                                  AD:                                                                                                            Housing and Urban Development, 451
                                                    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance                 [Docket No. FR–6111–A–01]                              7th Street SW, Room 10276,
                                                  (AMOCs): The Manager, International                     RIN 2529–ZA01                                          Washington, DC 20410–0500. Due to
                                                  Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA,                                                                      security measures at all federal agencies,
                                                  has the authority to approve AMOCs for this             Reconsideration of HUD’s                               however, submission of comments by
                                                  AD, if requested using the procedures found             Implementation of the Fair Housing                     mail often results in delayed delivery.
                                                  in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR              Act’s Disparate Impact Standard
                                                  39.19, send your request to your principal                                                                     To ensure timely receipt of comments,
                                                  inspector or local Flight Standards District            AGENCY:  Office of the Assistant                       HUD recommends that comments
                                                  Office, as appropriate. If sending information          Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal                   submitted by mail be submitted at least
                                                  directly to the International Section, send it          Opportunity, HUD.                                      two weeks in advance of the public
                                                  to the attention of the person identified in                                                                   comment deadline.
                                                  paragraph (n)(2) of this AD. Information may            ACTION: Advance notice of proposed
                                                                                                          rulemaking.                                               2. Electronic Submission of
                                                  be emailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOC-
                                                                                                                                                                 Comments. Interested persons may
                                                  REQUESTS@faa.gov. Before using any
                                                  approved AMOC, notify your appropriate                  SUMMARY:    This advance notice of                     submit comments electronically through
                                                  principal inspector, or lacking a principal             proposed rulemaking (ANPR) invites                     the Federal eRulemaking Portal at
                                                  inspector, the manager of the local flight              public comment on possible                             http://www.regulations.gov. HUD
                                                  standards district office/certificate holding           amendments to HUD’s 2013 final rule                    strongly encourages commenters to
                                                  district office.                                        implementing the Fair Housing Act’s                    submit comments electronically.
                                                    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any              disparate impact standard, as well as the              Electronic submission of comments
                                                  requirement in this AD to obtain corrective             2016 supplement to HUD’s responses to                  allows the commenter maximum time to
                                                  actions from a manufacturer, the action must                                                                   prepare and submit a comment, ensures
                                                                                                          certain insurance industry comments
                                                  be accomplished using a method approved
                                                                                                          made during the rulemaking. HUD is                     timely receipt by HUD, and enables
                                                  by the Manager, International Section,
                                                  Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or EASA;               reviewing the final rule and supplement                HUD to make comments immediately
                                                  or Airbus’s EASA DOA. If approved by the                to determine what changes, if any, are                 available to the public. Comments
                                                  DOA, the approval must include the DOA-                 appropriate following the Supreme                      submitted electronically through the
                                                  authorized signature.                                   Court’s 2015 ruling in Texas                           http://www.regulations.gov website can
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                                                                                                          Department of Housing and Community                    be viewed by other commenters and
                                                  (n) Related Information
                                                                                                          Affairs v. Inclusive Communities                       interested members of the public.
                                                    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing                                                                            Commenters should follow instructions
                                                                                                          Project, Inc., which held that disparate
                                                  Airworthiness Information (MCAI) EASA AD                                                                       provided on that site to submit
                                                  2018–0007R1, dated January 19, 2018, for                impact claims were cognizable under
                                                  related information. This MCAI may be                   the Fair Housing Act and discussed                     comments electronically.
                                                  found in the AD docket on the internet at               standards for, and the constitutional                    Note: To receive consideration as public
                                                  http://www.regulations.gov by searching for             limitations on, such claims. As HUD                    comments, comments must be submitted
                                                  and locating Docket No. FAA–2018–0556.                  conducts its review, it is soliciting                  through one of the two methods specified



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                                                                         Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 119 / Wednesday, June 20, 2018 / Proposed Rules                                                28561

                                                  above. Again, all submissions must refer to             during the rulemaking.5 This ANPR                        In light of Inclusive Communities,
                                                  the docket number and title of the document.            uses the term ‘‘Disparate Impact Rule’’                public comments submitted in response
                                                     No Facsimile Comments. Facsimile                     to refer collectively to the 2013 final                to HUD’s May 15, 2017, Federal
                                                  (fax) comments are not acceptable.                      rule and 2016 supplement.                              Register document, and the
                                                     Public Inspection of Comments. All                      In 2015, in Texas Department of                     recommendation from the Department
                                                  comments and communications                             Housing and Community Affairs v.                       of the Treasury, HUD is seeking public
                                                  submitted to HUD will be available for                  Inclusive Communities Project, Inc.,6                  comment on whether the Disparate
                                                  public inspection and copying between                   (Inclusive Communities), the Supreme                   Impact Rule should be revised for any
                                                  8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays at the above                 Court held that disparate impact claims                considerations of law or policy raised in
                                                  address. Due to security measures at the                are cognizable under the Fair Housing                  those fora or that are otherwise
                                                  HUD Headquarters building, an advance                   Act. The Court’s opinion referenced                    appropriate.
                                                  appointment to review the public                        HUD’s Disparate Impact Rule, but the
                                                                                                          Court did not extensively review the                   II. This Advance Notice of Proposed
                                                  comments must be scheduled by calling
                                                                                                          rule or rely on it for its holding. Rather,            Rulemaking
                                                  the Regulations Division at (202) 708–
                                                  3055 (this is not a toll-free number).                  the Court undertook its own analysis of                   HUD seeks public comment on
                                                  Copies of all comments submitted are                    the Fair Housing Act and discussed the                 appropriate changes, if any, to the
                                                  available for inspection and                            standards for, and constitutional                      Disparate Impact Rule. While the
                                                  downloading at http://                                  limitations on, disparate impact claims.               following list is not exhaustive, HUD is
                                                  www.regulations.gov.                                    The Supreme Court’s ruling in Inclusive                particularly interested in comments on
                                                                                                          Communities recognized the availability                the following questions:
                                                  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                                                                          of disparate impact claims under the                      1. Does the Disparate Impact Rule’s
                                                  Krista Mills, Deputy Assistant Secretary,
                                                                                                          Fair Housing Act independent of HUD’s                  burden of proof standard for each of the
                                                  Office of Policy, Legislative Initiatives,
                                                                                                          Disparate Impact Rule. HUD is                          three steps of its burden-shifting
                                                  and Outreach, Office Fair Housing and
                                                                                                          reviewing the Disparate Impact Rule to                 framework clearly assign burdens of
                                                  Equal Opportunity, Department of
                                                                                                          determine what changes, if any, may be                 production and burdens of persuasion,
                                                  Housing and Urban Development, 451
                                                                                                          necessary in light of the Inclusive                    and are such burdens appropriately
                                                  7th Street SW, Room 5246, Washington,
                                                                                                          Communities decision. As it conducts                   assigned?
                                                  DC 20410; telephone number 202–402–                                                                               2. Are the second and third steps of
                                                  6577. Individuals with hearing or                       this review, HUD welcomes public
                                                                                                          comment on other amendments to the                     the Disparate Impact Rule’s burden-
                                                  speech impediments may access this
                                                                                                          Disparate Impact Rule that may be                      shifting framework sufficient to ensure
                                                  number via TTY by calling the toll-free
                                                                                                          necessary or helpful.                                  that only challenged practices that are
                                                  Federal Relay Service during working
                                                                                                             The request for comments contained                  artificial, arbitrary, and unnecessary
                                                  hours at 1–800–877–8339.
                                                                                                          in this ANPR is also consistent with                   barriers result in disparate impact
                                                  SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                              HUD’s efforts to carry out the                         liability?
                                                  I. Background                                           Administration’s regulatory reform                        3. Does the Disparate Impacts Rule’s
                                                                                                          efforts. On May 15, 2017, HUD                          definition of ‘‘discriminatory effect’’ in
                                                     Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of
                                                                                                          published a Federal Register document                  24 CFR 100.500(a) in conjunction with
                                                  1968, as amended (Fair Housing Act or
                                                                                                          pursuant to Executive Orders 13771,                    the burden of proof for stating a prima
                                                  Act),1 prohibits discrimination in the
                                                                                                          ‘‘Reducing Regulation and Controlling                  facie case in 24 CFR 100.500(c) strike
                                                  sale, rental, or financing of dwellings
                                                                                                          Regulatory Costs,’’ and 13777,                         the proper balance in encouraging legal
                                                  and in other housing-related activities
                                                                                                          ‘‘Enforcing the Regulatory Reform                      action for legitimate disparate impact
                                                  on the basis of race, color, religion, sex,
                                                                                                          Agenda,’’ inviting public comments to                  cases while avoiding unmeritorious
                                                  disability, familial status, or national
                                                                                                          assist HUD in identifying existing                     claims?
                                                  origin. On February 15, 2013, HUD
                                                                                                          regulations that may be outdated,                         4. Should the Disparate Impact Rule
                                                  published a final rule, entitled
                                                                                                          ineffective, or excessively burdensome.7               be amended to clarify the causality
                                                  ‘‘Implementation of the Fair Housing
                                                                                                          In response, HUD received numerous                     standard for stating a prima facie case
                                                  Act’s Discriminatory Effects
                                                                                                          comments asserting that the Disparate                  under Inclusive Communities and other
                                                  Standard.’’ 2 The final rule codified
                                                                                                          Impact Rule created uncertainty for                    Supreme Court rulings?
                                                  HUD’s interpretation that the Fair
                                                                                                          commercial decisionmaking, as well as                     5. Should the Disparate Impact Rule
                                                  Housing Act creates liability for
                                                                                                          public policymaking, and that the rule                 provide defenses or safe harbors to
                                                  practices with an unjustified
                                                                                                          is inconsistent with Inclusive                         claims of disparate impact liability
                                                  discriminatory effect, even if those
                                                                                                          Communities. On the other hand, HUD                    (such as, for example, when another
                                                  practices were not motivated by
                                                                                                          also received comments in support of                   federal statute substantially limits a
                                                  discriminatory intent.3 Relying in part
                                                                                                          the Disparate Impact Rule, asserting that              defendant’s discretion or another federal
                                                  on case law under the Fair Housing Act
                                                                                                          it was cited in Inclusive Communities                  statute requires adherence to state
                                                  and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of
                                                                                                          and is consistent with that decision.                  statutes)?
                                                  1964 (prohibiting employment
                                                                                                          Additionally, in October 2017, the                        6. Are there revisions to the Disparate
                                                  discrimination), HUD’s Disparate
                                                                                                          Secretary of the Treasury issued a report              Impact Rule that could add to the
                                                  Impact Rule established a burden-
                                                                                                          that explicitly recommended that HUD                   clarity, reduce uncertainty, decrease
                                                  shifting framework for analyzing claims
                                                                                                          reconsider applications of the Disparate               regulatory burden, or otherwise assist
                                                  of disparate impact under the Fair
                                                                                                          Impact Rule, especially in the context of              the regulated entities and other
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                                                  Housing Act.4 In 2016, HUD published
                                                                                                          the insurance industry.8                               members of the public in determining
                                                  a supplement to its responses to certain
                                                                                                                                                                 what is lawful?
                                                  insurance industry comments made                          5 See ‘‘Application of the Fair Housing Act’s

                                                                                                          Discriminatory Effects Standard to Insurance,’’ 81     Opportunities, Asset Management and Insurance
                                                    1 42 U.S.C. 3601–3619, 3631.                          FR 69012 (Oct. 5, 2016).                               (Oct. 26, 2017), available at: https://
                                                    2 78 FR 11460.                                          6 135 S. Ct. 2507 (2015).
                                                                                                                                                                 www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/
                                                    3 See 24 CFR 100.5(b), 100.70(d)(5), 100.120(b),        7 82 FR 22344.
                                                                                                                                                                 Documents/A-Financial-System-That-Creates-
                                                  100.130(b), and 100.500.                                  8 See U.S. Department of the Treasury Report: A      Economic-Opportunities-Asset_Management-
                                                    4 See 24 CFR 100.500(c).                              Financial System That Creates Economic                 Insurance.pdf.



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                                                  28562                 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 119 / Wednesday, June 20, 2018 / Proposed Rules

                                                  II. Findings and Certifications                         Derricks in Construction: Operator                     Data Center, Room N–3653, OSHA, U.S.
                                                                                                          Qualification.’’ The period for                        Department of Labor, 200 Constitution
                                                  Environmental Impact
                                                                                                          submitting public comments is being                    Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20210;
                                                     This ANPR is exclusively concerned                   extended by 15 days to allow parties                   telephone: (202) 693–2350, TTY
                                                  with nondiscrimination standards.                       affected by the rule additional time to                number: (877) 889–5627. Contact the
                                                  Accordingly, under 24 CFR 50.19(c)(3),                  review the proposed rule and collect                   OSHA Docket Office for information
                                                  it is categorically excluded from                       information and data necessary for                     about security procedures concerning
                                                  environmental review under the                          comment.                                               delivery of materials by express
                                                  National Environmental Policy Act (42                   DATES: Comments: The comment period                    delivery, hand delivery, and messenger
                                                  U.S.C. 4321–4347).                                      for the proposed rule published in the                 service. The Docket Office will accept
                                                  Regulatory Review—Executive Orders                      Federal Register on May 21, 2018 (83                   deliveries (express delivery, hand
                                                  12866 and 13563                                         FR 23534), is extended. Submit                         delivery, messenger service) during the
                                                                                                          comments to the proposed rule,                         Docket Office’s normal business hours,
                                                     Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory                                                                           10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., ET.
                                                                                                          including comments to the information
                                                  Planning and Review), a determination
                                                                                                          collection requirements (described                        Information Collection Requirements:
                                                  must be made whether a regulatory
                                                                                                          under the section titled ‘‘Agency                      OSHA welcomes comments on the
                                                  action is significant and therefore,
                                                                                                          Determinations’’), hearing requests, and               information collection requirements
                                                  subject to review by the Office of
                                                                                                          other information by July 5, 2018. All                 contained in this rule on the same basis
                                                  Management and Budget (OMB) in
                                                                                                          submissions must bear a postmark or                    as for any other aspect of the rule.
                                                  accordance with the requirements of the
                                                                                                          provide other evidence of the date                     Interested parties may also submit
                                                  order. Executive Order 13563
                                                                                                          submitted.                                             comments about the information
                                                  (Improving Regulations and Regulatory
                                                                                                          ADDRESSES: Submit comments, hearing                    collection requirements directly to the
                                                  Review) directs executive agencies to
                                                                                                          requests, and other material, identified               Office of Information and Regulatory
                                                  analyze regulations that are ‘‘outmoded,
                                                                                                          by Docket No. OSHA–2007–0066, using                    Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for
                                                  ineffective, insufficient, or excessively
                                                                                                          any of the following methods:                          DOL–OSHA (RIN 1218–AC96), Office of
                                                  burdensome, and to modify, streamline,
                                                                                                             Electronically: Submit comments and                 Management and Budget, Room 10235,
                                                  expand, or repeal them in accordance
                                                                                                          attachments, as well as hearing requests               725 17th Street NW, Washington, DC
                                                  with what has been learned. Executive
                                                                                                          and other information, electronically at               20503, Fax: (202) 395–6881 (this is not
                                                  Order 13563 also directs that, where
                                                                                                          http://www.regulations.gov, the Federal                a toll-free number), email: OIRA_
                                                  relevant, feasible, and consistent with
                                                                                                          e-Rulemaking Portal. This docket may                   submission@omb.eop.gov. See
                                                  regulatory objectives, and to the extent
                                                                                                          include several Federal Register notices               Paperwork Reduction Act section of this
                                                  permitted by law, agencies are to
                                                                                                          for active rulemakings; therefore it is                preamble for particular areas of interest.
                                                  identify and consider regulatory
                                                  approaches that reduce burdens and                      necessary to select the correct notice, or                Instructions: All submissions must
                                                  maintain flexibility and freedom of                     its ID number, to submit comments for                  include the agency’s name, the title of
                                                  choice for the public. This ANPR was                    this rulemaking. After accessing the                   the rulemaking (Cranes and Derricks in
                                                  reviewed by OMB and determined to                       docket (OSHA–2007–0066), check the                     Construction: Operator Qualification),
                                                  likely result in a ‘‘significant regulatory             ‘‘proposed rule’’ box in the column                    and the docket number (OSHA–2007–
                                                  action,’’ as defined in section 3(f) of                 headed ‘‘Document Type,’’ find the                     0066). Absent copyright protections or
                                                  Executive Order 12866.                                  document posted on the date of                         other restrictions, OSHA will place
                                                                                                          publication of this document, and click                comments and other material, including
                                                    Dated: June 18, 2018.                                 the ‘‘Submit a Comment’’ link.                         any personal information, in the public
                                                  Anna Maria Farı́as,                                     Additional instructions for submitting                 docket without revision, and the
                                                  Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and                comments are available on the http://                  comments and other material will be
                                                  Equal Opportunity.                                      www.regulations.gov homepage.                          available online at http://
                                                  [FR Doc. 2018–13340 Filed 6–18–18; 4:15 pm]                Facsimile: OSHA allows facsimile                    www.regulations.gov. Therefore,
                                                  BILLING CODE 4210–67–P                                  transmission of comments that are ten                  commenters should not submit
                                                                                                          pages or fewer in length (including                    statements they do not want made
                                                                                                          attachments). Fax these documents to                   available to the public, or submit
                                                  DEPARTMENT OF LABOR                                     the OSHA Docket Office at (202) 693–                   comments that contain personal
                                                                                                          1648. OSHA does not require                            information (either about themselves or
                                                  Occupational Safety and Health                          submission of hard copies of these                     others) such as Social Security
                                                  Administration                                          documents. For additional attachments                  Numbers, birth dates, and medical data.
                                                                                                          that supplement comments submitted                        Docket: To read or download
                                                  29 CFR Part 1926                                        by facsimile (e.g., studies, journal                   comments or other material in the
                                                  [Docket ID–OSHA–2007–0066]                              articles), commenters must submit these                electronic docket, go to http://
                                                                                                          attachments to the OSHA Docket Office,                 www.regulations.gov or to the OSHA
                                                  RIN 1218–AC96                                           Technical Data Center, Room N–3653,                    Docket Office at the above address.
                                                                                                          OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor, 200                    Some information submitted (e.g.,
                                                  Cranes and Derricks in Construction:                    Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC
                                                  Operator Qualification                                                                                         copyrighted material) is not available
                                                                                                          20210. These attachments must clearly
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                                                                                                                                 publicly to read or download through
                                                  AGENCY: Occupational Safety and Health                  identify the sender’s name, the date,                  this website. All submissions, including
                                                  Administration (OSHA), Labor.                           subject, and the docket number (OSHA–                  copyrighted material, are available for
                                                  ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking;                  2007–0066).                                            inspection at the OSHA Docket Office.
                                                  extension of public comment period.                        Regular mail, express delivery, hand                Contact the OSHA Docket Office for
                                                                                                          delivery, and messenger (courier)                      assistance in locating docket
                                                  SUMMARY: On May 21, 2018, OSHA                          service: Submit comments and any                       submissions.
                                                  published a notice of proposed                          additional material to the OSHA Docket
                                                  rulemaking (NPRM) titled ‘‘Cranes and                   Office, RIN No. 1218–AC86, Technical                   FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:



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Document Created: 2018-06-20 00:19:19
Document Modified: 2018-06-20 00:19:19
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionAdvance notice of proposed rulemaking.
DatesComment Due Date: August 20, 2018.
ContactKrista Mills, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Policy, Legislative Initiatives, and Outreach, Office Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW, Room 5246, Washington, DC 20410; telephone number 202-402-6577. Individuals with hearing or speech impediments may access this number via TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Relay Service during working hours at 1-800-877-8339.
FR Citation83 FR 28560 
RIN Number2529-ZA01

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