House Appropriations Committee Issues Report on DOT, HUD, Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, 2018
HOUSING COUNSELING ASSISTANCE
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................
Budget request, fiscal year 2018...................... 47,000,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 50,000,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017................... -5,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018.................. +3,000,000
Section 106 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 authorized HUD to provide housing counseling services to homebuyers, homeowners, low and moderate income renters, and the homeless.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends
The Committee notes that the economy continues to improve and foreclosures continue to decline. Foreclosure filings for 2016 were reported on 933,000 properties, which represents a 10-year low and a reduction of 14 percent from 2015. The foreclosure rate has stayed within a historically normal range for three years, even with the pipeline of legacy foreclosures resulting from the housing bubble. The Committee continues its commitment to counseling programs and provides funding above the requested level for HUD's housing counseling assistance program. Further the Committee continues to provide funding for the
The Committee retains bill language that provides two-year funding availability to allow HUD flexibility to obligate recaptures and unobligated balances to support counseling activity rather than allowing the funds to expire. The bill retains language that requires HUD to make grants within 180 days of enactment of this Act, and allows multi-year agreements, subject to the availability of annual appropriations.
The Committee encourages HUD to coordinate with
RENTAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................
Budget request, fiscal year 2018...................... 14,000,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 14,000,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017................... -6,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018.................. - - -
The rental housing assistance account includes existing long-term project-based rental assistance contracts covering affordable housing units under the rent supplement and section 236 rental assistance payment (RAP) programs. Enacted in 1965 and 1974 respectively, these programs created affordable units for low-income families. Monthly payments are made to project owners from existing contract balances, and new budget authority for short-term extensions of expiring contracts and annual contract amendments. Contract amendments provide additional subsidy to below-market contracts where rents have been constrained and owners are unable to adequately service properties and perform ongoing maintenance.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends
PAYMENT TO MANUFACTURED HOUSING FEES TRUST FUND
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................
Budget request, fiscal year 2018...................... 11,000,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 11,000,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017................... +500,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018.................. - - -
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends up to
The Committee includes language allowing the Department to collect fees from program participants for the dispute resolution and installation programs. These fees are to be deposited into the trust fund and may be used by the Department subject to the overall cap placed on the account.
MUTUAL MORTGAGE INSURANCE PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(TABLE OMITTED)
The
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends the following limitations on loan commitments in the MMI program account:
The Committee's recommendation for administrative contract expenses is
FHA loan limits.--The Committee directs HUD to review FHA loan limits in large land area counties that experienced a reduction of at least 25 percent to FHA loan limits in 2014 when the Housing Economic Recovery Act's loan limits replaced those in the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008. The study should analyze if a county's geographic size distorts the FHA loan limit calculation and if home sales price data shows that FHA loan limits are inadequate for distinct subareas.
Home equity conversion mortgage (HECM).--The Committee continues bill language that lifts the statutory aggregate cap of 275,000 HECM loan guarantees in fiscal year 2018.
Eminent domain.--The Committee continues bill language that prohibits financing of properties obtained through eminent domain. The Committee continues to be concerned about proposals for local governments to seize underwater performing mortgages and then refinance them into an FHA product. The Committee required HUD to submit a report on
Property assessed clean energy (PACE) loans.--The Committee includes bill language prohibiting funds from being used to purchase, guarantee, or insure any mortgage on properties that have a PACE loan in a first lien position--superior to the FHA loan. PACE loans are issued by state or local governments for energy efficiency improvements; are attached to the property, as opposed to the borrower; and often secured by an assessment or tax. Interest rates on these loans are significantly higher than typical mortgage rates, lines of credits, and even some credit cards.
Loans repaid by a tax or assessment enjoy a first lien position and, therefore, have priority in receiving proceeds in the event of a foreclosure. A PACE loan would be fully satisfied before the FHA mortgage. FHA's subordinate position increases the risk of loss to the MMI fund and by extension, taxpayers. The Committee notes that the MMI fund was forced to draw
In 2010, the
In 2015, HUD changed its policy and began allowing FHA to insure properties that have a first lien PACE loan. One year later, HUD stated PACE loans could not have super priority status. For delinquent PACE obligations on foreclosed properties, however, PACE has retained a first lien position. The new Administration is concerned about this risky position and is reviewing its policy related to PACE loans. Others are concerned that borrowers are not fully informed and aware of their legal and financial commitments. On
The Committee is concerned about HUD's decision to allow an FHA mortgage to be in a second lien position to a PACE loan. The Committee supports energy efficiency improvements, but not at the expense of the MMI fund or general taxpayers. Further, interest rates on FHA projects could increase to reflect this increased risk, making the homebuying process less affordable for the very population that FHA mortgage were created to assist. Therefore, the Committee includes bill language that prospectively prohibits FHA from purchasing, insuring, or guaranteeing a property that has a PACE loan in a first lien position. Finally, the Committee notes that the prohibition does not eliminate the PACE program and consumers will continue to be able to fund energy efficiency improvements via a PACE loan or other financing mechanisms. This prohibition serves only to protect the MMI fund and taxpayers.
GENERAL AND SPECIAL RISK PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(TABLE OMITTED)
The
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends a limitation on loan guarantees of
The Committee encourages HUD to coordinate with
GUARANTEES OF MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES LOAN GUARANTEE
PROGRAM ACCOUNT
(TABLE OMITTED)
The Guarantees of Mortgage-Backed Securities Program facilitates the financing of residential mortgage loans insured or guaranteed by the
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The recommendation includes a
RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................
Budget request, fiscal year 2018...................... 85,000,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 85,000,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017................... -4,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018.................. - - -
Title V of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1970, as amended, directs the Secretary of the
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends
Of the activities proposed in the budget, the Committee recommends up to
Further, the Committee's recommendation includes
Of the funds identified for technical assistance to troubled PHA's, the Committee strongly urges the Department to target truly troubled or at-risk PHAs requiring assistance to conduct basic business and housing responsibilities versus assisting with glitzy and bonus endeavors that reflect the previous Administration's strategies, such as energy performance contracts, but do little to fulfill basic needs.
The Committee directs HUD to publish the margin of error at the place level for the low-and-moderate income (LMI)
As in prior years, the bill includes a general provision in Title II that prohibits funds from being used for a doctoral dissertation research grant program. The bill includes a general provision in Title II that allows the Department to use prior year deobligated or unexpended funds made available to the
The Committee looks forward to receiving studies required in the fiscal year 2017 Act: the options for measuring AMI using more localized methodologies; the feasibility of using these alternative measurements; and HUD's plans to test the identified alternatives, and best practices and recommendations to address the displacement of lower-income families and long- time residents in urban areas; and loss of affordable housing across the nation, as required in the fiscal year 2017 Act.
FAIR HOUSING ACTIVITIES
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................
Budget request, fiscal year 2018...................... 65,300,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 65,300,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017................... - - -
Budget request, fiscal year 2018.................. - - -
The
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends
Spend plan.--The Committee directs the Department to provide a spend plan for all funds and activities in this account concurrent with the fiscal year 2018 operating plan and provide 3 days' notice prior to the announcement of any grant.
Affirmatively furthering fair housing (AFFH).--A number of communities and local organizations have expressed concern that the guidance provided by HUD regarding compliance with the new AFFH rule is vague, and the communication with stakeholders regarding requirements and compliance is lacking. In fiscal year 2017, the Committee directed HUD to address these concerns, and continue to refine the tools and resources available to stakeholders to comply with the new rule. The Committee directs HUD to submit a report 90 days after enactment of this Act summarizing activity taken in fiscal year 2017 and plans for fiscal year 2018 to make compliance with this rule more transparent.
The Committee continues to carry bill language prohibiting HUD from directing a grant to make zoning changes as part of carrying out the AFFH rule.
Disparate impact and insurance.--The Committee notes that the McCarran-Ferguson Act of 1945 explicitly states that, "unless a Federal law specifically relates to the business of insurance, that law shall not apply where it would interfere with State insurance regulation."
The Fair Housing Act does not specifically relate to the business of insurance. In fact,
The Committee is concerned that HUD continues to assert insurance regulatory authority that contradicts the McCarran-
LEAD HAZARD REDUCTION
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................
Budget request, fiscal year 2018...................... 130,000,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 130,000,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017................... -15,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018.................. - - -
The office develops lead-based paint regulations, guidelines, and policies applicable to HUD programs and enforces the lead disclosure rule issued under Title X. For both lead-related and healthy homes issues, the office designs and administers programs for grants, training, research, demonstration, and education.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends
The Committee recommends no more than
The Committee directs the Department to provide a spend plan for all funds and activities in this account concurrent with the fiscal year 2018 operating plan and provide 3 days' notice prior to the announcement of any grant.
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................
Budget request, fiscal year 2018...................... 250,000,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 150,000,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017................... -107,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018.................. -100,000,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends
The Committee directs HUD to continue its efforts to retire obsolete, unproductive, and expensive information technology systems, and streamline and consolidate current services contracts in an effort to direct resources for higher priority and more effective systems.
The Committee directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to evaluate the
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................
Budget request, fiscal year 2018...................... 126,000,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 128,082,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017................... - - -
Budget request, fiscal year 2018.................. +2,082,000
The
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends
The Committee has found the reports and investigations undertaken by the IG over the past few years to be interesting and pertinent to the work of the Committee.
General Provisions--
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
(INCLUDING RESCISSION)
Section 201 splits overpayments evenly between
Section 202 prohibits funds from being used to investigate or prosecute lawful activities under the Fair Housing Act.
Section 203 requires any grant or cooperative agreement to be made on a competitive basis, unless otherwise provided, in accordance with Section 102 of the
Section 204 relates to the availability of funds for services and facilities for GSEs and others subject to the Government Corporation Control Act and the Housing Act of 1950.
Section 205 prohibits the use of funds in excess of the budget estimates, unless provided otherwise.
Section 206 relates to the expenditure of funds for corporations and agencies subject to the Government Corporation Control Act.
Section 207 requires the Secretary to provide quarterly reports on uncommitted, unobligated, recaptured, and excess funds in each departmental program and activity.
Section 208 requires the Administration's budget and HUD's budget justifications for fiscal year 2019 be submitted in the identical account and sub-account structure provided in this Act.
Section 209 exempts GNMA from certain requirements of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990.
Section 210 authorizes HUD to transfer debt and use agreements from an obsolete project to a viable project, provided that no additional costs are incurred and other conditions are met.
Section 211 sets forth requirements for Section 8 voucher assistance eligibility, and includes consideration for persons with disabilities.
Section 212 distributes Native American Housing Block Grants to the same Native Alaskan recipients as in fiscal year 2005.
Section 213 authorizes the Secretary to insure mortgages under Section 255 of the National Housing Act.
Section 214 instructs HUD on managing and disposing of any multifamily property that is owned or held by HUD.
Section 215 allows the Section 108 loan guarantee program to guarantee notes or other obligations issued by any State on behalf of non-entitlement communities in the State.
Section 216 allows PHAs that own and operate 400 or fewer units of public housing to be exempt from asset management requirements.
Section 217 restricts the Secretary from imposing any requirements or guidelines relating to asset management that restrict or limit the use of capital funds for central office costs, up to the limit established in QHWRA.
Section 218 requires that no employee of the Department shall be designated as an allotment holder unless the CFO determines that such employee has received certain training.
Section 219 requires the Secretary to publish all notice of funding availability that is competitively awarded on the internet for fiscal year 2018.
Section 220 requires attorney fees for programmatic litigation to be paid from the individual program office and
Section 221 allows the Secretary to transfer up to 10 percent of funds or
Section 222 requires HUD to take certain actions against owners receiving rental subsidies that do not maintain safe properties.
Section 223 places a salary and bonus limit on public housing agency officials and employees.
Section 224 prohibits the use of funds for the doctoral dissertation research grant program at HUD.
Section 225 extends the HOPE VI program to
Section 226 requires the Secretary to notify the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations at least 3 full business days before grant awards are announced.
Section 227 prohibits funds to be used to require or enforce the Physical Needs Assessment (PNA).
Section 228 prohibits funds for HUD financing of mortgages for properties that have been subject to eminent domain.
Section 229 prohibits the use of funds to terminate the status of a unit of general local government as a metropolitan city with respect to grants under section 106 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974.
Section 230 allows funding for research, evaluation, and statistical purposes that is unexpended at the time of completion of the contract, grant, or cooperative agreement to be reobligated for additional research.
Section 231 prohibits funds to be used for financial awards for employees subject to administrative discipline in fiscal year 2018.
Section 232 allows program income as an eligible match for 2016, 2017, and 2018
Section 233 permits HUD to provide one year transition grants under the continuum of care program with no more than 50 percent of the grant provided for costs of eligible activities of the program component originally funded.
Section 234 prohibits the use of funds to direct a grantee to undertake specific changes to existing zoning laws as part of carrying out the final rule entitled, "
Section 235 extends the mark to market program to
Section 236 prohibits new guarantees or insurance on properties with a PACE loan that is or has the potential to be in a superior lien position compared to the mortgage guaranteed or insured under the MMI fund.
Section 237 expands authorities under the Rental Assistance Demonstration program.
TITLE III--RELATED AGENCIES
Access Board
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................
Budget request, fiscal year 2018...................... 7,928,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 8,190,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017................... - - -
Budget request, fiscal year 2018.................. +262,000
The Access Board was established by section 502 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 with the primary mission of ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities. The Access Board is responsible for developing guidelines under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Architectural Barriers Act, and the Telecommunications Act. The Access Board is responsible for developing standards under section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act for accessible electronic and information technology used by federal agencies. The Access Board also enforces the Architectural Barriers Act and provides training and technical assistance on the guidelines and standards it develops.
The Access Board has been given responsibilities under the Help America Vote Act to serve on the
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................
Budget request, fiscal year 2018...................... 26,149,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 27,490,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017................... - - -
Budget request, fiscal year 2018.................. +1,341,000
Established in 1961, the
The principal shipping statutes administered by the FMC are the Shipping Act of 1984 (46 U.S.C. 40101-41309), the Foreign Shipping Practices Act of 1988 (46 U.S.C. 42301-42307), Section 19 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920 (46 U.S.C. 42101-42109), Public Law 89-777 (46 U.S.C. 44101-44106).
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................
Budget request, fiscal year 2018...................... 23,274,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 23,274,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017................... - - -
Budget request, fiscal year 2018.................. - - -
The Amtrak Inspector General is an independent, objective unit responsible for detecting and preventing fraud, waste, abuse, and violations of law and for promoting economy, efficiency and effectiveness at Amtrak.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends
The OIG's efforts have resulted in valuable studies and recommendations for this Committee and for the Corporation that have yielded cost savings and management improvements. These studies have been in a number of areas, including food and beverage service, capital planning, overtime, and fraud. In addition, Amtrak OIG has been instrumental in developing an audit process to review invoices and identifying overpayments.
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................
Budget request, fiscal year 2018...................... 105,170,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 106,000,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017................... - - -
Budget request, fiscal year 2018.................. +830,000
Initially established along with the
In addition to its investigatory duties, the
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends
PAYMENT TO THE
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................
Budget request, fiscal year 2018...................... 27,400,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 140,000,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017................... - - -
Budget request, fiscal year 2018.................. +112,600,000
The
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends an appropriation of
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................
Budget request, fiscal year 2018...................... 37,100,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 37,100,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017................... +100,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018.................. - - -
The
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends an appropriation of
OPERATING EXPENSES
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017.......................
Budget request, fiscal year 2018...................... 570,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 570,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2017................... -3,030,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2018.................. - - -
The mission of the
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends
TITLE IV--GENERAL PROVISIONS, THIS ACT
(INCLUDING RESCISSIONS)
Section 401 prohibits pay and other expenses for non- Federal parties intervening in regulatory or adjudicatory proceedings.
Section 402 prohibits obligations beyond the current fiscal year and prohibits transfers of funds unless expressly so provided herein.
Section 403 limits consulting service expenditures in procurement contracts to those contained in the public record.
Section 404 prohibits employee training not directly related to the performance of official duties.
Section 405 specifies requirements for reprogramming funds.
Section 406 provides that fifty percent of unobligated balances for salaries and expenses may remain available for certain purposes, subject to the approval of the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations.
Section 407 prohibits the use of funds for any project that seeks to use the power of eminent domain, unless eminent domain is employed only for a public use.
Section 408 prohibits funds from being transferred to any department, agency, or instrumentality of the
Section 409 prohibits funds in this Act from being used to permanently replace an employee intent on returning to his or her past occupation after completion of military service.
Section 410 prohibits funds in this Act from being used unless the expenditure is in compliance with the Buy American Act.
Section 411 prohibits funds from being appropriated or made available to any person or entity that has been convicted of violating the Buy American Act.
Section 412 prohibits funds for first-class airline accommodations in contravention of sections 301-10.122 and 301- 10.123 of title 41 CFR.
Section 413 prohibits funds from being used for the approval of a new foreign air carrier permit or exemption application if that approval would contravene
Section 414 restricts the number of employees that agencies funded in this Act may send to international conferences.
Section 415 caps the amount of fees the
Section 416 rescinds all unobligated balances from various salaries and expenses accounts.
Section 417 prohibits funds from being used to maintain or establish computer networks unless such networks block the viewing, downloading, or exchange of pornography.
Section 418 establishes a spending reduction account.
Continues with Part 7 of 8
House Appropriations Committee Issues Report on DOT, HUD, Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, 2018 (Part 3 of 8)
House Appropriations Committee Issues Report on DOT, HUD, Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, 2018 (Part 2 of 8)
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News