This subpart details the requirements and procedures for review of requests for new program approval by the Secretary.

(a) Before implementing a new program, a GSE shall submit a request for new program approval (“program request”) to the Secretary for the Secretary's review. Submission of a program request is not required where the program that the GSE proposes to implement is not significantly different from:

(1) A program that has already been approved in writing by the Secretary; or

(2) A program that was engaged in by the GSE prior to October 28, 1992.

(b) If a GSE does not submit a program request for a program, the Secretary may request information about the program and require that the GSE submit a program request. The GSE shall comply with the request and may indicate in such response its views respecting whether the program is subject to the Secretary's review.

(a) Each program request submitted to the Secretary by a GSE shall be in writing and shall be submitted to the Secretary and the Director, Office of Government-Sponsored Enterprises, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Washington, DC. For those requests submitted before 1 year after the effective date of the regulations issued by the Director of OFHEO under 12 U.S.C. 4611(e), the GSE shall simultaneously submit the program request to the Director.

(b) Each program request shall include:

(1) An opinion from counsel stating the statutory authority for the new program (Freddie Mac Act section 305(a) (1), (4), or (5), or Fannie Mae Charter Act section 302(b)(2)-(5) or 304);

(2) A good-faith estimate of the anticipated dollar volume of the program over the short- and long-term;

(3) A full description of: (i) The purpose and operation of the proposed program;

(ii) The market targeted by the program;

(iii) The delivery system for the program;

(iv) The effect of the program on the mortgage market; and

(v) Material relevant to the public interest.

(c) Following receipt of a program request, the Secretary and, where a program request is submitted to the Director pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section, the Director shall review the program request.

(d) Transition standard for approval. Program requests submitted by the GSEs before the date occurring 1 year after the effective date of the regulations issued by the Director under 12 U.S.C. 4611(e) shall be approved or disapproved by the Secretary as provided in 12 U.S.C. 4542(b)(2).

(e) Permanent standard for approval by the Secretary. Program requests submitted after the date occurring one year after the effective date of the regulations issued by the Director under 12 U.S.C. 4611(e) establishing the risk-based capital test shall be approved by the Secretary in accordance with 12 U.S.C. 4542(b)(1).

(f) Time for review. Unless the Secretary and, where appropriate, the Director of OFHEO, need additional information, a program request shall be approved or disapproved within 45 days from the date it is received by the Director, Office of Government-Sponsored Enterprises, and, where applicable, the Director of OFHEO. If within 45 days after receiving a request, the Secretary or the Director of OFHEO determine that additional information is necessary to review the matter and request such information from the GSE, the Secretary may extend the time period for consideration for an additional 15 days.

(1) Where additional information is requested, the GSE must provide the requested information to the Secretary and, where appropriate, the Director, within 10 days after the request for additional information.

(2) If the GSE fails to furnish requested information within 10 days after the request for information, the Secretary may deny the GSE's request for approval based on such failure and so report to the Committees of Congress in accordance with paragraph (g) of this section.

(g) Approval or report. Within 45 days or, if the period is extended, 60 days following receipt of a program request, the Secretary shall approve the request, in writing, or submit a report to the Committee on Banking and Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate, explaining the reasons for not approving the request. If the Secretary does not act within this time period, the GSE's program request will be deemed approved.

(a) Programs disapproved as unauthorized. (1) Where the Secretary disapproves a program request on the grounds that the new program is not authorized, as defined in § 81.53(d) or (e), the GSE may, within 30 days of the date of receipt of the decision on disapproval, request an opportunity to review and supplement the administrative record for the decision, in accordance with paragraphs (a) (2) and (3) of this section.

(2) Supplementing in writing. A GSE supplementing the record in writing must submit written materials within 30 days after the date of receipt of the decision on disapproval, but no later than the date of a meeting, if requested, under paragraph (a)(3) of this section.

(3) Meeting. Within 10 days of the date of receipt of the decision of disapproval, the GSE may request a meeting. If the request for the meeting is timely, the Secretary shall arrange such a meeting, which shall be conducted by the Secretary or the Secretary's designee within 10 working days after receipt of the request. The GSE may be represented by counsel and may submit relevant written materials to supplement the record.

(4) Determination. The Secretary shall:

(i) In writing and within 10 days after submission of any materials under paragraph (a)(2) of this section or the conclusion of any meeting under paragraph (a)(3) of this section, whichever is later, withdraw, modify, or affirm the program disapproval; and

(ii) Provide the GSE with that decision.

(b) Programs disapproved under public interest determination. When a program request is disapproved because the Secretary determines that the program is not in the public interest or the Director makes the determination in 12 U.S.C. 4542(b)(2)(B), the Secretary shall provide the GSE with notice of, and opportunity for, a hearing on the record regarding such disapproval. A request for a hearing must be submitted by a GSE within 30 days of the Secretary's submission of a report under § 81.53(g) disapproving a program request or the provision of the notice under this paragraph (b), whichever is later. The procedures for such hearings are provided in subpart G of this part.