104 STAT. 4262 PUBLIC LAW 101-625—NOV. 28, 1990 "(H) any savings from reductions in operating expenses due to mansigement efficiencies shall be deposited in project reserves for replacement and the owner shall have periodic access to such reserves, to the extent the Secretary determines that the level of reserves is adequate and that the housing is maintained in accordance with the standards established under section 222(d); and "(3) no incentives under section 219 (other than to purchasers under section 220) may be provided until the Secretary determines the project meets housing standards under subsection (d), except that incentives under such section and other incentives designed to correct deficiencies in the project may be provided. "(b) IMPLEMENTATION. — Any agreement to maintain the lowincome affordability restrictions for the remaining useful life of the housing may be made through execution of a new regulatory agreement, modifications to the existing regulatory agreement or mortgage, or, in the case of the prepayment of a mortgage or voluntary termination of mortgage insurance, a recorded instrument. " (c) DETERMINATION OF REMAINING USEFUL LIFE.— "(1) DEFINITION.— For purposes of this title, the term 'remaining useful life' means, with respect to eligible low-income housing, the period during which the physical characteristics of the housing remain in a condition suitable for occupancy, assuming normal maintensince and repairs are made and major systems and capital components are replaced as becomes necessary. "(2) STANDARDS. —The Secretary shall, by rule under section 553 of title 5, United States (Dode, establish standards for determining when the useful life of an eligible low-income housing project has expired. The determination shall be made on the record after opportunity for an hearing. "(3) OWNER PETITION.—The Secretary shall establish a procedure under which owners of eligible low-income housing may petition the Secretary for a determination that the useful life of such housing has expired. The procedure shall not permit such a petition before the expiration of the 50-year period beginning upon the approval of a plan of action under this subtitle with respect to such housing. In making a determination pursuant to a petition under this paragraph, the Secretary shall presume that the useful life of the housing has not expired, and the owner shall have the burden of proof in establishing such expiration. The Secretary may not determine that the useful life of any housing has expired if such determination results primarily from failure to make regular and reasonable repairs and replacement, as became necessary. " (4) TENANT AND COMMUNITY COMMENT AND APPEAL.—In making a determination regarding the useful life of any housing pursuant to a petition submitted under paragraph (3), the Secretary shall provide for comment by tenants of the housing and interested persons and organizations with respect to the petition. The Secretary shall also provide the tenants and interested persons and organizations with an opportunity to appeal a determination under this subsection. "(d) HOUSING STANDARDS. — Regulations. "(1) EsTABusHMENT AND INSPECTION. —The Secretary shall, by regulation, estoblish standards regarding the physical condition in which any eligible low income housing project receiving
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