(a) Guidance document means a statement of general applicability, designed to shape or intended to have future effect on the behavior of regulated parties, that sets forth a policy on a statutory, regulatory, or technical issue, or an interpretation of a statute or regulation. HUD guidance documents include, but are not limited to, handbooks, policy statements, policy directives, notices of general applicability, compliance documents, bulletins, documents addressing frequently asked questions, and other direct notices issued by HUD program offices, but do not include:

(1) Rules promulgated pursuant to notice and comment under section 553 of title 5, United States Code (as codified at 24 CFR part 10), or similar statutory provisions;

(2) Rules exempt from rulemaking requirements under section 553(a) of title 5, United States Code;

(3) Rules of agency organization, procedure, or practice, provided such rules do not alter substantive obligations for parties outside the Department;

(4) Decisions of agency adjudications under section 554 of title 5, United States Code, or similar statutory provisions;

(5) Internal guidance directed to HUD or other agencies that is not intended to have substantial future effect on the substantive behavior of regulated parties;

(6) Internal executive branch legal advice or legal opinions addressed to executive branch officials, or directed to particular parties about circumstance-specific questions;

(7) Legal briefs, charges, and other court filings intended to persuade a court, or administrative or arbitral authority;

(8) Notices regarding particular locations or facilities;

(9) Research papers and studies;

(10) Notices of Funding Availability, and correspondence and communications with individual persons or entities not intended to set general policy, including grant agreements with individual program participants and other communications regarding program administration, enforcement actions, and notices of violation, or congressional correspondence.

(b) Guidance portal means the single, publicly accessible, searchable website where HUD posts or links to all guidance documents that are in effect.

(c) OIRA means the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the Office of Management and Budget.

(d) Significant guidance document means a guidance document that may reasonably be anticipated to:

(1) Lead to an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or State, local, or tribal governments or communities;

(2) Create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an action taken or planned by another agency

(3) Materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs, or the rights and obligations of recipients thereof; or

(4) Raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles of Executive Order 12866, “Regulatory Planning and Review.”