APPEAL PROCEDURE.

SEC. 431. [42 U.S.C. 11386e] APPEAL PROCEDURE. (a) In General.—With respect to funding under this subtitle, if certification of consistency with the consolidated plan pursuant to section 403 is withheld from an applicant who has submitted an application for that certification, such applicant may appeal such decision to the Secretary. (b) Procedure.—The Secretary shall establish a procedure to process the appeals described in subsection (a). (c) Determination.—Not later than 45 days after the date of receipt of an appeal described in subsection (a), the Secretary shall determine if certification was unreasonably withheld. If such certification was unreasonably withheld, the Secretary shall review such application and determine if such applicant shall receive funding under this subtitle.