§ 400.8 Approval of State plans and plan amendments.

(a) The State agency must submit the State plan and plan amendments which have been signed by the Governor, or his or her designee, together with one copy of such plan or amendment, to the Director of ORR, or his or her designee, for approval. States are encouraged to consult with the Director, or his or her designee, when a plan or amendment is in preparation. (b) The Director, or his or her designee, may initiate any necessary discussions with the State agency to clarify aspects of the plan. (c) No later than 45 days after the State plan or plan amendment is submitted, the Director, or his or her designee, will—(1) Determine whether a State plan or plan amendment meets or continues to meet requirements for approval based on relevant Federal statutes and regulations, and (2) approve or disapprove the plan or plan amendment. (d) The Director, or designee, will notify the State agency promptly of all actions taken on State plans and amendments. (e) The effective date of an approved State plan or plan amendment may not be earlier than the first day of the calendar quarter in which the State agency submits the plan or plan amendment, except as otherwise approved by the Director.