On October 21, 1999, HUD published a final rule implementing the statutory merger of the Section 8 tenant-based and certificate programs into the new Housing Choice Voucher program. This interim rule amends HUD's regulations governing this new merger program to expand the regulatory payment standard protection against subsidy reduction. The October 21, 1999 final rule limited payment standard protection to the first 24 months of the lease term. The interim rule provides that a family is not subject to a subsidy reduction until the second regular reexamination of family income and composition following the payment standard reduction. This protection extends for the duration of the lease term. This interim rule also corrects a typographical error contained in the October 21, 1999 final rule.