49 CFR 1022.4 - Cost-of living adjustments of civil monetary penalties.

Regulations last checked for updates: Feb 07, 2026

Title 49 - Transportation last revised: Feb 03, 2026

View all text of Part 1022 [§ 1022.1 - § 1022.4]

§ 1022.4 - Cost-of living adjustments of civil monetary penalties.

(a) The inflation adjustment under § 1022.3 will initially be determined by increasing each maximum civil monetary penalty by the initial cost-of-living adjustment. Not later than January 15 of every year thereafter, the inflation adjustment will subsequently be determined by increasing the maximum civil monetary penalty for each civil monetary penalty by the cost-of-living adjustment. Any increase determined under this section shall be rounded to the nearest dollar.

(b) The cost-of-living adjustment required by the statute results in the following adjustments to the civil monetary penalties within the jurisdiction of the Board:

Table 1 to Paragraph (b)

U.S. Code citation	Civil monetary penalty description	2025—Penalty amount	2026—Adjusted penalty amount ¹
U.S. Code citation	Civil monetary penalty description	EP 716_10 (2025)	EP 716_11 (2026)
Rail Carrier
49 U.S.C. 11901(a)	Unless otherwise specified, maximum penalty for each knowing violation under this part, and for each day	9,970	10,243
49 U.S.C. 11901(b)	For each violation under sec. 11124(a)(2) or (b)	998	1,025
49 U.S.C. 11901(b)	For each day violation continues	51	52
49 U.S.C. 11901(c)	Maximum penalty for each knowing violation under secs. 10901-10906	9,970	10,243
49 U.S.C. 11901(d)	For each violation under sec. 11123 or 11124(a)(1)	198-998	203-1,025
49 U.S.C. 11901(d)	For each day violation continues	100	103
49 U.S.C. 11901(e)(1), (4)	For each violation under secs. 11141-11145, for each day	998	1,025
49 U.S.C. 11901(e)(2), (4)	For each violation under sec. 11144(b)(1), for each day	198	203
49 U.S.C. 11901(e)(3)-(4)	For each violation of reporting requirements, for each day	198	203
Motor and Water Carrier
49 U.S.C. 14901(a)	Minimum penalty for each violation and for each day	1,365	1,402
49 U.S.C. 14901(a)	For each violation under sec. 13901 or 13902(c)	13,647	14,020
49 U.S.C. 14901(a)	For each violation related to transportation of passengers	34,116	35,049
49 U.S.C. 14901(b)	For each violation of the hazardous waste rules under sec. 3001 of the Solid Waste Disposal Act	27,293-54,586	28,039-56,079
49 U.S.C. 14901(d)(1)	Minimum penalty for each violation of household good regulations, and for each day	1,992	2,046
49 U.S.C. 14901(d)(2)	Minimum penalty for each instance of transportation of household goods if broker provides estimate without carrier agreement	19,941	20,486
49 U.S.C. 14901(d)(3)	Minimum penalty for each instance of transportation of household goods without being registered	49,848	51,211
49 U.S.C. 14901(e)	Minimum penalty for each violation of a transportation rule	3,988	4,097
49 U.S.C. 14901(e)	Minimum penalty for each additional violation	9,970	10,243
49 U.S.C. 14903(a)	Maximum penalty for undercharge or overcharge of tariff rate, for each violation	199,408	204,862
49 U.S.C. 14904(a)	For first violation, rebates at less than the rate in effect	398	409
49 U.S.C. 14904(a)	For all subsequent violations	500	514
49 U.S.C. 14904(b)(1)	Maximum penalty for first violation for undercharges by freight forwarders	998	1,025
49 U.S.C. 14904(b)(1)	Maximum penalty for subsequent violations	3,988	4,097
49 U.S.C. 14904(b)(2)	Maximum penalty for other first violations under sec. 13702	998	1,025
49 U.S.C. 14904(b)(2)	Maximum penalty for subsequent violations.	3,988	4,097
49 U.S.C. 14905(a)	Maximum penalty for each knowing violation of sec. 14103(a), and knowingly authorizing, consenting to, or permitting a violation of sec. 14103(a) or (b)	19,941	20,486
49 U.S.C. 14906	Minimum penalty for first attempt to evade regulation	2,730	2,805
49 U.S.C. 14906	Minimum amount for each subsequent attempt to evade regulation	6,823	7,010
49 U.S.C. 14907	Maximum penalty for recordkeeping/reporting violations	9,970	10,243
49 U.S.C. 14908(a)(2)	Maximum penalty for violation of sec. 14908(a)(1)	3,988	4,097
49 U.S.C. 14910	When another civil penalty is not specified under this part, for each violation, for each day	998	1,025
49 U.S.C. 14915(a)(1)-(2)	Minimum penalty for holding a household goods shipment hostage, for each day	15,846	16,279
49 U.S.C. 14916(c)(1)	Maximum penalty for each knowing violation under sec. 14916(a) for unlawful brokerage activities	13,647	14,020
Pipeline Carrier
49 U.S.C. 16101(a)	Maximum penalty for violation of this part, for each day	9,970	10,243
49 U.S.C. 16101(b)(1), (4)	For each recordkeeping violation under sec. 15722, each day	998	1,025
49 U.S.C. 16101(b)(2), (4)	For each inspection violation liable under sec. 15722, each day	198	203
49 U.S.C. 16101(b)(3)-(4)	For each reporting violation under sec. 15723, each day	198	203
49 U.S.C. 16103(a)	Maximum penalty for improper disclosure of information	1,992	2,046

¹ Because October 2025 Consumer Price Index data was not available by the January 15 statutory deadline for publishing adjusted penalty amounts, the cost-of-living adjustment for 2026 reflects the percentage by which the November 2025 Consumer Price Index exceeds the November 2024 Consumer Price Index.

[81 FR 72543, Oct. 20, 2016, as amended at 82 FR 4797, Jan. 17, 2017; 83 FR 993, Jan. 9, 2018; 83 FR 67699, Dec. 31, 2018; 85 FR 839, Jan. 8, 2019; 86 FR 3027, Jan. 14, 2021; 87 FR 2354, Jan. 14, 2022; 88 FR 2269, Jan. 13, 2022; 89 FR 2175, Jan. 12, 2024; 90 FR 3042, Jan. 14, 2025; 91 FR 1448, Jan. 14, 2026]

authority: 5 U.S.C. 551-557; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note; 49 U.S.C. 11901,14901,14903,14904,14905,14906,14907,14908,14910,14915,14916,16101,16103

source: 77 FR 64432, Oct. 22, 2012, unless otherwise noted.

cite as: 49 CFR 1022.4