The purpose of this part is to establish a method to adjust for inflation the civil monetary penalties provided by law within the jurisdiction of the Board, in conformity with the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, Public Law 101-410, 104 Stat. 890 (codified as amended at 28 U.S.C. 2461 note), as amended by the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, Public Law 104-134, 110 Stat. 1321, and further amended by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015, Public Law 114-74, 129 Stat. 599. These penalties shall be subject to review and adjustment annually using the method specified in this part.
[81 FR 72543, Oct. 20, 2016]
As used in this part:
(a) Board means the Surface Transportation Board.
(b) Civil monetary penalty means any penalty, fine, or other sanction that:
(1)(i) Is for a specific monetary amount as provided by federal law; or
(ii) Has a maximum amount provided by federal law;
(2) Is assessed or enforced by the Board pursuant to federal law; and
(3) Is assessed or enforced pursuant to an administrative proceeding or a civil action in the federal courts.
(c) Consumer Price Index means the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers published by the Department of Labor.
(d) Cost-of-Living Adjustment means the percentage (if any) by which the Consumer Price Index for the month of October preceding the adjustment exceeds the Consumer Price Index for the month of October one year before the month of October preceding date of the adjustment.
(e) Initial Cost-of-Living Adjustment means, for each civil monetary penalty, the percentage (if any) by which the Consumer Price Index for the month of October 2015 exceeds the Consumer Price Index of the month of October of the calendar year during which the amount of such civil monetary penalty was established or adjusted under a provision of law.
[77 FR 64432, Oct. 22, 2012, as amended at 81 FR 72543, Oct. 20, 2016]
The Board shall, immediately, and at least every year thereafter—
(a) By regulation adjust each civil monetary penalty provided by law within the jurisdiction of the Board by the inflation adjustment described in § 1022.4; and
(b) Publish each such adjustment in the Federal Register.
[77 FR 64432, Oct. 22, 2012, as amended at 81 FR 72543, Oct. 20, 2016]
(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:
| U.S. Code citation
| Civil monetary penalty description
| 2025—Penalty amount
| 2026—Adjusted penalty
amount
1
|
|---|
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
|