(a) FRA, through the Office of the Chief Counsel, begins a civil penalty proceeding by serving a demand letter on a person charging the person with having violated one or more provisions of chapter II, subtitle B of this title, or title 49, subtitle V, part A, of the United States Code. FRA's website at https://railroads.dot.gov/ contains guidelines used by the Office of the Chief Counsel in making initial penalty assessments.

(b) A demand letter issued under this section includes:

(1) A statement of the provision(s) which the respondent is believed to have violated;

(2) A statement of the factual allegations upon which the proposed civil penalty is being sought;

(3) Notice of the maximum amount of civil penalty for which the respondent may be liable;

(4) Notice of the amount of the civil penalty proposed to be assessed;

(5) A description of the manner in which the respondent should make payment of any money to the United States;

(6) A statement of the respondent's right to present written explanations, information or any materials in answer to the charges or in mitigation of the penalty; and

(7) A statement of the respondent's right to request a hearing and the procedures for requesting a hearing.

(c) FRA may amend the demand letter at any time prior to completion of a fully executed settlement agreement or the entry of an order assessing a civil penalty. If the amendment contains any new material allegation of fact, the respondent is given an opportunity to respond. In an amended demand letter, FRA may change the civil penalty amount proposed to be assessed, up to the maximum penalty amount for each violation. However, if the violation is a grossly negligent violation, or a pattern of repeated violations, that has caused an imminent hazard of death or injury to individuals, or has caused death or injury, FRA may change the penalty amount proposed to be assessed up to the aggravated maximum penalty amount.