Federal Register, Volume 77 Issue 204 (Monday, October 22, 2012)

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 204 (Monday, October 22, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64431-64434]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-25773]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

49 CFR Part 1022

[Docket No. EP 716]

Civil Monetary Penalty Inflation Adjustment Rule

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Surface Transportation Board (Board) is issuing a final
rule to adjust the Board's civil monetary penalties for inflation on a
periodic basis pursuant to the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Act of
1990, as amended by the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996. Prior
to the issuance of this rule, the Board's penalties have not been
adjusted for inflation since they were prescribed in the Interstate
Commerce Commission Termination Act of 1995 (ICCTA). As mandated by the
Debt Collection Improvement Act, the Board's initial increase of its
penalties cannot exceed 10%. The Board is required to review its
penalties again at least once every four years thereafter and adjust
them as necessary for inflation according to a specified formula.

DATES: This rule is effective on October 22, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Information or questions regarding this final rule should
reference Docket No. EP 716 and be in writing addressed to: Office of
Proceedings, Surface Transportation Board, 395 E. Street SW.,
Washington, DC 20423-0001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marc Lerner, (202) 245-0390. Federal
Information Relay Service (FIRS) for the hearing impaired: 1-800-877-
8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background. The Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 (DCIA),
Public Law 104-134, 110 Stat. 1321, amended 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), to require each federal
agency to adopt regulations at least once every four years that adjust
for inflation the maximum amount of civil monetary penalties under the
statutes administered by the agency.\1\ As defined, a civil monetary
penalty is a statutorily prescribed specific amount, or maximum amount,
provided by federal law that can be assessed by a federal agency and
that can be enforced by the agency pursuant to an administrative
proceeding or a civil action in a federal court. Congress passed this
legislation on the basis of its findings that: (1) The power to impose
civil monetary penalties is important to deterring violations of
federal law and furthering the policy goals of federal laws and
regulations; and (2) inflation has diminished the impact of these
penalties.
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\1\ Agency means an Executive agency as defined under 5 U.S.C.
105. ``Executive agency'' includes an ``independent establishment,''
which is defined at 5 U.S.C. 104 in relevant part as ``an
establishment in the executive branch'' that is not an ``Executive
department.'' For purposes of the requirements of the DCIA, we
determine that the Board is a covered agency.
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Under the DCIA, the inflation adjustment is calculated by
increasing the maximum civil monetary penalty amount per violation by
the Cost-of-Living Adjustment, which is the percentage (if any) by
which the Consumer Price Index for June of the year preceding the
adjustment exceeds the Consumer Price Index for June of the year the
civil monetary penalty amount was last set or adjusted, multiplied by
the statutory maximum amount, rounded to the nearest specified amount
using the formula contained in the statute. The DCIA requires agencies
to round off the increase of each civil monetary penalty depending on
its dollar amount: if the penalty is greater than $0 and less than or
equal to $100, the increase is to be rounded to the nearest $10; if the
penalty is greater than $100, but less than or equal to $1,000, the
increase is rounded to the nearest $100; if the penalty is greater than
$1,000 but less than or equal to $10,000, the increase is to be rounded
to the nearest multiple of $1,000; if the penalty is greater than
$10,000 but less than or equal to $100,000, the increase is to be
rounded to the nearest multiple of $5,000; if the penalty is greater
than $100,000 but less than or equal to $200,000, the increase is to be
rounded to the nearest multiple of $10,000; and lastly, if the penalty
is greater than $200,000, the increase is to be rounded to the nearest
$25,000.
Discussion. The statutory definition of civil monetary penalty
covers the civil penalty provisions under the Rail Carrier (Part A),
Motor and Water Carriers (Part B), and Pipeline Carrier (Part C)
provisions of the Interstate Commerce Act (ICA), as amended by ICCTA.
The Board's civil (and criminal) penalty authority related to rail
transportation appears at 49 U.S.C. 11901-11908. The Board's penalty
authority related to motor carriers, water carriers, brokers, and
freight forwarders appears at 49 U.S.C. 14901-14915. The Board's
penalty authority related to

[[Page 64432]]

pipeline carriers appears at 49 U.S.C. 16101-16106.\2\
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\2\ The Board also has criminal penalty authority, enforceable
in a federal criminal court. Congress has not, however, authorized
federal agencies to adjust statutorily-prescribed criminal penalty
provisions for inflation, and this rule does not address those
provisions.
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Because the Board was created in 1996, the year 2000 would have
been the first time that the Board should have amended its regulations
to adjust its civil monetary penalties for inflation.\3\ Subsequent
amendments should have been effected in 2004, 2008, and in 2012. The
Board's initial adjustment, however, cannot exceed 10% of each penalty,
regardless of the rate of inflation. As set forth in the rule, the
Board is adding 49 CFR 1022 to adjust the penalty for each violation
for which a statutory minimum or maximum amount is specified under the
ICA as amended by ICCTA. These adjusted penalties will apply only to
violations which occur after the effective date of this regulation.
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\3\ See GAO Report, GAO-03-409, Civil Penalties: Agencies Unable
to Fully Adjust Penalties for Inflation Under Current Law (March
2003), at 46 (STB not required to make initial adjustments until
Jan. 1, 2000; as of Jun. 30, 2002, STB had not made the
adjustments).
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Immediate Final Rule. The Board has no discretion to set
alternative levels of adjusted civil monetary penalties, since the
amount of the inflation adjustment must be calculated in accordance
with the statutory formula. Accordingly, the Board is issuing this
regulation as a final rule, without opportunity for public notice and
comment. The Administrative Procedure Act (APA), 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B),
does not require that process ``when the agency for good cause finds''
that public notice and comment are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or
contrary to the public interest.'' The Board finds that solicitation of
public comments in this rulemaking is unnecessary and impracticable
because Congress has prescribed that agencies adjust the civil monetary
penalties under their jurisdiction and has provided no discretion to
the agencies regarding the substance of the adjustments. The Board is
only required to determine the amount of inflation adjustments by
performing technical, ministerial computations. Thus, there is no need
for affected parties to have 30 days' notice or opportunity to comment
prior to the effectiveness of this regulation to adjust their conduct
because the regulation concerns penalties for conduct that is already
illegal under existing law. Accordingly, the Board has determined that
there is good cause to make this regulation effective immediately upon
publication.
Regulatory Flexibility Statement. The Regulatory Flexibility Act
(RFA), as amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness
Act of 1996, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., generally requires an agency to
prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis of any rule subject to notice
and comment rulemaking requirements, unless the agency certifies that
the rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities. Because the Board has determined that notice
and comment are not required under the APA for this rulemaking, the
requirements of the RFA do not apply.
Paperwork Reduction Act. This final rule does not contain a new or
amended information collection requirement subject to the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.
Effective Date. For the same reasons the Board has determined that
public notice and comment is unnecessary and impracticable, the Board
finds that it has good cause to make this regulation effective upon
publication.

List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 1022

Administrative practice and procedures, Brokers, Civil penalties,
Freight forwarders, Motor carriers, Pipeline carriers, Rail carriers,
Water carriers.

Decided: October 12, 2012.

By the Board, Chairman Elliott, Vice Chairman Mulvey, and
Commissioner Begeman.
Jeffrey Herzig,
Clearance Clerk.

For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Surface
Transportation Board amends title 49, chapter X, of the Code of Federal
Regulations by adding part 1022 to read as follows:

PART 1022--CIVIL MONETARY PENALTY INFLATION ADJUSTMENT

Sec.
1022.1 Scope and purpose.
1022.2 Definitions.
1022.3 Civil monetary penalty inflation adjustment.
1022.4 Cost-of-living adjustments of civil monetary penalties.

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, 16101, 16103.

Sec. 1022.1 Scope and purpose.

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. These penalties shall be subject to review
and adjustment at least once every four years using the method
specified in the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, Public Law
104-134, 110 Stat. 1321, as it amends 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). The inflation adjustment
is calculated by increasing the maximum civil monetary penalty amount
per violation by the Cost-of-Living Adjustment, which is the percentage
(if any) by which the Consumer Price Index for June of the year
preceding the adjustment exceeds the Consumer Price Index for June of
the year the civil monetary penalty amount was last set or adjusted,
multiplied by the statutory maximum amount, rounded to the nearest
specified amount using the formula contained in the statute. The
initial adjustment, however, is capped at 10% of the penalty,
regardless of the applicable rate of inflation.

Sec. 1022.2 Definitions.

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) for
each civil monetary penalty by which the Consumer Price Index for the
month of June of the calendar year preceding the adjustment exceeds the
Consumer Price Index for the month of June of the calendar year in
which the amount of such civil monetary penalty was last set or
adjusted pursuant to law.

Sec. 1022.3 Civil monetary penalty inflation adjustment.

The Board shall, immediately, and at least once every four years
thereafter--
(a) By regulation adjust each civil monetary penalty provided by
law within the jurisdiction of the Board by the inflation adjustment
described in Sec. 1022.4; and
(b) Publish each such adjustment in the Federal Register.

[[Page 64433]]

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

(a) Pursuant to the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, as it
amends the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990,
the increase of a civil monetary penalty assessed under this section
shall be determined by multiplying the Cost-of-Living Adjustment by the
existing maximum civil monetary penalty, rounded to the nearest
specified amount using the guidelines set forth in paragraph (b) of
this section.
(b) Any increase determined under paragraph (a) of this section
shall be rounded to the nearest:
(1) Multiple of $10 in the case of penalties less than or equal to
$100;
(2) Multiple of $100 in the case of penalties greater than $100 but
less than or equal to $1,000;
(3) Multiple of $1,000 in the case of penalties greater than $1,000
but less than or equal to $10,000;
(4) Multiple of $5,000 in the case of penalties greater than
$10,000 but less than or equal to $100,000;
(5) Multiple of $10,000 in the case of penalties greater than
$100,000 but less than or equal to $200,000; or
(6) Multiple of $25,000 in the case of penalties greater than
$200,000.
(c) The first adjustment of any civil monetary penalty required by
Sec. 1022.3 may not exceed 10% of such penalty.
(d) The first application of the inflation adjustment method
required by the statute results in the following adjustments to the
civil monetary penalties within the jurisdiction of the Board:

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Adjusted
Maximum maximum
U.S. Code citation Civil monetary penalty description penalty amount penalty amount
year 1996 year 2012
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Rail Carrier Civil Penalties
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49 U.S.C. 11901(a)......................... Unless otherwise specified, maximum $5,000 $5,500
penalty for each knowing violation
under this part, and for each day.
49 U.S.C. 11901(b)......................... For each violation under sections 500 550
11124(a)(2) or (b).
49 U.S.C. 11901(b)......................... For each day violation continues... 25 27.50
49 U.S.C. 11901(c)......................... Maximum penalty for each knowing 5,000 5,500
violation under sections 10901-
10906.
49 U.S.C. 11901(d)......................... For each violation under sections 100-500 110-550
11123 or 11124(a)(1).
49 U.S.C. 11901(d)......................... For each day violation continues... 50 55
49 U.S.C. 11901(e)(1)...................... For each violation under sections 500 550
11141-11145.
49 U.S.C. 11901(e)(2)...................... For each violation under section 100 110
11144(b)(1).
49 U.S.C. 11901(e)(3)-(4).................. For each violation of reporting 100 110
requirements, for each day.
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Motor and Water Carrier Civil Penalties
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49 U.S.C. 14901(a)......................... Minimum penalty for each violation 500 550
under sections 13501-13508, 13531,
13901, 13902(c), and for each day.
49 U.S.C. 14901(a)......................... Minimum penalty if not registered 2,000 2,200
to provide passenger
transportation, for each violation
under section 13901, and for each
day.
49 U.S.C. 14901(b)......................... Maximum penalty for each violation 20,000 22,000
of the hazardous waste rules under
section 3001 of the Solid Waste
Disposal Act.
49 U.S.C. 14901(d)(1)...................... Minimum penalty for each violation 1,000 1,100
of household good regulations, and
for each day.
49 U.S.C. 14901(d)(2)...................... Minimum penalty for each instance 10,000 11,000
of transportation of household
goods if broker provides estimate
without carrier agreement.
49 U.S.C. 14901(d)(3)...................... Minimum penalty for each instance 25,000 27,500
of transportation of household
goods without being registered.
49 U.S.C. 14901(e)......................... Minimum penalty for each violation 2,000 2,200
of a transportation rule.
49 U.S.C. 14901(e)(2)...................... Minimum penalty for each additional 5,000 5,500
violation.
49 U.S.C. 14903(a)......................... Maximum penalty for undercharge or 100,000 110,000
overcharge of tariff rate, for
each violation.
49 U.S.C. 14904(a)......................... For first violation, rebates at 200 220
less than the rate in effect.
49 U.S.C. 14904(a)......................... For all subsequent violations...... 250 275
49 U.S.C. 14904(b)(1)...................... Maximum penalty for first violation 500 550
for undercharges by freight
forwarders.
49 U.S.C. 14904(b)(1)...................... Maximum penalty for subsequent 2,000 2,200
violations.
49 U.S.C. 14904(b)(2)...................... Maximum penalty for other first 500 550
violations under section 13702.
49 U.S.C. 14904(b)(2)...................... Maximum penalty for subsequent 2,000 2,200
violations.
49 U.S.C. 14905(a)......................... Maximum penalty for each knowing 10,000 11,000
violation of section 14103(a), and
any violation of section 14103(b).
49 U.S.C. 14906............................ For first attempt to evade 200 220
regulation.
49 U.S.C. 14906............................ Minimum amount for each subsequent 250 275
attempt to evade regulation.
49 U.S.C. 14907............................ Maximum penalty for recordkeeping/ 5,000 5,500
reporting violations.
49 U.S.C. 14908(a)(2)...................... Maximum penalty for violation of 2,000 2,200
section 14908(a)(1).
49 U.S.C. 14910............................ When another civil penalty is not 500 550
specified under this part, for
each day.
49 U.S.C. 14915(a)......................... Minimum penalty for holding a 10,000 11,000
household goods shipment hostage,
for each day.
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Pipeline Carrier Civil Penalties
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49 U.S.C. 16101(a)......................... Maximum penalty for violation of 5,000 5,500
this part, for each day.
49 U.S.C. 16101(b)(1)...................... For each recordkeeping violation 500 550
under section 15722, each day.
49 U.S.C. 16101(b)(2)...................... For each inspection violation 100 110
liable under section 15722, each
day.

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49 U.S.C. 16101(b)(3)...................... For each reporting violation under 100 110
section 15723, each day.
49 U.S.C. 16103(a)......................... Maximum penalty for improper 1,000 1,100
disclosure of information.
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[FR Doc. 2012-25773 Filed 10-19-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P