Inflation Adjustment of Civil Monetary Penalties, 38114-38116 [E9-18351]

Download as PDF 38114 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 146 / Friday, July 31, 2009 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 1—WASTE EXCLUDED FROM NON-SPECIFIC SOURCES—Continued Facility Address Waste description (A) If, anytime after disposal of the delisted waste WRB Refining LLC possesses or is otherwise made aware of any environmental data (including but not limited to leachate data or ground water monitoring data) or any other data relevant to the delisted waste indicating that any constituent identified for the delisting verification testing is at level higher than the delisting level allowed by the Division Director in granting the petition, then the facility must report the data, in writing, to the Division Director within 10 days of first possessing or being made aware of that data. (B) If either the quarterly or annual testing of the waste does not meet the delisting requirements in paragraph 1, WRB Refining LLC must report the data, in writing, to the Division Director within 10 days of first possessing or being made aware of that data. (C) If WRB Refining LLC fails to submit the information described in paragraphs (5), (6)(A) or (6)(B) or if any other information is received from any source, the Division Director will make a preliminary determination as to whether the reported information requires EPA action to protect human health and/or the environment. Further action may include suspending, or revoking the exclusion, or other appropriate response necessary to protect human health and the environment. (D) If the Division Director determines that the reported information requires action by EPA, the Division Director will notify the facility in writing of the actions the Division Director believes are necessary to protect human health and the environment. The notice shall include a statement of the proposed action and a statement providing the facility with an opportunity to present information as to why the proposed EPA action is not necessary. The facility shall have 10 days from the date of the Division Director’s notice to present such information. (E) Following the receipt of information from the facility described in paragraph (6)(D) or (if no information is presented under paragraph (6)(D)) the initial receipt of information described in paragraphs (5), (6)(A) or (6)(B), the Division Director will issue a final written determination describing EPA actions that are necessary to protect human health and/or the environment. Any required action described in the Division Director’s determination shall become effective immediately, unless the Division Director provides otherwise. (7) Notification Requirements WRB Refining LLC must do the following before transporting the delisted waste. Failure to provide this notification will result in a violation of the delisting petition and a possible revocation of the decision. (A) Provide a one-time written notification to any state Regulatory Agency to which or through which it will transport the delisted waste described above for disposal, 60 days before beginning such activities. (B) Update the one-time written notification if it ships the delisted waste into a different disposal facility. (C) Failure to provide this notification will result in a violation of the delisting variance and a possible revocation of the decision. * * * [FR Doc. E9–18389 Filed 7–30–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION 46 CFR Part 506 [Docket No. 09–04] RIN 3072–AC36 Inflation Adjustment of Civil Monetary Penalties July 28, 2009. Federal Maritime Commission. Final rule. AGENCY: rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with RULES ACTION: SUMMARY: This rule implements the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, as amended by the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996. The rule adjusts for inflation the maximum amount of each statutory civil penalty subject to Federal Maritime Commission (‘‘Commission’’) VerDate Nov<24>2008 15:21 Jul 30, 2009 Jkt 217001 * * jurisdiction in accordance with the requirements of that Act. DATES: Effective Date: July 31, 2009. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vern W. Hill, Director, Bureau of Enforcement, Federal Maritime Commission, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., Room 900, Washington, DC 20573, (202) 523–5783. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This rule implements the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 (‘‘DCIA’’), Public Law 104–134, Title III, section 31001(s)(1), April 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 1321–373. The DCIA amended the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 (‘‘FCPIAA’’), Public Law 101–410, Oct. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 890, 28 U.S.C. 2461 note, to require the head of each executive agency to adopt regulations that adjust the maximum civil monetary penalties (‘‘CMPs’’) assessable under its agency’s jurisdiction at least every four years to ensure that they continue to maintain PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 * * their deterrent value.1 The Commission last adjusted each CMP subject to its jurisdiction effective August 15, 2000. (65 FR 49741). The inflation adjustment under the FCPIAA is to be determined by increasing the maximum CMP by the cost-of-living, rounded off as set forth in section 5(a) of that Act. The cost-ofliving adjustment is the percentage (if any) for each CMP by which the Consumer Price Index (‘‘CPI’’) 2 for the month of June of the calendar year preceding the adjustment, exceeds the CPI for the month of June of the calendar year in which the amount of such CMP was last set or adjusted pursuant to law. 1 Increased CMPS are applicable only to violations occurring after the increase takes effect. 2 The CPI defined in the FCPIAA is the U.S. Department of Labor’s Consumer Price Index for allurban consumers (‘‘CPI–U’’). 28 U.S.C. 2461 note (3)(3). E:\FR\FM\31JYR1.SGM 31JYR1 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 146 / Friday, July 31, 2009 / Rules and Regulations One example of an inflation adjustment is as follows. Section 13 of the Shipping Act of 1984 (‘‘1984 Act’’), 46 U.S.C. 41107, imposes a maximum $25,000 penalty for a knowing and willful violation of the 1984 Act which was inflation adjusted in 2000 to $30,000. First, to calculate the new CMP amounts under the amendment, we determine the appropriate CPI–U for June of the calendar year preceding the adjustment. Given that we are adjusting the CMPs in 2009, we use the CPI–U for June of 2008, which was 218.815. The CPI–U for June of the year the CMP was last adjusted for inflation must also be determined. The Commission last adjusted this CMP in 2000, therefore we use the CPI–U for June of 2000, which was 172.4. Using those figures, we calculate the cost-of-living adjustment by dividing the CPI–U for June of 2008 (218.815) by the CPI–U for June of 2000 (172.4). Our result is 1.2692. Second, we calculate the raw inflation adjustment (the inflation adjustment prior to rounding) by multiplying the maximum penalty amount by the costof-living adjustment. In our example, $30,000 multiplied by the cost-of-living adjustment of 1.2692 equals $38,076.85 Third, we use the rounding rules set forth in Section 5(a) of the FCIPAA. In order to round only the increase amount, we subtract the current maximum penalty amount ($30,000) from the raw maximum inflation adjustment ($38,319), equaling $8,076.85. Under Section 5(a), if the penalty is greater than $10,000 but less than or equal to $100,000, we round the increase to the nearest multiple of $5,000. Therefore, the maximum penalty increase in our example is $10,000. Finally, the rounded increase is added to the maximum penalty amount last set or adjusted. Here, $30,000 plus $10,000 equals a maximum inflation adjustment penalty amount of $40,000. A similar calculation was done with respect to each CMP subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission. In compliance with the FCPIAA, as amended, the Commission is hereby amending 46 CFR 506.4(d) of its regulations which sets forth the newly adjusted maximum penalty amounts. This final rule has been issued without prior public notice or opportunity for public comment. Under the Administrative Procedures Act (‘‘APA’’), 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), a final rule may be issued without that process ‘‘when the agency for good cause finds (and incorporates the finding and a brief statement of reasons therefor in the rules issued) that notice and public procedure thereon are impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.’’ In this instance, the Commission finds, for good cause, that solicitation of public comment on this final rule is unnecessary and impractical. Specifically, the Congress has mandated that the agency periodically make the inflation adjustments and does not allow for the exercise of Commission discretion regarding the substance of the adjustments. The Commission, under the DCIA, is required to make the adjustment to the civil monetary penalties according to a formula specified in the statute. The regulation requires ministerial, technical computations that are noncontroversial. Moreover, the conduct underlying the penalties is already illegal under existing law, and there is no need to provide thirty days prior to the effectiveness of the regulation and amendments to allow for affected parties to correct their conduct. Accordingly, the Commission believes that there is good cause to make this regulation effective immediately upon publication. In accordance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601–612, the Chairman of the Commission has certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy, Small Business Administration, that the rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, including small businesses, small organizational units, and small governmental jurisdictions because it merely increases the maximum statutory civil monetary penalty for those entities that commit violations after the effective date of this rule. The Commission recognizes that the rule can impact certain regulated parties that qualify as small entities under the guidelines of the Small Business Administration. However, the assessment of civil penalties affects only those regulated parties that have been found to be in violation of the shipping statues and/or regulations, which is not likely to be substantial in number. The Commission rarely has imposed the statutory maximum civil monetary penalty and, moreover, considers the ability of a respondent to pay a civil monetary penalty in determining its amount. The size of a company necessarily enters into a determination of its ability to pay. Further, the adjustment of civil penalties deters regulated parties from engaging in harmful activities that violate the shipping statutes and regulations, which serves to protect the public and the system of ocean liner transportation. The rule does not contain any collection of information requirements as defined by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, as amended. Therefore, Office of Management and Budget review is not required. This regulatory action is not a major rule as defined under 5 U.S.C. 804(2). List of Subjects in 46 CFR Part 506 Administrative practice and procedure, Penalties. ■ Part 506 of title 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows: PART 506—CIVIL MONETARY PENALTY INFLATION ADJUSTMENT 1. The authority citation for part 506 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 28 U.S.C. 2461. 2. In § 506.4, revise paragraph (d) to read as follows: ■ § 506.4 Cost of living adjustments of civil monetary penalties. * * * * * (d) Inflation adjustment. Maximum Civil Monetary Penalties within the jurisdiction of the Federal Maritime Commission are adjusted for inflation as follows: Current maximum penalty amount rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with RULES United States Code citation Civil Monetary Penalty description 46 U.S.C. 42304 ............... 46 U.S.C. 41107(a) ........... Adverse impact on U.S. carriers by foreign shipping practices .............................. Knowing and Willful violation/Shipping Act of 1984, or Commission regulation or order. Violation of Shipping Act of 1984, Commission regulation or order, not knowing or willful. Operating in foreign commerce after tariff suspension ........................................... 46 U.S.C. 41107(b) ........... 46 U.S.C. 41108(b) ........... VerDate Nov<24>2008 15:21 Jul 30, 2009 Jkt 217001 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 38115 E:\FR\FM\31JYR1.SGM 31JYR1 New adjusted maximum penalty amount $1,175,000 30,000 $1,500,000 40,000 6,000 8,000 60,000 75,000 38116 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 146 / Friday, July 31, 2009 / Rules and Regulations United States Code citation 46 46 46 46 U.S.C. U.S.C. U.S.C. U.S.C. 42104 42106 42108 44102 Current maximum penalty amount Civil Monetary Penalty description ............... ............... ............... ............... Failure to provide required reports, etc./Merchant Marine Act of 1920 .................. Adverse shipping conditions/Merchant Marine Act of 1920 .................................... Operating after tariff or service contract suspension/Merchant Marine Act of 1920 Failure to establish financial responsibility for non-performance of transportation 46 U.S.C. 44103 ............... Failure to establish financial responsibility for death or injury ................................. 31 U.S.C. 3802(a)(1) ........ 31 U.S.C. 3802(a)(2) ........ Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act/makes false claim ........................................... Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act/giving false statement ..................................... By the Commission. Karen V. Gregory, Secretary. [FR Doc. E9–18351 Filed 7–30–09; 8:45 am] rmajette on DSK29S0YB1PROD with RULES BILLING CODE 6730–01–P VerDate Nov<24>2008 15:21 Jul 30, 2009 Jkt 217001 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\31JYR1.SGM 31JYR1 6,000 1,175,000 60,000 6,000 220 6,000 220 6,000 6,000 New adjusted maximum penalty amount 8,000 1,500,000 75,000 8,000 300 8,000 300 8,000 8,000

Agencies

Federal Maritime Commission

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 146 (Friday, July 31, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38114-38116]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-18351]

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FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION

46 CFR Part 506

[Docket No. 09-04]
RIN 3072-AC36

Inflation Adjustment of Civil Monetary Penalties

July 28, 2009.
AGENCY: Federal Maritime Commission.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This rule implements the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation
Adjustment Act of 1990, as amended by the Debt Collection Improvement
Act of 1996. The rule adjusts for inflation the maximum amount of each
statutory civil penalty subject to Federal Maritime Commission
(``Commission'') jurisdiction in accordance with the requirements of
that Act.

DATES: Effective Date: July 31, 2009.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vern W. Hill, Director, Bureau of
Enforcement, Federal Maritime Commission, 800 North Capitol Street,
NW., Room 900, Washington, DC 20573, (202) 523-5783.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This rule implements the Debt Collection
Improvement Act of 1996 (``DCIA''), Public Law 104-134, Title III,
section 31001(s)(1), April 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 1321-373. The DCIA
amended the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990
(``FCPIAA''), Public Law 101-410, Oct. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 890, 28
U.S.C. 2461 note, to require the head of each executive agency to adopt
regulations that adjust the maximum civil monetary penalties (``CMPs'')
assessable under its agency's jurisdiction at least every four years to
ensure that they continue to maintain their deterrent value.\1\ The
Commission last adjusted each CMP subject to its jurisdiction effective
August 15, 2000. (65 FR 49741).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\1\ Increased CMPS are applicable only to violations occurring
after the increase takes effect.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The inflation adjustment under the FCPIAA is to be determined by
increasing the maximum CMP by the cost-of-living, rounded off as set
forth in section 5(a) of that Act. The cost-of-living adjustment is the
percentage (if any) for each CMP by which the Consumer Price Index
(``CPI'') \2\ for the month of June of the calendar year preceding the
adjustment, exceeds the CPI for the month of June of the calendar year
in which the amount of such CMP was last set or adjusted pursuant to
law.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\2\ The CPI defined in the FCPIAA is the U.S. Department of
Labor's Consumer Price Index for all-urban consumers (``CPI-U''). 28
U.S.C. 2461 note (3)(3).

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 38115]]

One example of an inflation adjustment is as follows. Section 13 of
the Shipping Act of 1984 (``1984 Act''), 46 U.S.C. 41107, imposes a
maximum $25,000 penalty for a knowing and willful violation of the 1984
Act which was inflation adjusted in 2000 to $30,000. First, to
calculate the new CMP amounts under the amendment, we determine the
appropriate CPI-U for June of the calendar year preceding the
adjustment. Given that we are adjusting the CMPs in 2009, we use the
CPI-U for June of 2008, which was 218.815. The CPI-U for June of the
year the CMP was last adjusted for inflation must also be determined.
The Commission last adjusted this CMP in 2000, therefore we use the
CPI-U for June of 2000, which was 172.4. Using those figures, we
calculate the cost-of-living adjustment by dividing the CPI-U for June
of 2008 (218.815) by the CPI-U for June of 2000 (172.4). Our result is
1.2692.
Second, we calculate the raw inflation adjustment (the inflation
adjustment prior to rounding) by multiplying the maximum penalty amount
by the cost-of-living adjustment. In our example, $30,000 multiplied by
the cost-of-living adjustment of 1.2692 equals $38,076.85
Third, we use the rounding rules set forth in Section 5(a) of the
FCIPAA. In order to round only the increase amount, we subtract the
current maximum penalty amount ($30,000) from the raw maximum inflation
adjustment ($38,319), equaling $8,076.85. Under Section 5(a), if the
penalty is greater than $10,000 but less than or equal to $100,000, we
round the increase to the nearest multiple of $5,000. Therefore, the
maximum penalty increase in our example is $10,000.
Finally, the rounded increase is added to the maximum penalty
amount last set or adjusted. Here, $30,000 plus $10,000 equals a
maximum inflation adjustment penalty amount of $40,000.
A similar calculation was done with respect to each CMP subject to
the jurisdiction of the Commission. In compliance with the FCPIAA, as
amended, the Commission is hereby amending 46 CFR 506.4(d) of its
regulations which sets forth the newly adjusted maximum penalty
amounts.
This final rule has been issued without prior public notice or
opportunity for public comment. Under the Administrative Procedures Act
(``APA''), 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), a final rule may be issued without that
process ``when the agency for good cause finds (and incorporates the
finding and a brief statement of reasons therefor in the rules issued)
that notice and public procedure thereon are impracticable,
unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.'' In this instance,
the Commission finds, for good cause, that solicitation of public
comment on this final rule is unnecessary and impractical.
Specifically, the Congress has mandated that the agency
periodically make the inflation adjustments and does not allow for the
exercise of Commission discretion regarding the substance of the
adjustments. The Commission, under the DCIA, is required to make the
adjustment to the civil monetary penalties according to a formula
specified in the statute. The regulation requires ministerial,
technical computations that are noncontroversial. Moreover, the conduct
underlying the penalties is already illegal under existing law, and
there is no need to provide thirty days prior to the effectiveness of
the regulation and amendments to allow for affected parties to correct
their conduct. Accordingly, the Commission believes that there is good
cause to make this regulation effective immediately upon publication.
In accordance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601-
612, the Chairman of the Commission has certified to the Chief Counsel
for Advocacy, Small Business Administration, that the rule will not
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities, including small businesses, small organizational units, and
small governmental jurisdictions because it merely increases the
maximum statutory civil monetary penalty for those entities that commit
violations after the effective date of this rule. The Commission
recognizes that the rule can impact certain regulated parties that
qualify as small entities under the guidelines of the Small Business
Administration. However, the assessment of civil penalties affects only
those regulated parties that have been found to be in violation of the
shipping statues and/or regulations, which is not likely to be
substantial in number. The Commission rarely has imposed the statutory
maximum civil monetary penalty and, moreover, considers the ability of
a respondent to pay a civil monetary penalty in determining its amount.
The size of a company necessarily enters into a determination of its
ability to pay. Further, the adjustment of civil penalties deters
regulated parties from engaging in harmful activities that violate the
shipping statutes and regulations, which serves to protect the public
and the system of ocean liner transportation.
The rule does not contain any collection of information
requirements as defined by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, as
amended. Therefore, Office of Management and Budget review is not
required.
This regulatory action is not a major rule as defined under 5
U.S.C. 804(2).

List of Subjects in 46 CFR Part 506

Administrative practice and procedure, Penalties.

0
Part 506 of title 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended as
follows:

PART 506--CIVIL MONETARY PENALTY INFLATION ADJUSTMENT

0
1. The authority citation for part 506 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 28 U.S.C. 2461.

0
2. In Sec. 506.4, revise paragraph (d) to read as follows:

Sec. 506.4 Cost of living adjustments of civil monetary penalties.

* * * * *
(d) Inflation adjustment. Maximum Civil Monetary Penalties within
the jurisdiction of the Federal Maritime Commission are adjusted for
inflation as follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current New adjusted
maximum maximum
United States Code citation Civil Monetary Penalty description penalty penalty
amount amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
46 U.S.C. 42304......................... Adverse impact on U.S. carriers by $1,175,000 $1,500,000
foreign shipping practices.
46 U.S.C. 41107(a)...................... Knowing and Willful violation/Shipping 30,000 40,000
Act of 1984, or Commission regulation
or order.
46 U.S.C. 41107(b)...................... Violation of Shipping Act of 1984, 6,000 8,000
Commission regulation or order, not
knowing or willful.
46 U.S.C. 41108(b)...................... Operating in foreign commerce after 60,000 75,000
tariff suspension.

[[Page 38116]]

46 U.S.C. 42104......................... Failure to provide required reports, 6,000 8,000
etc./Merchant Marine Act of 1920.
46 U.S.C. 42106......................... Adverse shipping conditions/Merchant 1,175,000 1,500,000
Marine Act of 1920.
46 U.S.C. 42108......................... Operating after tariff or service 60,000 75,000
contract suspension/Merchant Marine
Act of 1920.
46 U.S.C. 44102......................... Failure to establish financial 6,000 8,000
responsibility for non-performance of 220 300
transportation.
46 U.S.C. 44103......................... Failure to establish financial 6,000 8,000
responsibility for death or injury. 220 300
31 U.S.C. 3802(a)(1).................... Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act/makes 6,000 8,000
false claim.
31 U.S.C. 3802(a)(2).................... Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act/ 6,000 8,000
giving false statement.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

By the Commission.
Karen V. Gregory,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E9-18351 Filed 7-30-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6730-01-P

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