Adjustments to Civil Penalty Amounts, 13539-13540 [2014-05266]
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 47 / Tuesday, March 11, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
[FR Doc. 2014–04301 Filed 3–10–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
16 CFR Part 1
Adjustments to Civil Penalty Amounts
Federal Trade Commission.
Final rule amendments.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Federal Trade
Commission (‘‘FTC’’ or ‘‘Commission’’)
is increasing certain civil penalty
amounts within its jurisdiction, as
required by law. These adjustments
reflect inflation since the penalty
amounts were last adjusted.
DATES: Effective April 10, 2014.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kenny A. Wright, Attorney, Office of the
General Counsel, FTC, 600
Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington,
DC 20580, (202) 326–2907, kwright@
ftc.gov.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES
SUMMARY:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Commission Rule 1.98 sets forth civil
penalty amounts for violations of certain
laws enforced by the Commission.1 The
Commission is increasing many of these
amounts to account for inflation, as
required by the Federal Civil Penalties
Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990
(‘‘FCPIAA’’),2 as amended by the Debt
Collection Improvement Act of 1996.3
The following adjusted amounts will
take effect on April 10, 2014:
• Section 11(l) of the Clayton Act, 15
U.S.C. 21(l) (violations of cease and
desist orders issued under Clayton Act
section 11(b))—$8,500;
• Section 10 of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C.
50 (failure to file reports required by
FTC Act)—$210;
• Section 5 of the Webb-Pomerene
(Export Trade) Act, 15 U.S.C. 65 (failure
to file required business information
with the Commission)—$210;
• Section 6(b) of the Wool Products
Labeling Act, 15 U.SC. 68d(b) (failure to
maintain proper records of fiber
content)—$210;
• Section 3(e) of the Fur Products
Labeling Act, 15 U.S.C. 69a(e) (failure to
maintain records)—$210;
• Section 8(d)(2) of the Fur Products
Labeling Act, 15 U.S.C. 69f(d)(2) (failure
to maintain records)—$210;
• Section 333(a) of the Energy Policy
and Conservation Act, 42 U.S.C. 6303(a)
(FTC enforcement of knowing
violations)—$210;
• Section 525(a) of the Energy Policy
and Conservation Act, 42 U.S.C. 6395(a)
(recycled oil labeling violations)—
$8,500;
• Section 1115(a) of the Medicare
Prescription Drug Improvement and
Modernization Act of 2003, Public Law
108–173, 21 U.S.C. 355 note (failure to
comply with filing requirements)—
$12,100; and
• Section 814(a) of the Energy
Independence and Security Act of 2007,
42 U.S.C. 17304 (violations of
prohibitions on market manipulation
and provision of false information to
federal agencies)—$1,100,000
The FCPIAA’s rounding rules do not
permit adjustment of the other civil
penalties listed in Rule 1.98 at this
time.4
Calculation of Inflation Adjustments
The FCPIAA directs federal agencies
to adjust civil monetary penalties under
their jurisdiction for inflation at least
once every four years pursuant to a
statutory ‘‘cost-of-living adjustment.’’ 5
The cost of living adjustment is defined
as the percentage by which the U.S.
Department of Labor’s Consumer Price
Index for all-urban consumers (‘‘CPI–
U’’) for the month of June for the year
preceding the adjustment exceeds the
CPI–U for the month of June for the year
in which the amount of the penalty was
last set or adjusted pursuant to law.6
Agencies do not have discretion over
whether to adjust a maximum civil
penalty at least once every four years, or
the method used to determine the
adjustment.
The Commission previously adjusted
its civil penalty amounts in 1996, 2004,
and 2009.7 No adjustments were
warranted in 2000 due to the FCPIAA’s
rounding rules.8
In 2009, the Commission adjusted
civil penalties under Clayton Act
sections 7A(g)(1) and 11(l), FTC Act
sections 5(l) and 5(m)(1)(A)–(B),
sections 525(a) and (b) of the Energy
Policy and Conservation Act (‘‘EPCA’’),
and section 621(a)(2) of the Fair Credit
Reporting Act (‘‘FCRA’’). See 74 FR 857
(Jan. 9, 2009). For these civil penalties,
the relevant inflation period is between
June 2009 and June 2013. Within that
timeframe, the CPI–U has increased
from 215.693 to 233.504, or 8.3%. This
increase triggers a statutory adjustment
from $7,500 to $8,500 for civil penalties
under Clayton Act section 11(l) and
EPCA section 525(a).
4 28
U.S.C. 2461 note (5)(a).
5 Id.
1 16
CFR 1.98.
U.S.C. 2461 note.
3 Public Law 104–134, section 31001(s)(1), 110
Stat. 1321–373.
2 28
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16:00 Mar 10, 2014
Jkt 232001
6 28
U.S.C. 2461 note (3), (5)(b).
61 FR 54,548 (Oct. 21, 1996); 69 FR 76,611
(Dec. 22, 2004); 74 FR 857 (Jan. 9, 2009).
8 See 65 FR 69,665 (Nov. 20, 2000).
7 See
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Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
13539
At this time, the statute’s rounding
rules do not authorize the FTC to
increase the amounts of the other civil
penalties previously adjusted in 2009.
The FCPIAA contains specific rules for
rounding each increase based on the
size of the penalty.9 Increases in civil
penalties of greater than $10,000 and
less than or equal to $100,000 must be
in $5,000 increments, and the increase
in the CPI between June 2009 and June
2013 was not high enough to round up
any adjustment to $5,000. Thus, the
statute does not permit adjustments for
civil penalties under Clayton Act
sections 7A(g)(1), FTC Act sections 5(l)
and 5(m)(1)(A)–(B), and EPCA section
525(b). Likewise, increases in civil
penalties of greater than $1,000 and less
than or equal to $10,000 must be in
increments of $1,000, and the increase
in the CPI was not high enough to
warrant an adjustment for civil penalties
under FCRA section 621(a)(2).
The other civil penalties in Rule 1.98
did not qualify for adjustment in 2009.10
These additional penalties were last
adjusted in 1996.11 Thus, the relevant
inflation period is between June 1996
and June 2013. Within that time frame,
the CPI–U has increased from 156.7 to
233.504 for a total percentage increase
of 49.0%. Applying this percentage
increase results in an adjustment from
$110 to $210 for civil penalties under
the following statutory provisions: FTC
Act section 10, Webb-Pomerene (Export
Trade) Act section 5, Wool Products
Labeling Act section 6(b), Fur Products
Labeling Act sections 3(e) and 8(d)(2),
and EPCA section 333(a).
The FTC is increasing the civil
penalty amount under section 1115(a) of
the Medicare Prescription Drug
Improvement and Modernization Act of
2003 (‘‘MMA’’) for the first time.12 From
June 2003 to June 2013, the CPI–U has
increased from 183.7 to 233.504, a
27.1% increase. Because the FCPIAA
imposes a ten percent cap on initial
civil penalty adjustments, the
9 28
U.S.C. 2461 note (5)(a)(1)–(6).
FR at 858.
11 The Commission reviewed these civil penalties
for potential adjustments in 2000 and 2004, but
determined that no adjustments inflation were
warranted at that time. See 65 FR at 69665; 69 FR
at 76612. In 2004, only the civil penalties under
section 11(l) of the Clayton Act and sections 525(a)(b) of EPCA were adjusted for inflation, 69 FR at
76612. These penalties were subsequently adjusted
for inflation again in 2009, along with the others
identified above. 74 FR at 858.
12 In 2004 and 2009, the Commission reviewed
the penalties under Section 1115(a) of the MMA but
determined that no adjustments were warranted by
inflation at that time. 69 FR at 76612; 74 FR at 858.
10 74
E:\FR\FM\11MRR1.SGM
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13540
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 47 / Tuesday, March 11, 2014 / Rules and Regulations
Commission is adjusting this penalty
from $11,000 to $12,100.13
In addition, the FTC is adjusting civil
penalties under section 814(a) of the
Energy Independence and Security Act
of 2007 (‘‘EISA’’) 14 The CPI–U has
increased from 208.352 in June 2007 to
233.504 in June 2013, or 12.1%.
Applying this percentage increase and
the FCPIAA’s ten percent cap on initial
adjustments, this penalty will increase
from $1,000,000 to $1,100,000.
To reflect these adjustments, the FTC
is amending Commission Rule 1.98 by
modifying paragraphs (b) and (f)–(l),
adding new paragraphs (n)–(o), and
redesignating current paragraph (n) as
paragraph (p). These changes take effect
on April 10, 2014.
Procedural Requirements
Under the Administrative Procedure
Act (‘‘APA’’), a final rule may be issued
without public notice and comment if
an agency finds good cause that notice
and comment are impractical,
unnecessary, or contrary to the public
interest. 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B). Because
the Commission must adjust its civil
penalties according to a statutory
formula, the Commission finds that
good cause exists to forego public notice
and comment under the APA. Id.
Because these adjustments are
mandated by statute and do not involve
the exercise of Commission discretion
or any policy judgments, public notice
and comment is unnecessary. For this
reason, the requirements of the
Regulatory Flexibility Act (‘‘RFA’’) also
do not apply.15 Finally, this rule does
not contain any collection of
information requirements as defined by
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 as
amended. 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.
List of Subjects for 16 CFR Part 1
Administrative practice and
procedure, Penalties, Trade practices.
For the reasons set forth in the
preamble, the Federal Trade
Commission amends Title 16, chapter I,
subchapter A, of the Code of Federal
Regulations, as follows:
PART 1—GENERAL PROCEDURES
Subpart L—[Amended]
1. The authority citation for subpart L
continues to read as follows:
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES
■
13 28 U.S.C.2461 note (citing Pub. L. 104–134,
section 31001(s)(2), 110 Stat. 1321, 1373 (1996)).
14 The Commission determined in 2009 that its
civil penalty authority under EISA was too recent
to warrant adjustment for inflation. 74 FR at 858.
15 A regulatory flexibility analysis under the RFA
is required only when an agency must publish a
notice of proposed rulemaking for comment. See 5
U.S.C. 603.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:00 Mar 10, 2014
Jkt 232001
Authority: 28 U.S.C. 2461 note.
■
2. Revise § 1.98 to read as follows:
§ 1.98 Adjustment of civil monetary
penalty amounts.
This section makes inflation
adjustments in the dollar amounts of
civil monetary penalties provided by
law within the Commission’s
jurisdiction. The following civil penalty
amounts apply to violations occurring
after April 10, 2014.
(a) Section 7A(g)(1) of the Clayton
Act, 15 U.S.C. 18a(g)(1)—$16,000;
(b) Section 11(l) of the Clayton Act, 15
U.S.C. 21(l)—$8,500;
(c) Section 5(l) of the FTC Act, 15
U.S.C. 45(l)—$16,000;
(d) Section 5(m)(1)(A) of the FTC Act,
15 U.S.C. 45(m)(1)(A)—$16,000;
(e) Section 5(m)(1)(B) of the FTC Act,
15 U.S.C. 45(m)(1)(B)—$16,000;
(f) Section 10 of the FTC Act, 15
U.S.C. 50—$210;
(g) Section 5 of the Webb-Pomerene
(Export Trade) Act, 15 U.S.C. 65—$210;
(h) Section 6(b) of the Wool Products
Labeling Act, 15 U.SC. 68d(b)—$210;
(i) Section 3(e) of the Fur Products
Labeling Act, 15 U.S.C. 69a(e)—$210;
(j) Section 8(d)(2) of the Fur Products
Labeling Act, 15 U.S.C. 69f(d)(2)—$210;
(k) Section 333(a) of the Energy Policy
and Conservation Act, 42 U.S.C.
6303(a)—$210;
(l) Sections 525(a) and (b) of the
Energy Policy and Conservation Act, 42
U.S.C. 6395(a) and (b), respectively—
$8,500 and $16,000, respectively;
(m) Section 621(a)(2) of the Fair
Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C.
1681s(a)(2)—$3,500;
(n) Section 1115(a) of the Medicare
Prescription Drug Improvement and
Modernization Act of 2003, Public Law
108–173, 21 U.S.C. 355 note—$12,100;
(o) Section 814(a) of the Energy
Independence and Security Act of 2007,
42 U.S.C. 17304—$1,100,000; and
(p) Civil monetary penalties
authorized by reference to the Federal
Trade Commission Act under any other
provision of law within the jurisdiction
of the Commission—refer to the
amounts set forth in paragraphs (c), (d),
(e) and (f) of this section, as applicable.
By direction of the Commission.
Donald S. Clark,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2014–05266 Filed 3–10–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6750–01–P
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
21 CFR Part 172
[Docket No. FDA–2009–F–0570]
Food Additives Permitted for Direct
Addition to Food for Human
Consumption; Vitamin D2 Bakers Yeast
AGENCY:
Food and Drug Administration,
HHS.
Final rule; response to
objections.
ACTION:
The Food and Drug
Administration (FDA or we) is
responding to objections that we have
received on the final rule that amended
the food additive regulations
authorizing the use of vitamin D2 bakers
yeast as a source of vitamin D2 and as
a leavening agent in yeast-leavened
baked products at levels not to exceed
400 International Units (IU) of vitamin
D2 per 100 grams (g) in the finished
food. After reviewing the objections to
the final rule, FDA has concluded that
they do not provide a basis for
amending or revoking the regulation.
DATES: Effective date confirmed: August
29, 2012.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Judith Kidwell, Center for Food Safety
and Applied Nutrition (HFS–265), Food
and Drug Administration, 5100 Paint
Branch Pkwy., College Park, MD 20740–
3835, 240–402–1071.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY:
I. Introduction
In the Federal Register of December
17, 2009 (74 FR 66979), FDA published
a notice announcing the filing of a food
additive petition (FAP 9A4779)
submitted by Lallemand, Inc., c/o
Dennis T. Gordon, 117 N. Welcome
Slough Rd., Puget Island, Cathlamet,
WA 98612. The petition proposed to
amend the food additive regulations in
part 172, Food Additives Permitted for
Direct Addition to Food for Human
Consumption (21 CFR part 172), to
provide for the safe use of vitamin D2
bakers yeast as a dual purpose nutrient
supplement and leavening agent or
dough relaxer in yeast-containing baked
products at levels not to exceed 400 IU
of vitamin D2 per 100 g in the finished
food. The specific foods identified in
the petition were yeast-leavened baked
goods and baking mixes, and yeastleavened baked snack foods. After the
notice was published, Lallemand
amended the petition to exclude the
proposed use of the additive as a dough
relaxer.
E:\FR\FM\11MRR1.SGM
11MRR1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 47 (Tuesday, March 11, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13539-13540]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-05266]
=======================================================================
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FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
16 CFR Part 1
Adjustments to Civil Penalty Amounts
AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission.
ACTION: Final rule amendments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Federal Trade Commission (``FTC'' or ``Commission'') is
increasing certain civil penalty amounts within its jurisdiction, as
required by law. These adjustments reflect inflation since the penalty
amounts were last adjusted.
DATES: Effective April 10, 2014.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenny A. Wright, Attorney, Office of
the General Counsel, FTC, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC
20580, (202) 326-2907, kwright@ftc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Commission Rule 1.98 sets forth civil
penalty amounts for violations of certain laws enforced by the
Commission.\1\ The Commission is increasing many of these amounts to
account for inflation, as required by the Federal Civil Penalties
Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 (``FCPIAA''),\2\ as amended by the
Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996.\3\ The following adjusted
amounts will take effect on April 10, 2014:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 16 CFR 1.98.
\2\ 28 U.S.C. 2461 note.
\3\ Public Law 104-134, section 31001(s)(1), 110 Stat. 1321-373.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 11(l) of the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. 21(l)
(violations of cease and desist orders issued under Clayton Act section
11(b))--$8,500;
Section 10 of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. 50 (failure to file
reports required by FTC Act)--$210;
Section 5 of the Webb-Pomerene (Export Trade) Act, 15
U.S.C. 65 (failure to file required business information with the
Commission)--$210;
Section 6(b) of the Wool Products Labeling Act, 15 U.SC.
68d(b) (failure to maintain proper records of fiber content)--$210;
Section 3(e) of the Fur Products Labeling Act, 15 U.S.C.
69a(e) (failure to maintain records)--$210;
Section 8(d)(2) of the Fur Products Labeling Act, 15
U.S.C. 69f(d)(2) (failure to maintain records)--$210;
Section 333(a) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act,
42 U.S.C. 6303(a) (FTC enforcement of knowing violations)--$210;
Section 525(a) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act,
42 U.S.C. 6395(a) (recycled oil labeling violations)--$8,500;
Section 1115(a) of the Medicare Prescription Drug
Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, Public Law 108-173, 21
U.S.C. 355 note (failure to comply with filing requirements)--$12,100;
and
Section 814(a) of the Energy Independence and Security Act
of 2007, 42 U.S.C. 17304 (violations of prohibitions on market
manipulation and provision of false information to federal agencies)--
$1,100,000
The FCPIAA's rounding rules do not permit adjustment of the other
civil penalties listed in Rule 1.98 at this time.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ 28 U.S.C. 2461 note (5)(a).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Calculation of Inflation Adjustments
The FCPIAA directs federal agencies to adjust civil monetary
penalties under their jurisdiction for inflation at least once every
four years pursuant to a statutory ``cost-of-living adjustment.'' \5\
The cost of living adjustment is defined as the percentage by which the
U.S. Department of Labor's Consumer Price Index for all-urban consumers
(``CPI-U'') for the month of June for the year preceding the adjustment
exceeds the CPI-U for the month of June for the year in which the
amount of the penalty was last set or adjusted pursuant to law.\6\
Agencies do not have discretion over whether to adjust a maximum civil
penalty at least once every four years, or the method used to determine
the adjustment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ Id.
\6\ 28 U.S.C. 2461 note (3), (5)(b).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Commission previously adjusted its civil penalty amounts in
1996, 2004, and 2009.\7\ No adjustments were warranted in 2000 due to
the FCPIAA's rounding rules.\8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\7\ See 61 FR 54,548 (Oct. 21, 1996); 69 FR 76,611 (Dec. 22,
2004); 74 FR 857 (Jan. 9, 2009).
\8\ See 65 FR 69,665 (Nov. 20, 2000).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In 2009, the Commission adjusted civil penalties under Clayton Act
sections 7A(g)(1) and 11(l), FTC Act sections 5(l) and 5(m)(1)(A)-(B),
sections 525(a) and (b) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act
(``EPCA''), and section 621(a)(2) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act
(``FCRA''). See 74 FR 857 (Jan. 9, 2009). For these civil penalties,
the relevant inflation period is between June 2009 and June 2013.
Within that timeframe, the CPI-U has increased from 215.693 to 233.504,
or 8.3%. This increase triggers a statutory adjustment from $7,500 to
$8,500 for civil penalties under Clayton Act section 11(l) and EPCA
section 525(a).
At this time, the statute's rounding rules do not authorize the FTC
to increase the amounts of the other civil penalties previously
adjusted in 2009. The FCPIAA contains specific rules for rounding each
increase based on the size of the penalty.\9\ Increases in civil
penalties of greater than $10,000 and less than or equal to $100,000
must be in $5,000 increments, and the increase in the CPI between June
2009 and June 2013 was not high enough to round up any adjustment to
$5,000. Thus, the statute does not permit adjustments for civil
penalties under Clayton Act sections 7A(g)(1), FTC Act sections 5(l)
and 5(m)(1)(A)-(B), and EPCA section 525(b). Likewise, increases in
civil penalties of greater than $1,000 and less than or equal to
$10,000 must be in increments of $1,000, and the increase in the CPI
was not high enough to warrant an adjustment for civil penalties under
FCRA section 621(a)(2).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\9\ 28 U.S.C. 2461 note (5)(a)(1)-(6).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The other civil penalties in Rule 1.98 did not qualify for
adjustment in 2009.\10\ These additional penalties were last adjusted
in 1996.\11\ Thus, the relevant inflation period is between June 1996
and June 2013. Within that time frame, the CPI-U has increased from
156.7 to 233.504 for a total percentage increase of 49.0%. Applying
this percentage increase results in an adjustment from $110 to $210 for
civil penalties under the following statutory provisions: FTC Act
section 10, Webb-Pomerene (Export Trade) Act section 5, Wool Products
Labeling Act section 6(b), Fur Products Labeling Act sections 3(e) and
8(d)(2), and EPCA section 333(a).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\10\ 74 FR at 858.
\11\ The Commission reviewed these civil penalties for potential
adjustments in 2000 and 2004, but determined that no adjustments
inflation were warranted at that time. See 65 FR at 69665; 69 FR at
76612. In 2004, only the civil penalties under section 11(l) of the
Clayton Act and sections 525(a)-(b) of EPCA were adjusted for
inflation, 69 FR at 76612. These penalties were subsequently
adjusted for inflation again in 2009, along with the others
identified above. 74 FR at 858.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FTC is increasing the civil penalty amount under section
1115(a) of the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization
Act of 2003 (``MMA'') for the first time.\12\ From June 2003 to June
2013, the CPI-U has increased from 183.7 to 233.504, a 27.1% increase.
Because the FCPIAA imposes a ten percent cap on initial civil penalty
adjustments, the
[[Page 13540]]
Commission is adjusting this penalty from $11,000 to $12,100.\13\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\12\ In 2004 and 2009, the Commission reviewed the penalties
under Section 1115(a) of the MMA but determined that no adjustments
were warranted by inflation at that time. 69 FR at 76612; 74 FR at
858.
\13\ 28 U.S.C.2461 note (citing Pub. L. 104-134, section
31001(s)(2), 110 Stat. 1321, 1373 (1996)).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In addition, the FTC is adjusting civil penalties under section
814(a) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (``EISA'')
\14\ The CPI-U has increased from 208.352 in June 2007 to 233.504 in
June 2013, or 12.1%. Applying this percentage increase and the FCPIAA's
ten percent cap on initial adjustments, this penalty will increase from
$1,000,000 to $1,100,000.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\14\ The Commission determined in 2009 that its civil penalty
authority under EISA was too recent to warrant adjustment for
inflation. 74 FR at 858.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
To reflect these adjustments, the FTC is amending Commission Rule
1.98 by modifying paragraphs (b) and (f)-(l), adding new paragraphs
(n)-(o), and redesignating current paragraph (n) as paragraph (p).
These changes take effect on April 10, 2014.
Procedural Requirements
Under the Administrative Procedure Act (``APA''), a final rule may
be issued without public notice and comment if an agency finds good
cause that notice and comment are impractical, unnecessary, or contrary
to the public interest. 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B). Because the Commission
must adjust its civil penalties according to a statutory formula, the
Commission finds that good cause exists to forego public notice and
comment under the APA. Id. Because these adjustments are mandated by
statute and do not involve the exercise of Commission discretion or any
policy judgments, public notice and comment is unnecessary. For this
reason, the requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (``RFA'')
also do not apply.\15\ Finally, this rule does not contain any
collection of information requirements as defined by the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 as amended. 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\15\ A regulatory flexibility analysis under the RFA is required
only when an agency must publish a notice of proposed rulemaking for
comment. See 5 U.S.C. 603.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
List of Subjects for 16 CFR Part 1
Administrative practice and procedure, Penalties, Trade practices.
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Federal Trade
Commission amends Title 16, chapter I, subchapter A, of the Code of
Federal Regulations, as follows:
PART 1--GENERAL PROCEDURES
Subpart L--[Amended]
0
1. The authority citation for subpart L continues to read as follows:
Authority: 28 U.S.C. 2461 note.
0
2. Revise Sec. 1.98 to read as follows:
Sec. 1.98 Adjustment of civil monetary penalty amounts.
This section makes inflation adjustments in the dollar amounts of
civil monetary penalties provided by law within the Commission's
jurisdiction. The following civil penalty amounts apply to violations
occurring after April 10, 2014.
(a) Section 7A(g)(1) of the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. 18a(g)(1)--
$16,000;
(b) Section 11(l) of the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. 21(l)--$8,500;
(c) Section 5(l) of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. 45(l)--$16,000;
(d) Section 5(m)(1)(A) of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. 45(m)(1)(A)--
$16,000;
(e) Section 5(m)(1)(B) of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. 45(m)(1)(B)--
$16,000;
(f) Section 10 of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. 50--$210;
(g) Section 5 of the Webb-Pomerene (Export Trade) Act, 15 U.S.C.
65--$210;
(h) Section 6(b) of the Wool Products Labeling Act, 15 U.SC.
68d(b)--$210;
(i) Section 3(e) of the Fur Products Labeling Act, 15 U.S.C.
69a(e)--$210;
(j) Section 8(d)(2) of the Fur Products Labeling Act, 15 U.S.C.
69f(d)(2)--$210;
(k) Section 333(a) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, 42
U.S.C. 6303(a)--$210;
(l) Sections 525(a) and (b) of the Energy Policy and Conservation
Act, 42 U.S.C. 6395(a) and (b), respectively--$8,500 and $16,000,
respectively;
(m) Section 621(a)(2) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C.
1681s(a)(2)--$3,500;
(n) Section 1115(a) of the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement
and Modernization Act of 2003, Public Law 108-173, 21 U.S.C. 355 note--
$12,100;
(o) Section 814(a) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of
2007, 42 U.S.C. 17304--$1,100,000; and
(p) Civil monetary penalties authorized by reference to the Federal
Trade Commission Act under any other provision of law within the
jurisdiction of the Commission--refer to the amounts set forth in
paragraphs (c), (d), (e) and (f) of this section, as applicable.
By direction of the Commission.
Donald S. Clark,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2014-05266 Filed 3-10-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6750-01-P