Annual Adjustment of Civil Monetary Penalty To Reflect Inflation, 12068-12069 [2017-03858]

Download as PDF 12068 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 38 / Tuesday, February 28, 2017 / Rules and Regulations Direct final rule; confirmation of effective date. ACTION: In accordance with a determination by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) that the direct final rule (‘‘Use of Ozone Depleting Substances’’) published on October 26, 2016, is excluded from the memorandum of January 20, 2017, from the Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff, entitled ‘‘Regulatory Freeze Pending Review,’’ this action confirms the effective date of February 23, 2017, for the direct final rule. DATES: The effective date of the direct final rule that published on October 26, 2016, at 81 FR 74298, is confirmed to be February 23, 2017. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel Orr, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, 10903 New Hampshire Ave., Bldg. 51, Rm. 6246, Silver Spring, MD 20993, 240–402–0979, daniel.orr@fda.hhs.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 26, 2016, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) issued a direct final rule amending the regulation on uses of ozone-depleting substances (ODSs), including chlorofluorocarbons, to remove the designations for sterile aerosol talc administered intrapleurally by thoracoscopy for human use and metered-dose atropine sulfate aerosol human drugs administered by oral inhalation as ‘‘essential uses’’ under the Clean Air Act. FDA took this action because alternative products that do not use ODSs are now available, and because these products are no longer being marketed in versions that contain ODSs. FDA did not receive any significant adverse comments regarding the direct final rule, which was published with an effective date of February 23, 2017. A memorandum of January 20, 2017 (82 FR 8346), from the Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff, entitled ‘‘Regulatory Freeze Pending Review,’’ directed the heads of Executive Departments and Agencies to temporarily postpone for 60 days from the date of the memorandum the effective dates of all regulations that had been published in the Federal Register but had not yet taken effect, for the purpose of ‘‘reviewing questions of fact, law, and policy they raise.’’ The memorandum also stated that the Director of OMB may exclude certain regulations if they ‘‘affect critical health, safety, financial, or national security matters, or for some other reason.’’ pmangrum on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:13 Feb 27, 2017 Jkt 241001 Pursuant to the memorandum, the Director of OMB has excluded the direct final rule that published on October 26, 2016, at 81 FR 74298, from the directive to delay the effective date of certain regulations. The Department, therefore, confirms that the effective date of the direct final rule is February 23, 2017. Dated: February 22, 2017. Thomas E. Price, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2017–03866 Filed 2–27–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4164–01–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Indian Gaming Commission 25 CFR Part 575 Annual Adjustment of Civil Monetary Penalty To Reflect Inflation National Indian Gaming Commission, Department of the Interior. ACTION: Final rule. AGENCY: In compliance with the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (the Act) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidance, the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC or Commission) is amending its civil monetary penalty rule to reflect an annual adjustment for inflation in order to improve the penalty’s effectiveness and maintain its deterrent effect. The Act provides that the new penalty level must apply to penalties assessed after the effective date of the increase, including when the penalties whose associated violation predate the increase. DATES: This final rule is effective February 28, 2017. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Armando J. Acosta, Senior Attorney, Office of General Counsel, National Indian Gaming Commission, at (202) 632–7003; fax (202) 632–7066 (not toll-free numbers). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: I. Background On November 2, 2015, the President signed into law the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (Sec. 701 of Pub. L. 114–74). Beginning in 2017, the Act requires agencies to make annual inflationary adjustments to their civil monetary penalties by January 15th of each year, in accordance with yearly OMB guidance. PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 II. Calculation of Annual Adjustment On December 16, 2016, OMB issued guidance to agencies to calculate the annual adjustment. See Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies, from Shaun Donovan, Director, Office of Management and Budget, Subject: Implementation of the 2017 annual adjustment pursuant to the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015. According to OMB, the cost-ofliving adjustment multiplier for 2017, based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI–U) for the month of October 2016, not seasonally adjusted, is 1.01636. Pursuant to this guidance, the Commission has calculated the annual adjustment level of the civil monetary penalty contained in 25 CFR 575.4 (‘‘The Chairman may assess a civil fine, not to exceed $49,467 per violation, against a tribe, management contractor, or individual operating Indian gaming for each notice of violation . . .’’). The 2017 adjusted level of the civil monetary penalty is $50,276 ($49,467 × 1.01636). III. Regulatory Matters Regulatory Planning and Review This final rule is not a significant rule under Executive Order 12866. (1) This rule will not have an effect of $100 million or more on the economy or will not adversely affect, in a material way, the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or state, local, or tribal governments or communities. (2) This rule will not create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an action taken or planned by another agency. (3) This rule does not involve entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or the rights or obligations of recipients. (4) This regulatory change does not raise novel legal or policy issues. Regulatory Flexibility Act The Commission certifies that this rule will not have a significant economic effect on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) because the rule makes annual adjustments for inflation. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act This final rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804(2), the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. It will not result in the expenditure by state, local, or tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the E:\FR\FM\28FER1.SGM 28FER1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 38 / Tuesday, February 28, 2017 / Rules and Regulations private sector of $100 million or more in any one year. The rule will not result in a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, individual industries, federal, state, or local government agencies, or geographic regions. Nor will this rule have significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of the U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act This final rule does not impose an unfunded mandate of more than $100 million per year on state, local, or tribal governments or the private sector. The rule also does not have a significant or unique effect on state, local, or tribal governments or the private sector. Therefore, a statement containing the information required by the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) is not required. Takings Under the criteria in Executive Order 12630, this final rule does not affect individual property rights protected by the Fifth Amendment nor does it involve a compensable ‘‘taking.’’ Thus, a takings implication assessment is not required. Federalism Under the criteria in Executive Order 13132, this final rule has no substantial direct effect on the states, on the relationship between the national government and the states, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. Civil Justice Reform pmangrum on DSK3GDR082PROD with RULES This final rule complies with the requirements of Executive Order 12988. Specifically, this rule has been reviewed to eliminate errors and ambiguity and VerDate Sep<11>2014 14:13 Feb 27, 2017 Jkt 241001 written to minimize litigation. It is written in clear language and contains clear legal standards. Consultation With Indian Tribes In accordance with the President’s memorandum of April 29, 1994, Government-to-Government Relations with Native American Tribal Governments, Executive Order 13175 (59 FR 22951, November 6, 2000), the Commission has determined that consultations with Indian gaming tribes is not practicable, as Congress has mandated that annual civil penalty adjustments in the Act be implemented no later than January 15th of each year. Paperwork Reduction Act This final rule does not affect any information collections under the Paperwork Reduction Act. National Environmental Policy Act This final rule does not constitute a major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment. 12069 (b) use the active voice to address readers directly; (c) use clear language rather than jargon; (d) be divided into short sections and sentences; and (e) use lists and tables wherever possible. Required Determinations Under the Administrative Procedure Act In accordance with the Act, agencies are to annually adjust civil monetary penalties without providing an opportunity for notice and comment, and without a delay in its effective date. Therefore, the Commission is not required to complete a notice and comment process prior to promulgation. List of Subjects in 25 CFR Part 575 Administrative practice and procedure, Gaming, Indian lands, Penalties. For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Commission amends 25 CFR part 575 as follows: PART 575—CIVIL FINES Information Quality Act 1. The authority citation for part 575 continues to read as follows: In developing this final rule, the Commission did not conduct or use a study, experiment, or survey requiring peer review under the Information Quality Act (Pub. L. 106–554). ■ Effects on the Energy Supply § 575.4 This final rule is not a significant energy action under the definition in Executive Order 13211. A Statement of Energy Effects is not required. ■ Clarity of This Regulation The Commission is required by Executive Orders 12866 and 12988 and by the Presidential Memorandum of June 1, 1998, to write all rules in plain language. This means that each rule that the Commission publishes must: (a) Be logically organized; PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 Authority: 25 U.S.C. 2705(a), 2706, 2713, 2715; and Sec. 701, Pub. L. 114–74, 129 Stat. 599. [Amended] 2. Amend the introductory text of § 575.4 by removing ‘‘$49,467’’ and adding in its place ‘‘$50,276’’. Dated: February 22, 2017. Jonodev O. Chaudhuri, Chairman. Kathryn Isom-Clause, Vice Chairwoman. E. Sequoyah Simermeyer, Associate Commissioner. [FR Doc. 2017–03858 Filed 2–27–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7565–01–P E:\FR\FM\28FER1.SGM 28FER1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 38 (Tuesday, February 28, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12068-12069]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-03858]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Indian Gaming Commission

25 CFR Part 575


Annual Adjustment of Civil Monetary Penalty To Reflect Inflation

AGENCY: National Indian Gaming Commission, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation 
Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (the Act) and Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) guidance, the National Indian Gaming 
Commission (NIGC or Commission) is amending its civil monetary penalty 
rule to reflect an annual adjustment for inflation in order to improve 
the penalty's effectiveness and maintain its deterrent effect. The Act 
provides that the new penalty level must apply to penalties assessed 
after the effective date of the increase, including when the penalties 
whose associated violation predate the increase.

DATES: This final rule is effective February 28, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Armando J. Acosta, Senior 
Attorney, Office of General Counsel, National Indian Gaming Commission, 
at (202) 632-7003; fax (202) 632-7066 (not toll-free numbers).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    On November 2, 2015, the President signed into law the Federal 
Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (Sec. 
701 of Pub. L. 114-74). Beginning in 2017, the Act requires agencies to 
make annual inflationary adjustments to their civil monetary penalties 
by January 15th of each year, in accordance with yearly OMB guidance.

II. Calculation of Annual Adjustment

    On December 16, 2016, OMB issued guidance to agencies to calculate 
the annual adjustment. See Memorandum for the Heads of Executive 
Departments and Agencies, from Shaun Donovan, Director, Office of 
Management and Budget, Subject: Implementation of the 2017 annual 
adjustment pursuant to the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment 
Act Improvements Act of 2015. According to OMB, the cost-of-living 
adjustment multiplier for 2017, based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI-
U) for the month of October 2016, not seasonally adjusted, is 1.01636.
    Pursuant to this guidance, the Commission has calculated the annual 
adjustment level of the civil monetary penalty contained in 25 CFR 
575.4 (``The Chairman may assess a civil fine, not to exceed $49,467 
per violation, against a tribe, management contractor, or individual 
operating Indian gaming for each notice of violation . . .''). The 2017 
adjusted level of the civil monetary penalty is $50,276 ($49,467 x 
1.01636).

III. Regulatory Matters

Regulatory Planning and Review

    This final rule is not a significant rule under Executive Order 
12866.
    (1) This rule will not have an effect of $100 million or more on 
the economy or will not adversely affect, in a material way, the 
economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public 
health or safety, or state, local, or tribal governments or 
communities.
    (2) This rule will not create a serious inconsistency or otherwise 
interfere with an action taken or planned by another agency.
    (3) This rule does not involve entitlements, grants, user fees, or 
loan programs or the rights or obligations of recipients.
    (4) This regulatory change does not raise novel legal or policy 
issues.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Commission certifies that this rule will not have a significant 
economic effect on a substantial number of small entities under the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) because the rule 
makes annual adjustments for inflation.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

    This final rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804(2), the 
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. It will not result 
in the expenditure by state, local, or tribal governments, in the 
aggregate, or by the

[[Page 12069]]

private sector of $100 million or more in any one year. The rule will 
not result in a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, 
individual industries, federal, state, or local government agencies, or 
geographic regions. Nor will this rule have significant adverse effects 
on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or 
the ability of the U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based 
enterprises.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    This final rule does not impose an unfunded mandate of more than 
$100 million per year on state, local, or tribal governments or the 
private sector. The rule also does not have a significant or unique 
effect on state, local, or tribal governments or the private sector. 
Therefore, a statement containing the information required by the 
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) is not required.

Takings

    Under the criteria in Executive Order 12630, this final rule does 
not affect individual property rights protected by the Fifth Amendment 
nor does it involve a compensable ``taking.'' Thus, a takings 
implication assessment is not required.

Federalism

    Under the criteria in Executive Order 13132, this final rule has no 
substantial direct effect on the states, on the relationship between 
the national government and the states, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities among the various levels of government.

Civil Justice Reform

    This final rule complies with the requirements of Executive Order 
12988. Specifically, this rule has been reviewed to eliminate errors 
and ambiguity and written to minimize litigation. It is written in 
clear language and contains clear legal standards.

Consultation With Indian Tribes

    In accordance with the President's memorandum of April 29, 1994, 
Government-to-Government Relations with Native American Tribal 
Governments, Executive Order 13175 (59 FR 22951, November 6, 2000), the 
Commission has determined that consultations with Indian gaming tribes 
is not practicable, as Congress has mandated that annual civil penalty 
adjustments in the Act be implemented no later than January 15th of 
each year.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This final rule does not affect any information collections under 
the Paperwork Reduction Act.

National Environmental Policy Act

    This final rule does not constitute a major federal action 
significantly affecting the quality of the human environment.

Information Quality Act

    In developing this final rule, the Commission did not conduct or 
use a study, experiment, or survey requiring peer review under the 
Information Quality Act (Pub. L. 106-554).

Effects on the Energy Supply

    This final rule is not a significant energy action under the 
definition in Executive Order 13211. A Statement of Energy Effects is 
not required.

Clarity of This Regulation

    The Commission is required by Executive Orders 12866 and 12988 and 
by the Presidential Memorandum of June 1, 1998, to write all rules in 
plain language. This means that each rule that the Commission publishes 
must:
    (a) Be logically organized;
    (b) use the active voice to address readers directly;
    (c) use clear language rather than jargon;
    (d) be divided into short sections and sentences; and
    (e) use lists and tables wherever possible.

Required Determinations Under the Administrative Procedure Act

    In accordance with the Act, agencies are to annually adjust civil 
monetary penalties without providing an opportunity for notice and 
comment, and without a delay in its effective date. Therefore, the 
Commission is not required to complete a notice and comment process 
prior to promulgation.

List of Subjects in 25 CFR Part 575

    Administrative practice and procedure, Gaming, Indian lands, 
Penalties.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Commission amends 25 
CFR part 575 as follows:

PART 575--CIVIL FINES

0
1. The authority citation for part 575 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  25 U.S.C. 2705(a), 2706, 2713, 2715; and Sec. 701, 
Pub. L. 114-74, 129 Stat. 599.


Sec.  575.4   [Amended]

0
2. Amend the introductory text of Sec.  575.4 by removing ``$49,467'' 
and adding in its place ``$50,276''.

    Dated: February 22, 2017.
Jonodev O. Chaudhuri,
Chairman.
Kathryn Isom-Clause,
Vice Chairwoman.
E. Sequoyah Simermeyer,
Associate Commissioner.
[FR Doc. 2017-03858 Filed 2-27-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7565-01-P
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