Annual Adjustment of Civil Monetary Penalty To Reflect Inflation, 8395-8396 [2020-01167]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 31 / Friday, February 14, 2020 / Rules and Regulations National Indian Gaming Commission multiplier for 2020 is 1.01764, based on the Consumer Price Index for the month of October 2019, not seasonally adjusted. 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 $52,596 per violation, against a tribe, management contractor, or individual operating Indian gaming for each notice of violation . . .’’). The 2020 adjusted level of the civil monetary penalty is $53,524 ($52,596 x 1.01764). 25 CFR Part 575 III. Regulatory Matters * * * * * Mark A. Morgan, Acting Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Approved: February 11, 2020. Timothy E. Skud, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Department of the Treasury. [FR Doc. 2020–03118 Filed 2–12–20; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 9111–14–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Regulatory Planning and Review Annual Adjustment of Civil Monetary Penalty To Reflect Inflation National Indian Gaming Commission. 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: Effective February 14, 2020. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Armando J. Acosta, Senior Attorney, Office of General Counsel, National Indian Gaming Commission, at (202) 632–7003; fax (202) 632–7066 (not tollfree numbers). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES 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 Public Law 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 annual OMB guidance. II. Calculation of Annual Adjustment In December of every year, OMB issues guidance to agencies to calculate the annual adjustment. According to OMB, the cost-of-living adjustment VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:46 Feb 13, 2020 Jkt 250001 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 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. PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 8395 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 E:\FR\FM\14FER1.SGM 14FER1 8396 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 31 / Friday, February 14, 2020 / Rules and Regulations study, experiment, or survey requiring peer review under the Information Quality Act (Pub. L. 106–554). 29 CFR Part 4022 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 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. § 575.4 [Amended] 2. Amend the introductory text of § 575.4 by removing ‘‘$52,596’’ and adding in its place ‘‘$53,524’’. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES ■ Dated: January 17, 2020. Kathryn Isom-Clause, Vice Chair. E. Sequoyah Simermeyer, Associate Commissioner. [FR Doc. 2020–01167 Filed 2–13–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7565–01–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:46 Feb 13, 2020 PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION Jkt 250001 Benefits Payable in Terminated SingleEmployer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. ACTION: Final rule. AGENCY: This final rule amends the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation’s regulation on Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans to prescribe certain interest assumptions under the regulation for plans with valuation dates in March 2020. These interest assumptions are used for paying certain benefits under terminating single-employer plans covered by the pension insurance system administered by PBGC. DATES: Effective March 1, 2020. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory Katz (katz.gregory@pbgc.gov), Attorney, Regulatory Affairs Division, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, 1200 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20005, 202–326–4400 ext. 3829. (TTY users may call the Federal relay service toll-free at 1–800–877–8339 and ask to be connected to 202–326–4400, ext. 3829.) SUMMARY: PBGC’s regulation on Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans (29 CFR part 4022) prescribes actuarial assumptions—including interest assumptions—for paying plan benefits under terminated single-employer plans covered by title IV of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). The interest assumptions in the regulation are also published on PBGC’s website (https://www.pbgc.gov). PBGC uses the interest assumptions in appendix B to part 4022 (‘‘Lump Sum Interest Rates for PBGC Payments’’) to determine whether a benefit is payable as a lump sum and to determine the amount to pay. Because some privatesector pension plans use these interest rates to determine lump sum amounts payable to plan participants (if the resulting lump sum is larger than the amount required under section 417(e)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and section 205(g)(3) of ERISA), these rates are also provided in appendix C to part 4022 (‘‘Lump Sum Interest Rates for Private-Sector Payments’’). This final rule updates appendices B and C of the benefit payments regulation SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 to provide the rates for March 2020 measurement dates. The March 2020 lump sum interest assumptions will be 0.00 percent for the period during which a benefit is (or is assumed to be) in pay status and 4.00 percent during any years preceding the benefit’s placement in pay status. In comparison with the interest assumptions in effect for February 2020, these assumptions represent a decrease of 0.25 percent in the immediate rate and are otherwise unchanged. PBGC updates appendices B and C each month. PBGC has determined that notice and public comment on this amendment are impracticable and contrary to the public interest. This finding is based on the need to issue new interest assumptions promptly so that they are available for plans that rely on our publication of them each month to calculate lump sum benefit amounts. Because of the need to provide immediate guidance for the payment of benefits under plans with valuation dates during March 2020, PBGC finds that good cause exists for making the assumptions set forth in this amendment effective less than 30 days after publication. PBGC has determined that this action is not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’ under the criteria set forth in Executive Order 12866. Because no general notice of proposed rulemaking is required for this amendment, the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 does not apply. See 5 U.S.C. 601(2). List of Subjects in 29 CFR Part 4022 Employee benefit plans, Pension insurance, Pensions, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. In consideration of the foregoing, 29 CFR part 4022 is amended as follows: PART 4022—BENEFITS PAYABLE IN TERMINATED SINGLE-EMPLOYER PLANS 1. The authority citation for part 4022 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 29 U.S.C. 1302, 1322, 1322b, 1341(c)(3)(D), and 1344. 2. In appendix B to part 4022, rate set 317 is added at the end of the table to read as follows: ■ Appendix B to Part 4022—Lump Sum Interest Rates for PBGC Payments * E:\FR\FM\14FER1.SGM * * 14FER1 * *

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 31 (Friday, February 14, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8395-8396]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-01167]


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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.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

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: Effective February 14, 2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 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 Public Law 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 annual OMB 
guidance.

II. Calculation of Annual Adjustment

    In December of every year, OMB issues guidance to agencies to 
calculate the annual adjustment. According to OMB, the cost-of-living 
adjustment multiplier for 2020 is 1.01764, based on the Consumer Price 
Index for the month of October 2019, not seasonally adjusted.
    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 $52,596 
per violation, against a tribe, management contractor, or individual 
operating Indian gaming for each notice of violation . . .''). The 2020 
adjusted level of the civil monetary penalty is $53,524 ($52,596 x 
1.01764).

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 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

[[Page 8396]]

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 ``$52,596'' 
and adding in its place ``$53,524''.

    Dated: January 17, 2020.
Kathryn Isom-Clause,
Vice Chair.
E. Sequoyah Simermeyer,
Associate Commissioner.
[FR Doc. 2020-01167 Filed 2-13-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7565-01-P
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