Civil Monetary Penalty Inflation Adjustment, 1441-1444 [2024-00316]
Download as PDFAgencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 7 (Wednesday, January 10, 2024)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 1441-1444] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2024-00316] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION 12 CFR Part 747 RIN 3133-AF58 Civil Monetary Penalty Inflation Adjustment AGENCY: National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). ACTION: Final rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The NCUA Board (Board) is amending its regulations to adjust the maximum amount of each civil monetary penalty (CMP) within its jurisdiction to account for inflation. This action, including the amount of the adjustments, is required under the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, as amended by the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 and the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015. DATES: This final rule is effective January 10, 2024. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gira Bose, Senior Staff Attorney, at 1775 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314, or telephone: (703) 518-6562. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Legal Background II. Regulatory Procedures I. Legal Background A. Statutory Requirements Every Federal agency, including the NCUA, is required by law to adjust its maximum CMP amounts each year to account for inflation. Prior to this being an annual requirement, agencies were required to adjust their CMPs at least once every four years. The previous four- year requirement stemmed from the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996,\1\ which amended the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990.\2\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ Public Law 104-134, Sec. 31001(s), 110 Stat. 1321-373 (Apr. 26, 1996). The law is codified at 28 U.S.C. 2461 note. \2\ Public Law 101-410, 104 Stat. 890 (Oct. 5, 1990), codified at 28 U.S.C. 2461 note. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The current annual requirement stems from the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015,\3\ which contains the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (the 2015 amendments).\4\ This legislation provided for an initial ``catch-up'' adjustment of CMPs in 2016, followed by annual adjustments. The catch-up adjustment reset CMP maximum amounts by setting aside the inflation adjustments that agencies made in prior years and instead calculated inflation with reference to the year when each CMP was enacted or last modified by Congress. Agencies were required to publish their catch-up adjustments in an interim final rule by July 1, 2016, and make them effective by August 1, 2016.\5\ The NCUA complied with these requirements in a June 2016 interim final rule, followed by a November 2016 final rule to confirm the adjustments as final.\6\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \3\ Public Law 114-74, 129 Stat. 584 (Nov. 2, 2015). \4\ 129 Stat. 599. \5\ Public Law 114-74, Sec. 701(b)(1), 129 Stat. 584, 599 (Nov. 2, 2015). \6\ 81 FR 40152 (June 21, 2016); 81 FR 78028 (Nov. 7, 2016). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The 2015 amendments also specified how agencies must conduct annual inflation adjustments after the 2016 catch-up adjustment. Following the catch-up adjustment, agencies must make the required adjustments and publish them in the Federal Register by January 15 each year.\7\ For 2017, the NCUA issued an interim final rule on January 6, 2017,\8\ followed by a final rule issued on June 23, 2017.\9\ For each of the years 2018 through 2023, the NCUA issued a final rule to satisfy the agency's annual requirements.\10\ This final rule satisfies the agency's requirement for the 2024 annual adjustment. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \7\ Public Law 114-74, Sec. 701(b)(1), 129 Stat. 584, 599 (Nov. 2, 2015). \8\ 82 FR 7640 (Jan. 23, 2017). \9\ 82 FR 29710 (June 30, 2017). \10\ 83 FR 2029 (Jan. 16, 2018); 84 FR 2052 (Feb. 6, 2019); 85 FR 2009 (Jan. 14, 2020); 86 FR 933 (Jan. 7, 2021); 87 FR 377 (Jan. 5, 2022); 88 FR 1323 (Jan. 10, 2023). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The law provides that the adjustments shall be made notwithstanding the section of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) that requires prior notice and public comment for agency rulemaking.\11\ The 2015 amendments also specify that each CMP maximum must be increased by the percentage by which the consumer price index for urban consumers (CPI- U) \12\ for October of the year immediately preceding the year the adjustment is made exceeds the CPI-U for October of the prior year.\13\ Thus, for the adjustment to be made in 2024, an agency must compare the October 2022 and October 2023 CPI-U figures. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \11\ Public Law 114-74, Sec. 701(b)(1), 129 Stat. 584, 599 (Nov. 2, 2015). \12\ This index is published by the Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and is available at its website: https://www.bls.gov/cpi/. \13\ Public Law 114-74, Sec. 701(b)(2)(B), 129 Stat. 584, 600 (Nov. 2, 2015). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- An annual adjustment under the 2015 amendments is not required if a CMP has been amended in the preceding 12 months pursuant to other authority. Specifically, the statute provides that an agency is not required to make an annual adjustment to a CMP if in the preceding 12 months it has been increased by an amount greater than the annual adjustment required by the 2015 amendments.\14\ The NCUA did not make any adjustments in the preceding 12 months pursuant to other authority. Therefore, this rulemaking adjusts all of the NCUA's CMPs pursuant to the 2015 amendments. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \14\ Public Law 114-74, Sec. 701(b)(1), 129 Stat. 584, 600 (Nov. 2, 2015). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- B. Application to the 2024 Adjustments and Office of Management and Budget Guidance This section applies the statutory requirements and the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) guidance to the NCUA's CMPs and sets forth the Board's calculation of the 2024 adjustments. [[Page 1442]] The 2015 amendments directed OMB to issue guidance to agencies on implementing the inflation adjustments.\15\ OMB is required to issue its guidance each December and, with respect to the 2024 annual adjustment, did so on December 19, 2023.\16\ For 2024, Federal agencies must adjust the maximum amounts of their CMPs by the percentage by which the October 2023 CPI-U (307.671) exceeds the October 2022 CPI-U (298.012). The resulting increase can be expressed as an inflation multiplier (1.03241) to apply to each current CMP maximum amount to determine the adjusted maximum. The OMB guidance also addresses rulemaking procedures and agency reporting and oversight requirements for CMPs.\17\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \15\ Public Law 114-74, Sec. 701(b)(4), 129 Stat. 584, 601 (Nov. 2, 2015). \16\ See OMB Memorandum M-24-07, Implementation of Penalty Inflation Adjustments for 2024, Pursuant to the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (December 19, 2023). \17\ Id. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following table presents the adjustment calculations. The current maximums are found at 12 CFR 747.1001, as adjusted by the final rule that the Board approved in January 2023. This amount is multiplied by the inflation multiplier to calculate the new maximum in the far- right column. Only these adjusted maximum amounts, and not the calculations, will be codified at 12 CFR 747.1001 under this final rule. The adjusted amounts will be effective upon publication in the Federal Register and can be applied to violations that occurred on or after November 2, 2015, the date the 2015 amendments were enacted.\18\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \18\ Public Law 114-74, 129 Stat. 600 (Nov. 2, 2015). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- On November 28, 2023, the NCUA announced the reinstatement of the program under which the agency assesses CMPs for credit unions failing to submit NCUA Form 5300 Call Reports.\19\ As stated in the announcement, this program was suspended after the December 2019 cycle due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The December 2023 Call Report will be the first reporting cycle under the reinstated program and will be due by 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern time, January 30, 2024.\20\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \19\ NCUA Reinstates Civil Money Penalties for Late Call Report Filing, November 2023. Announcement available at https://ncua.gov/newsroom/press-release/2023/ncua-reinstates-civil-money-penalties-late-call-report-filing?utm_medium=email&utm_source=NCUAgovdelivery. \20\ Id. Table--Calculation of Maximum CMP Adjustments ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adjusted maximum ($) (current Description and Current maximum maximum X Citation tier \21\ ($) Multiplier multiplier, rounded to nearest dollar) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 U.S.C. 1782(a)(3).......... Inadvertent 4,745............ 1.03241 4,899 failure to submit a report or the inadvertent submission of a false or misleading report. 12 U.S.C. 1782(a)(3).......... Non-inadvertent 47,454........... 1.03241 48,992 failure to submit a report or the non- inadvertent submission of a false or misleading report. 12 U.S.C. 1782(a)(3).......... Failure to submit Lesser of 1.03241 Lesser of a report or the 2,372,677 or 1% 2,449,575 or 1% submission of a of total credit of total CU false or union (CU) assets misleading assets. report done knowingly or with reckless disregard. 12 U.S.C. 1782(d)(2)(A)....... Tier 1 CMP for 4,339............ 1.03241 4,480 inadvertent failure to submit certified statement of insured shares and charges due to the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF), or inadvertent submission of false or misleading statement. 12 U.S.C. 1782(d)(2)(B)....... Tier 2 CMP for 43,377........... 1.03241 44,783 non-inadvertent failure to submit certified statement or submission of false or misleading statement. 12 U.S.C. 1782(d)(2)(C)....... Tier 3 CMP for Lesser of 1.03241 Lesser of failure to 2,168,915 or 1% 2,239,210 or 1% submit a of total CU of total CU certified assets. assets statement or the submission of a false or misleading statement done knowingly or with reckless disregard. 12 U.S.C. 1785(a)(3).......... Non-compliance 148.............. 1.03241 153 with insurance logo requirements. 12 U.S.C. 1785(e)(3).......... Non-compliance 345.............. 1.03241 356 with NCUA security requirements. 12 U.S.C. 1786(k)(2)(A)....... Tier 1 CMP for 11,864........... 1.03241 12,249 violations of law, regulation, and other orders or agreements. 12 U.S.C. 1786(k)(2)(B)....... Tier 2 CMP for 59,316........... 1.03241 61,238 violations of law, regulation, and other orders or agreements and for recklessly engaging in unsafe or unsound practices or breaches of fiduciary duty. 12 U.S.C. 1786(k)(2)(C)....... Tier 3 CMP for 2,372,677........ 1.03241 2,449,575 knowingly committing the violations under Tier 1 or 2 (natural person). 12 U.S.C. 1786(k)(2)(C)....... Tier 3 (same) Lesser of 1.03241 Lesser of (CU). 2,372,677 or 1% 2,449,575 or 1% of total CU of total CU assets. assets 12 U.S.C. 1786(w)(5)(A)(ii)... Non-compliance 390,271.......... 1.03241 402,920 with senior examiner post- employment restrictions. 15 U.S.C. 1639e(k)............ Non-compliance 13,627........... 1.03241 14,069 with appraisal independence standards (first violation). 15 U.S.C. 1639e(k)............ Subsequent 27,252........... 1.03241 28,135 violations of the same. 42 U.S.C. 4012a(f)(5)......... Non-compliance 2,577............ 1.03241 2,661 with flood insurance requirements. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \21\ The table uses condensed descriptions of CMP tiers. Refer to the U.S. Code citations for complete descriptions. [[Page 1443]] II. Regulatory Procedures A. Final Rule Under the APA In the 2015 amendments, Congress provided that agencies shall make the required inflation adjustments in 2017 and subsequent years notwithstanding 5 U.S.C. 553,\22\ which generally requires agencies to follow notice-and-comment procedures in rulemaking and to make rules effective no sooner than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. The 2015 amendments provide a clear exception to these requirements.\23\ In addition, the Board finds that notice-and-comment procedures would be impracticable and unnecessary under the APA because of the largely ministerial and technical nature of the final rule, which affords agencies limited discretion in promulgating the rule, and the statutory deadline for making the adjustments.\24\ In these circumstances, the Board finds good cause to issue a final rule without issuing a notice of proposed rulemaking or soliciting public comments. The Board also finds good cause to make the final rule effective upon publication because of the statutory deadline. Accordingly, this final rule is issued without prior notice and comment and will become effective immediately upon publication. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \22\ Public Law 114-74, Sec. 701(b)(1), 129 Stat. 584, 599 (Nov. 2, 2015). \23\ See 5 U.S.C. 559; Asiana Airlines v. Fed. Aviation Admin., 134 F.3d 393, 396-99 (D.C. Cir. 1998). \24\ 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B); see Mid-Tex. Elec. Co-op., Inc. v. Fed. Energy Regulatory Comm'n, 822 F.2d 1123 (D.C. Cir. 1987). For the same reasons, this final rule does not include the usual 60-day comment period under NCUA Interpretive Ruling and Policy Statement (IRPS) 87-2, as amended by IRPS 03-2 and 15-1 (Sept. 24, 2015). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- B. Regulatory Flexibility Act The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) generally requires that when an agency issues a proposed rule or a final rule pursuant to the APA \25\ or another law, the agency must prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis that meets the requirements of the RFA and publish such analysis in the Federal Register.\26\ Specifically, the RFA normally requires agencies to describe the impact of a rulemaking on small entities by providing a regulatory impact analysis. For purposes of the RFA, the Board considers federally insured credit unions (FICUs) with assets less than $100 million to be small entities.\27\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \25\ 5 U.S.C. 553(b). \26\ 5 U.S.C. 603, 604. \27\ NCUA IRPS 15-1. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- As discussed previously, consistent with the APA, the Board has determined for good cause that general notice and opportunity for public comment is unnecessary, and therefore the Board is not issuing a notice of proposed rulemaking.\28\ Rules that are exempt from notice and comment procedures are also exempt from the RFA requirements, including conducting a regulatory flexibility analysis, when among other things the agency for good cause finds that notice and public procedure are impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \28\ 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Accordingly, the Board has concluded that the RFA's requirements relating to initial and final regulatory flexibility analysis do not apply. Nevertheless, the Board notes that this final rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small credit unions because it affects only the maximum amounts of CMPs that may be assessed in individual cases, which are not numerous and generally do not involve assessments at the maximum level. In addition, several of the CMPs are limited to a percentage of a credit union's assets. Finally, in assessing CMPs, the Board generally must consider a party's financial resources.\29\ Because this final rule will affect few, if any, small credit unions, the Board certifies that the final rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \29\ 12 U.S.C. 1786(k)(2)(G)(i). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- C. Paperwork Reduction Act The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) applies to rulemakings in which an agency creates a new paperwork burden on regulated entities or modifies an existing burden.\30\ For purposes of the PRA, a paperwork burden may take the form of either a reporting or a recordkeeping requirement, both referred to as information collections. This final rule adjusts the maximum amounts of certain CMPs that the Board may assess against individuals, entities, or credit unions but does not require any reporting or recordkeeping. Therefore, this final rule will not create new paperwork burdens or modify any existing paperwork burdens. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \30\ 44 U.S.C. 3507(d); 5 CFR part 1320. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- D. Executive Order 13132 Executive Order 13132 encourages independent regulatory agencies to consider the impact of their actions on state and local interests. In adherence to fundamental federalism principles, the NCUA, an independent regulatory agency as defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(5), voluntarily complies with the Executive order. This final rule adjusts the maximum amounts of certain CMPs that the Board may assess against individuals, entities, and federally insured credit unions, including state-chartered credit unions. However, the final rule does not create any new authority or alter the underlying statutory authorities that enable the Board to assess CMPs. Accordingly, this final rule will not have a substantial direct effect on the states, on the connection between the national government and the states, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. The Board has determined that this final rule does not constitute a policy that has federalism implications for purposes of the Executive order. E. Assessment of Federal Regulations and Policies on Families The Board has determined that this final rule will not affect family well-being within the meaning of section 654 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 1999.\31\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \31\ Public Law 105-277, 112 Stat. 2681 (Oct. 21, 1998). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- F. Congressional Review Act For purposes of the Congressional Review Act,\32\ the OMB determines whether a final rule constitutes a ``major rule.'' If the OMB deems a rule to be a ``major rule,'' the Congressional Review Act generally provides that the rule may not take effect until at least 60 days following its publication. As required by the Congressional Review Act, the Board submitted the final rule and other appropriate reports to the OMB which determined that this rule is not a ``major rule.'' The Board will also be submitting this rule to Congress and the Government Accountability Office for review. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \32\ 5 U.S.C. 801-808. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Congressional Review Act defines a ``major rule'' as any rule that the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of the OMB finds has resulted in or is likely to result in (A) an annual effect on the economy of $100,000,000 or more; (B) a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, individual industries, Federal, State, or local government agencies or geographic regions, or (C) significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or on the ability of United States-based enterprises to compete with foreign- [[Page 1444]] based enterprises in domestic and export markets.\33\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \33\ 5 U.S.C. 804(2). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- For the reasons previously stated, the Board is adopting the final rule without the delayed effective date generally prescribed under the Congressional Review Act. The delayed effective date required by the Congressional Review Act does not apply to any rule for which an agency for good cause finds (and incorporates the finding and a brief statement of reasons therefor in the rule issued) that notice and public procedures thereon are impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.\34\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \34\ 5 U.S.C. 808. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- List of Subjects in 12 CFR Part 747 Civil monetary penalties, Credit unions. By the National Credit Union Administration Board Melane Conyers-Ausbrooks, Secretary of the Board. For the reasons stated in the preamble, the Board amends 12 CFR part 747 as follows: PART 747--ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS, ADJUDICATIVE HEARINGS, RULES OF PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE, AND INVESTIGATIONS 0 1. The authority for part 747 continues to read as follows: Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1766, 1782, 1784, 1785, 1786, 1787, 1790a, 1790d; 15 U.S.C. 1639e; 42 U.S.C. 4012a; Pub. L. 101-410; Pub. L. 104-134; Pub. L. 109-351; Pub. L. 114-74. 0 2. Revise Sec. 747.1001 to read as follows: Sec. 747.1001 Adjustment of civil monetary penalties by the rate of inflation. (a) The NCUA is required by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-410, 104 Stat. 890, as amended (28 U.S.C. 2461 note)), to adjust the maximum amount of each civil monetary penalty (CMP) within its jurisdiction by the rate of inflation. The following chart displays those adjusted amounts, as calculated pursuant to the statute: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ U.S. Code citation CMP description New maximum amount ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (1) 12 U.S.C. 1782(a)(3)........ Inadvertent $4,899. failure to submit a report or the inadvertent submission of a false or misleading report. (2) 12 U.S.C. 1782(a)(3)........ Non-inadvertent $48,992. failure to submit a report or the non-inadvertent submission of a false or misleading report. (3) 12 U.S.C. 1782(a)(3)........ Failure to submit $2,449,575 or 1% a report or the of the total submission of a assets of the false or credit union, misleading report whichever is done knowingly or less. with reckless disregard. (4) 12 U.S.C. 1782(d)(2)(A)..... Tier 1 CMP for $4,480. inadvertent failure to submit certified statement of insured shares and charges due to the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF), or inadvertent submission of false or misleading statement. (5) 12 U.S.C. 1782(d)(2)(B)..... Tier 2 CMP for non- $44,783. inadvertent failure to submit certified statement or submission of false or misleading statement. (6) 12 U.S.C. 1782(d)(2)(C)..... Tier 3 CMP for $2,239,210 or 1% failure to submit of the total a certified assets of the statement or the credit union, submission of a whichever is false or less. misleading statement done knowingly or with reckless disregard. (7) 12 U.S.C. 1785(a)(3)........ Non-compliance $153. with insurance logo requirements. (8) 12 U.S.C. 1785(e)(3)........ Non-compliance $356. with NCUA security requirements. (9) 12 U.S.C. 1786(k)(2)(A)..... Tier 1 CMP for $12,249. violations of law, regulation, and other orders or agreements. (10) 12 U.S.C. 1786(k)(2)(B).... Tier 2 CMP for $61,238. violations of law, regulation, and other orders or agreements and for recklessly engaging in unsafe or unsound practices or breaches of fiduciary duty. (11) 12 U.S.C. 1786(k)(2)(C).... Tier 3 CMP for $2,449,575. knowingly committing the violations under Tier 1 or 2 (natural person). (12) 12 U.S.C. 1786(k)(2)(C).... Tier 3 CMP for $2,449,575 or 1% knowingly of the total committing the assets of the violations under credit union, Tier 1 or 2 whichever is (insured credit less. union). (13) 12 U.S.C. 1786(w)(5)(A)(ii) Non-compliance $402,920. with senior examiner post- employment restrictions. (14) 15 U.S.C. 1639e(k)......... Non-compliance First violation: with appraisal $14,069. independence Subsequent requirements. violations: $28,135. (15) 42 U.S.C. 4012a(f)(5)...... Non-compliance $2,661. with flood insurance requirements. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (b) The adjusted amounts displayed in paragraph (a) of this section apply to civil monetary penalties that are assessed after the date the increase takes effect, including those whose associated violation or violations pre-dated the increase and occurred on or after November 2, 2015. [FR Doc. 2024-00316 Filed 1-9-24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7535-01-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google
Privacy Policy and
Terms of Service apply.
