Inflation Adjustment of the Ordinary Maximum and Aggravated Maximum Civil Monetary Penalties for a Violation of the Hazardous Material Transportation Laws and Regulations

FRA is adjusting the ordinary maximum penalty and the aggravated maximum penalty that it will apply when assessing a civil monetary penalty for a violation of the Federal hazardous material transportation laws or a regulation, special permit, or approval issued under those laws. The aggravated maximum penalty is available only for a violation that results in death, serious illness, or severe injury to any person or substantial destruction of property. In particular, FRA is increasing the ordinary maximum civil monetary penalty per violation from $50,000 to $55,000 and the aggravated maximum civil penalty from $100,000 to $110,000. The minimum civil monetary penalty for a violation related to training remains at $450. The minimum civil monetary penalty per violation for other hazardous material violations remains at $250. These adjustments are required by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 as amended by the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996.