(a)
(A) the person has actual knowledge of the facts giving rise to the violation; or
(B) a reasonable person acting in the circumstances and exercising reasonable care would have that knowledge.
(2) If the Secretary finds that a violation under paragraph (1) results in death, serious illness, or severe injury to any person or substantial destruction of property, the Secretary may increase the amount of the civil penalty for such violation to not more than $175,000.
(3) If the violation is related to training, a person described in paragraph (1) shall be liable for a civil penalty of at least $450.
(4) A separate violation occurs for each day the violation, committed by a person that transports or causes to be transported hazardous material, continues.
(b)
(c)
(1) the nature, circumstances, extent, and gravity of the violation;
(2) with respect to the violator, the degree of culpability, any history of prior violations, the ability to pay, and any effect on the ability to continue to do business; and
(3) other matters that justice requires.
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
(1) The Secretary may impose a penalty on a person who obstructs or prevents the Secretary from carrying out inspections or investigations under subsection (c) or (i) of section 5121.
(2) For the purposes of this subsection, the term "obstructs" means actions that were known, or reasonably should have been known, to prevent, hinder, or impede an investigation.
(i)
(1)
(2)
(3)
(A) set forth procedures to require a person who is delinquent in paying civil penalties to cease any activity regulated under this chapter until payment has been made or an acceptable payment plan has been arranged; and
(B) ensures 1 that the person described in subparagraph (A)—
(i) is notified in writing; and
(ii) is given an opportunity to respond before the person is required to cease the activity.
Open Table|
Revised Section |
Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
|---|---|---|
| 5123(a)(1) | 49 App.:1809(a)(1) (1st sentence less 3d–16th words, 2d sentence words before 4th comma, 3d sentence). | Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, §110(a)(1), 88 Stat. 2160; Nov. 16, 1990, Pub. L. 101–615, §12(a)(1), 104 Stat. 3259. |
| 49 App.:1809(a)(3). | Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, 88 Stat. 2156, §110(a)(3); added Nov. 16, 1990, Pub. L. 101–615, §12(a)(2), 104 Stat. 3259. | |
| 5123(a)(2) | 49 App.:1809(a)(1) (2d sentence words after 4th comma). | |
| 5123(b) | 49 App.:1809(a)(1) (1st sentence 3d–16th words, 4th sentence). | |
| 5123(c) | 49 App.:1809(a)(1) (last sentence). | |
| 5123(d), (e) | 49 App.:1809(a)(2) (1st sentence). | Jan. 3, 1975, Pub. L. 93–633, §110(a)(2), 88 Stat. 2160. |
| 5123(f) | 49 App.:1809(a)(2) (2d sentence). | |
| 5123(g) | 49 App.:1809(a)(2) (last sentence). |
In subsection (a)(1), before clause (1), the words "A person that knowingly violates this chapter or a regulation prescribed or order issued under this chapter is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of at least $250 but not more than $25,000 for each violation" are substituted for 49 App.:1809(a)(1) (1st sentence less 3d–16th words, 2d sentence words before 4th comma, 3d sentence) to eliminate unnecessary words.
In subsection (b), the word "impose" is substituted for "assessed" for consistency.
In subsection (c)(2), the words "the violator" are substituted for "the person found to have committed such violation" to eliminate unnecessary words.
In subsection (f), the words "imposed or compromised" are substituted for "of such penalty, when finally determined (or agreed upon in compromise)" to eliminate unnecessary words and for consistency. The words "liable for the penalty" are substituted for "charged" for clarity.
References in Text
The date of enactment of this subsection, referred to in subsec. (i)(3), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 112–141, which was approved July 6, 2012.
Amendments
2012—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 112–141, §33010(1)(A), in introductory provisions, struck out "at least $250 but" after "civil penalty of" and substituted "$75,000" for "$50,000".
Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 112–141, §33010(1)(B), substituted "$175,000" for "$100,000".
Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 112–141, §33010(1)(C), amended par. (3) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (3) read as follows: "If the violation is related to training, paragraph (1) shall be applied by substituting '$450' for '$250'."
Subsecs. (h), (i). Pub. L. 112–141, §33010(2), added subsecs. (h) and (i).
2005—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 109–59, §7120(a)(1), in introductory provisions substituted "regulation, order, special permit, or approval issued" for "regulation prescribed or order issued" and "$50,000" for "$25,000".
Subsec. (a)(2) to (4). Pub. L. 109–59, §7120(a)(2), (3), added pars. (2) and (3) and redesignated former par. (2) as (4).
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 109–59, §7126, substituted "Secretary may" for "Secretary of Transportation may".
Pub. L. 109–59, §7120(b), substituted "regulation prescribed or order, special permit, or approval issued" for "regulation prescribed".
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 109–59, §7120(c), substituted "section and any accrued interest on the civil penalty as calculated in accordance with section 1005 of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2705). In the civil action, the amount and appropriateness of the civil penalty shall not be subject to review." for "section."
Effective Date of 2012 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 112–141 effective Oct. 1, 2012, see section 3(a) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under section 101 of Title 23, Highways.
Effective Date of 2005 Amendment
Pub. L. 109–59, title VII, §7120(d), Aug. 10, 2005, 119 Stat. 1906, provided that:
"(1)
"(2)
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