This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains regulatory documents having general

applicability and legal effect, most of which

are keyed to and codified in the Code of

Federal Regulations, which is published under

50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.

The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by

the Superintendent of Documents.

Rules and Regulations Federal Register

1289 

Vol. 83, No. 8 

Thursday, January 11, 2018 

1OMB’s annual guidance memorandum was 

issued on December 15, 2017, providing the 2018 

adjustment multiplier and addressing how to apply 

it. 

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY 

10 CFR Parts 207, 218, 429, 431, 490, 

501, 601, 820, 824, 851, 1013, 1017, and 

1050 

Inflation Adjustment of Civil Monetary 

Penalties 

AGENCY: Office of the General Counsel, 

U.S. Department of Energy. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: The Department of Energy 

(‘‘DOE’’) publishes this final rule to 

adjust DOE’s civil monetary penalties 

(‘‘CMPs’’) for inflation as mandated by 

the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation 

Adjustment Act of 1990, as further 

amended by the Federal Civil Penalties 

Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements 

Act of 2015 (collectively referred to 

herein as ‘‘the Act’’). This rule adjusts 

CMPs within the jurisdiction of DOE to 

the maximum amount required by the 

Act. 

DATES: This rule is effective January 11, 

2018. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Preeti Chaudhari, U.S. Department of 

Energy, Office of the General Counsel, 

GC–33, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, 

Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586–8078. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background 

II. Method of Calculation 

III. Summary of the Final Rule 

IV. Final Rulemaking 

V. Regulatory Review 

I. Background 

In order to improve the effectiveness 

of CMPs and to maintain their deterrent 

effect, the Federal Civil Penalties 

Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, 28 

U.S.C. 2461 note (‘‘the Inflation 

Adjustment Act’’), as further amended 

by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation 

Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 

2015 (Pub. L. 114–74) (‘‘the 2015 Act’’), 

requires Federal agencies to adjust each 

CMP provided by law within the 

jurisdiction of the agency. The 2015 Act 

requires agencies to adjust the level of 

CMPs with an initial ‘‘catch-up’’ 

adjustment through an interim final 

rulemaking and to make subsequent 

annual adjustments for inflation, 

notwithstanding 5 U.S.C. 553. DOE’s 

initial catch-up adjustment interim final 

rule was published June 28, 2016 (81 FR 

41790) and adopted as final without 

amendment on December 30, 2016 (81 

FR 96349). The 2015 Act also provides 

that any increase in a CMP shall apply 

only to CMPs, including those whose 

associated violation predated such 

increase, which are assessed after the 

date the increase takes effect. 

In accordance with the 2015 Act, the 

Office of Management and Budget 

(OMB) must issue annually guidance on 

adjustments to civil monetary penalties. 

This final rule to adjust civil monetary 

penalties for 2018 is issued in 

accordance with applicable law and 

OMB’s guidance memorandum on 

implementation of the 2018 annual 

adjustment.1

II. Method of Calculation 

The method of calculating CMP 

adjustments applied in this final rule is 

required by the 2015 Act. Under the 

2015 Act, annual inflation adjustments 

subsequent to the initial catch-up 

adjustment are to be based on the 

percent change between the October 

Consumer Price Index for all Urban 

Consumers (CPI–U) preceding the date 

of the adjustment, and the prior year’s 

October CPI–U. Pursuant to the 

aforementioned OMB guidance 

memorandum, the adjustment 

multiplier for 2018 is 1.02041. In order 

to complete the 2018 annual 

adjustment, each CMP is multiplied by 

the 2018 adjustment multiplier. Under 

the 2015 Act, any increase in CMP must 

be rounded to the nearest multiple of 

$1. 

III. Summary of the Final Rule 

The following list summarizes DOE 

authorities containing CMPs, and the 

penalties before and after adjustment. 

DOE authority containing 

civil monetary penalty Before adjustment After adjustment 

10 CFR 207.7 ....................................................................... $10,1641 .............................................................................. $10,371. 

10 CFR 218.42 ..................................................................... 22,015 .................................................................................. 22,464. 

10 CFR 429.120 ................................................................... 440 ....................................................................................... 449. 

10 CFR 431.382 ................................................................... 440 ....................................................................................... 449. 

10 CFR 490.604 ................................................................... 8,523 .................................................................................... 8,697. 

10 CFR 501.181 ................................................................... — 90,063 ............................................................................... — 91,901 

8/mcf ................................................................................ 8/mcf. 

— 36/bbl ................................................................................ 37/bbl. 

10 CFR 601.400 and App A ................................................. — minimum 19,246 ............................................................... — minimum 19,639. 

— maximum 192,459 ............................................................ — maximum 196,387. 

10 CFR 820.81 ..................................................................... 201,106 ................................................................................ 205,211. 

10 CFR 824.1 and App A ..................................................... 143,715 ................................................................................ 146,648. 

10 CFR 824.4 and App A ..................................................... 143,715 ................................................................................ 146,648. 

10 CFR 851.5 and App B ..................................................... 93,332 .................................................................................. 95,237. 

10 CFR 1013.3 ..................................................................... 10,957 .................................................................................. 11,181. 

10 CFR 1017.29 ................................................................... 258,811 ................................................................................ 264,093. 

10 CFR 1050.303 ................................................................. 19,621 .................................................................................. 20,021. 

50 U.S.C. 2731 2 ................................................................... 8,797 .................................................................................... 8,977. 


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2 Implemented by 10 CFR 820.81, 10 CFR 851.5, 

and appendix B to 10 CFR part 851. 

IV. Final Rulemaking 

The 2015 Act requires that annual 

adjustments for inflation subsequent to 

the initial ‘‘catch-up’’ adjustment be 

made notwithstanding 5 U.S.C. 553. 

V. Regulatory Review 

A. Executive Order 12866 

This rule has been determined not to 

be a significant regulatory action under 

Executive Order 12866, ‘‘Regulatory 

Planning and Review,’’ 58 FR 51735 

(October 4, 1993). Accordingly, this 

action was not subject to review under 

that Executive Order by the Office of 

Information and Regulatory Affairs of 

the Office of Management and Budget. 

B. National Environmental Policy Act 

DOE has determined that this final 

rule is covered under the Categorical 

Exclusion found in DOE’s National 

Environmental Policy Act regulations at 

paragraph A5 of appendix A to subpart 

D, 10 CFR part 1021, which applies to 

a rulemaking that amends an existing 

rule or regulation and that does not 

change the environmental effect of the 

rule or regulation being amended. 

Accordingly, neither an environmental 

assessment nor an environmental 

impact statement is required. 

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act 

The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 

U.S.C. 601 et seq.) requires preparation 

of an initial regulatory flexibility 

analysis for any rule that by law must 

be proposed for public comment. As 

discussed above, the 2015 Act requires 

that annual inflation adjustments 

subsequent to the initial catch-up 

adjustment be made notwithstanding 5 

U.S.C. 553. Because a notice of 

proposed rulemaking is not required for 

this action pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553, or 

any other law, no regulatory flexibility 

analysis has been prepared for this final 

rule. 

D. Paperwork Reduction Act 

This final rule imposes no new 

information collection requirements 

subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act. 

E. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 

1995 

The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act 

of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–4) generally 

requires Federal agencies to examine 

closely the impacts of regulatory actions 

on State, local, and tribal governments. 

Section 201 excepts agencies from 

assessing effects on State, local or tribal 

governments or the private sector of 

rules that incorporate requirements 

specifically set forth in law. Because 

this rule incorporates requirements 

specifically set forth in 28 U.S.C. 2461 

note, DOE is not required to assess its 

regulatory effects under section 201. 

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act 

sections 202 and 205 do not apply to 

this action because they apply only to 

rules for which a general notice of 

proposed rulemaking is published. 

Nevertheless, DOE has determined that 

this regulatory action does not impose a 

Federal mandate on State, local, or tribal 

governments or on the public sector. 

F. Treasury and General Government 

Appropriations Act, 1999 

Section 654 of the Treasury and 

General Government Appropriations 

Act, 1999 (Pub. L. 105–277) requires 

Federal agencies to issue a Family 

Policymaking Assessment for any 

proposed rule that may affect family 

well-being. This rule would not have 

any impact on the autonomy or integrity 

of the family as an institution. 

Accordingly, DOE has concluded that it 

is not necessary to prepare a Family 

Policymaking Assessment. 

G. Executive Order 13132 

Executive Order 13132, ‘‘Federalism,’’ 

64 FR 43255 (August 4, 1999) imposes 

certain requirements on agencies 

formulating and implementing policies 

or regulations that preempt State law or 

that have federalism implications. 

Agencies are required to examine the 

constitutional and statutory authority 

supporting any action that would limit 

the policymaking discretion of the 

States and carefully assess the necessity 

for such actions. DOE has examined this 

rule and has determined that it would 

not preempt State law and would not 

have a 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. No further action 

is required by Executive Order 13132. 

H. Executive Order 12988 

With respect to the review of existing 

regulations and the promulgation of 

new regulations, section 3(a) of 

Executive Order 12988, ‘‘Civil Justice 

Reform,’’ 61 FR 4729 (February 7, 1996), 

imposes on Executive agencies the 

general duty to adhere to the following 

requirements: (1) Eliminate drafting 

errors and ambiguity; (2) write 

regulations to minimize litigation; and 

(3) provide a clear legal standard for 

affected conduct rather than a general 

standard and promote simplification 

and burden reduction. With regard to 

the review required by section 3(a), 

section 3(b) of Executive Order 12988 

specifically requires that Executive 

agencies make every reasonable effort to 

ensure that the regulation: (1) Clearly 

specifies the preemptive effect, if any; 

(2) clearly specifies any effect on 

existing Federal law or regulation; (3) 

provides a clear legal standard for 

affected conduct while promoting 

simplification and burden reduction; (4) 

specifies the retroactive effect, if any; (5) 

adequately defines key terms; and (6) 

addresses other important issues 

affecting clarity and general 

draftsmanship under any guidelines 

issued by the Attorney General. Section 

3(c) of Executive Order 12988 requires 

Executive agencies to review regulations 

in light of applicable standards in 

section 3(a) and section 3(b) to 

determine whether they are met or it is 

unreasonable to meet one or more of 

them. DOE has completed the required 

review and determined that, to the 

extent permitted by law, this rule meets 

the relevant standards of Executive 

Order 12988. 

I. Treasury and General Government 

Appropriations Act, 2001 

The Treasury and General 

Government Appropriations Act, 2001 

(44 U.S.C. 3516 note) provides for 

agencies to review most disseminations 

of information to the public under 

guidelines established by each agency 

pursuant to general guidelines issued by 

OMB. OMB’s guidelines were published 

at 67 FR 8452 (February 22, 2002), and 

DOE’s guidelines were published at 67 

FR 62446 (October 7, 2002). DOE has 

reviewed this rule under the OMB and 

DOE guidelines and has concluded that 

it is consistent with applicable policies 

in those guidelines. 

J. Executive Order 13211 

Executive Order 13211, ‘‘Actions 

Concerning Regulations That 

Significantly Affect Energy Supply, 

Distribution, or Use,’’ 66 FR 28355 (May 

22, 2001) requires Federal agencies to 

prepare and submit to OMB, a 

Statement of Energy Effects for any 

proposed significant energy action. A 

‘‘significant energy action’’ is defined as 

any action by an agency that 

promulgated or is expected to lead to 

promulgation of a final rule, and that: 

(1) Is a significant regulatory action 

under Executive Order 12866, or any 

successor order; and (2) is likely to have 

a significant adverse effect on the 

supply, distribution, or use of energy, or 

(3) is designated by the Administrator of 

OIRA as a significant energy action. For 

any proposed significant energy action, 

the agency must give a detailed 

statement of any adverse effects on 


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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 8 / Thursday, January 11, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 1291 

energy supply, distribution, or use 

should the proposal be implemented, 

and of reasonable alternatives to the 

action and their expected benefits on 

energy supply, distribution, and use. 

This regulatory action would not have a 

significant adverse effect on the supply, 

distribution, or use of energy and is 

therefore not a significant energy action. 

Accordingly, DOE has not prepared a 

Statement of Energy Effects. 

K. Congressional Notification 

As required by 5 U.S.C. 801, DOE will 

submit to Congress a report regarding 

the issuance of this final rule prior to 

the effective date set forth at the outset 

of this rulemaking. The report will state 

that it has been determined that the rule 

is not a ‘‘major rule’’ as defined by 5 

U.S.C. 801(2). 

L. Approval of the Office of the 

Secretary 

The Secretary of Energy has approved 

publication of this final rule. 

List of Subjects 

10 CFR Part 207 

Administrative practice and 

procedure, Energy, Penalties. 

10 CFR Part 218 

Administrative practice and 

procedure, Penalties, Petroleum 

allocation. 

10 CFR Part 429 

Confidential business information, 

Energy conservation, Household 

appliances, Imports, Incorporation by 

reference, Reporting and recordkeeping 

requirements. 

10 CFR Part 431 

Administrative practices and 

procedure, Confidential business 

information, Energy conservation, 

Incorporation by reference, Reporting 

and recordkeeping requirements. 

10 CFR Part 490 

Administrative practice and 

procedure, Energy conservation, 

Penalties. 

10 CFR Part 501 

Administrative practice and 

procedure, Electric power plants, 

Energy conservation, Natural gas, 

Petroleum. 

10 CFR Part 601 

Government contracts, Grant 

programs, Loan programs, Penalties. 

10 CFR Part 820 

Administrative practice and 

procedure, Government contracts, 

Penalties, Radiation protection. 

10 CFR Part 824 

Government contracts, Nuclear 

materials, Penalties, Security measures. 

10 CFR Part 851 

Civil penalty, Hazardous substances, 

Occupational safety and health, Safety, 

Reporting and recordkeeping 

requirements. 

10 CFR Part 1013 

Administrative practice and 

procedure, Claims, Fraud, Penalties. 

10 CFR Part 1017 

Administrative practice and 

procedure, Government contracts, 

National Defense, Nuclear Energy, 

Penalties, Security measures. 

10 CFR Part 1050 

Decorations, medals, awards, Foreign 

relations, Government employees, 

Government property, Reporting and 

recordkeeping requirements. 

Issued in Washington, DC, on January 4, 

2018. 

John T. Lucas, 

Acting General Counsel. 

For the reasons set forth in the 

preamble, DOE amends chapters II, III, 

and X of title 10 of the Code of Federal 

Regulations as set forth below. 

PART 207—COLLECTION OF 

INFORMATION 

■ 1. The authority citation for part 207 

continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 15 U.S.C. 787 et seq.; 15 U.S.C. 

791 et seq.; E.O. 11790, 39 FR 23185; 28 

U.S.C. 2461 note. 

■ 2. Section 207.7 is amended by 

revising the first sentence of paragraph 

(c)(1) to read as follows: 

§ 207.7 Sanctions. 

* * * * * 

(c) * * * (1) Any person who violates 

any provision of this subpart or any 

order issued pursuant thereto shall be 

subject to a civil penalty of not more 

than $10,371 for each violation. * * * 

* * * * * 

PART 218—STANDBY MANDATORY 

INTERNATIONAL OIL ALLOCATION 

■ 3. The authority citation for part 218 

continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 15 U.S.C. 751 et seq.; 15 U.S.C. 

787 et seq.; 42 U.S.C. 6201 et seq.; 42 U.S.C. 

7101 et seq.; E.O. 11790, 39 FR 23185; E.O. 

12009, 42 FR 46267; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note. 

■ 4. Section 218.42 is amended by 

revising paragraph (b)(1) to read as 

follows: 

§ 218.42 Sanctions. 

* * * * * 

(b) * * * (1) Any person who violates 

any provision of this part 218 or any 

order issued pursuant thereto shall be 

subject to a civil penalty of not more 

than $22,464 for each violation. 

* * * * * 

PART 429—CERTIFICATION, 

COMPLIANCE, AND ENFORCEMENT 

FOR CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND 

COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL 

EQUIPMENT 

■ 5. The authority citation for part 429 

continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6291–6317; 28 U.S.C. 

2461 note. 

■ 6. Section 429.120 is amended by 

revising the first sentence to read as 

follows: 

§ 429.120 Maximum civil penalty. 

Any person who knowingly violates 

any provision of § 429.102(a) may be 

subject to assessment of a civil penalty 

of no more than $449 for each violation. 

* * * * * 

PART 431—ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

PROGRAM FOR CERTAIN 

COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL 

EQUIPMENT 

■ 7. The authority citation for part 431 

continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6291–6317; 28 U.S.C. 

2461 note. 

■ 8. Section 431.382 is amended by 

revising paragraph (b) to read as follows: 

§ 431.382 Prohibited acts. 

* * * * * 

(b) In accordance with sections 333 

and 345 of the Act, any person who 

knowingly violates any provision of 

paragraph (a) of this section may be 

subject to assessment of a civil penalty 

of no more than $449 for each violation. 

* * * * * 

PART 490—ALTERNATIVE FUEL 

TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM 

■ 9. The authority citation for part 490 

continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7191 et seq.; 42 U.S.C. 

13201, 13211, 13220, 13251 et seq; 28 U.S.C. 

2461 note. 

■ 10. Section 490.604 is amended by 

revising paragraph (a) to read as follows: 

§ 490.604 Penalties and Fines. 

(a) Civil penalties. Whoever violates 

§ 490.603 shall be subject to a civil 


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penalty of not more than $8,697 for each 

violation. 

* * * * * 

PART 501—ADMINISTRATIVE 

PROCEDURES AND SANCTIONS 

■ 11. The authority citation for part 501 

continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.; 42 U.S.C. 

8301 et seq.; 42 U.S.C. 8701 et seq.; E.O. 

12009, 42 FR 46267; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note. 

■ 12. Section 501.181 is amended by 

revising paragraph (c)(1) to read as 

follows: 

§ 501.181 Sanctions. 

* * * * * 

(c) * * * (1) Any person who violates 

any provisions of the Act (other than 

section 402) or any rule or order 

thereunder will be subject to the 

following civil penalty, which may not 

exceed $91,901 for each violation: Any 

person who operates a powerplant or 

major fuel burning installation under an 

exemption, during any 12-calendarmonth period, in excess of that 

authorized in such exemption will be 

assessed a civil penalty of up to $8 for 

each MCF of natural gas or up to $37 for 

each barrel of oil used in excess of that 

authorized in the exemption. 

* * * * * 

PART 601—NEW RESTRICTIONS ON 

LOBBYING 

■ 13. The authority citation for part 601 

continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 31 U.S.C. 1352; 42 U.S.C. 7254 

and 7256; 31 U.S.C. 6301–6308; 28 U.S.C. 

2461 note. 

■ 14. Section 601.400 is amended by 

revising paragraphs (a), (b) and (e) to 

read as follows: 

§ 601.400 Penalties. 

(a) Any person who makes an 

expenditure prohibited herein shall be 

subject to a civil penalty of not less than 

$19,639 and not more than $196,387 for 

each such expenditure. 

(b) Any person who fails to file or 

amend the disclosure form (see 

appendix B to this part) to be filed or 

amended if required herein, shall be 

subject to a civil penalty of not less than 

$19,639 and not more than $196,387 for 

each such failure. 

* * * * * 

(e) First offenders under paragraph (a) 

or (b) of this section shall be subject to 

a civil penalty of $19,639, absent 

aggravating circumstances. Second and 

subsequent offenses by persons shall be 

subject to an appropriate civil penalty 

between $19,639 and $196,387, as 

determined by the agency head or his or 

her designee. 

* * * * * 

Appendix A to Part 601 [Amended] 

■ 15. Appendix A to part 601 is 

amended by: 

■ a. Removing ‘‘$19,246’’ wherever it 

appears and adding in its place 

‘‘$19,639’’. 

■ b. Removing ‘‘$192,459’’ wherever it 

appears and adding in its place 

‘‘$196,387’’. 

■ c. Removing the second instance of 

the phrase ‘‘Any person who fails to file 

the required certification’’ and adding in 

its place the phrase ‘‘Any person who 

fails to file the required statement’’. 

PART 820—PROCEDURAL RULES 

FOR DOE NUCLEAR ACTIVITIES 

■ 16. The authority citation for part 820 

continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 2201; 2282(a); 7191; 

28 U.S.C. 2461 note; 50 U.S.C. 2410. 

■ 17. Section 820.81 is amended by 

revising the first sentence to read as 

follows: 

§ 820.81 Amount of penalty. 

Any person subject to a penalty under 

42 U.S.C. 2282a shall be subject to a 

civil penalty in an amount not to exceed 

$205,211 for each such violation. 

* * * * * 

PART 824—PROCEDURAL RULES 

FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF CIVIL 

PENALTIES FOR CLASSIFIED 

INFORMATION SECURITY 

VIOLATIONS 

■ 18. The authority citation for part 824 

continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 2201, 2282b, 7101 et 

seq., 50 U.S.C. 2401 et seq.; 28 U.S.C. 2461 

note. 

■ 19. Section 824.1 is amended by 

revising the second sentence to read as 

follows: 

§ 824.1 Purpose and scope. 

* * * Subsection a. provides that any 

person who has entered into a contract 

or agreement with the Department of 

Energy, or a subcontract or 

subagreement thereto, and who violates 

(or whose employee violates) any 

applicable rule, regulation or order 

under the Act relating to the security or 

safeguarding of Restricted Data or other 

classified information, shall be subject 

to a civil penalty not to exceed $146,648 

for each violation. * * * 

■ 20. Section 824.4 is amended by 

revising paragraph (c) to read as follows: 

§ 824.4 Civil penalties. 

* * * * * 

(c) The Director may propose 

imposition of a civil penalty for 

violation of a requirement of a 

regulation or rule under paragraph (a) of 

this section or a compliance order 

issued under paragraph (b) of this 

section, not to exceed $146,648 for each 

violation. 

* * * * * 

PART 851—WORKER SAFETY AND 

HEALTH PROGRAM 

■ 21. The authority citation for part 851 

continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 2201(i)(3), (p); 42 

U.S.C. 2282c; 42 U.S.C. 5801 et seq.; 42 

U.S.C. 7101 et seq.; 50 U.S.C. 2401 et seq.; 

28 U.S.C. 2461 note. 

■ 22. Section 851.5 is amended by 

revising the first sentence of paragraph 

(a) to read as follows: 

§ 851.5 Enforcement. 

(a) A contractor that is indemnified 

under section 170d. of the AEA (or any 

subcontractor or supplier thereto) and 

that violates (or whose employee 

violates) any requirement of this part 

shall be subject to a civil penalty of up 

to $95,237 for each such violation. 

* * * 

* * * * * 

■ 23. Appendix B to part 851 is 

amended by: 

■ a. Revising the last sentences of 

paragraphs (b)(1) and (2) in section VI; 

and 

■ b. Revising paragraph 1.(e)(1) in 

section IX. 

The revisions read as follows: 

Appendix B to Part 851—General 

Statement of Enforcement Policy 

* * * * * 

VI. Severity of Violations 

* * * * * 

(b) * * * 

(1) * * * A Severity Level I violation 

would be subject to a base civil penalty 

of up to 100% of the maximum base 

civil penalty of $95,237. 

(2) * * * A Severity Level II violation 

would be subject to a base civil penalty 

up to 50% of the maximum base civil 

penalty ($47,618). 

* * * * * 

IX. Enforcement Actions 

* * * * * 

1. Notice of Violation 

* * * * * 

(e) * * * 

(1) DOE may assess civil penalties of 

up to $95,237 per violation per day on 

contractors (and their subcontractors 


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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 8 / Thursday, January 11, 2018 / Rules and Regulations 1293 

1Note: While the 1990 Act, as amended by 1996 

and 2015 Acts, uses the term ‘‘civil monetary 

penalties’’ for these penalties or other sanctions, the 

Farm Credit Act and the FCA Regulations use the 

term ‘‘civil money penalties.’’ Both terms have the 

same meaning. Accordingly, this rule uses the term 

civil money penalty, and both terms may be used 

interchangeably. 

2See 28 U.S.C. 2461 note. 

3Public Law 92–181, as amended. 

4The inflation-adjusted CMP in effect on January 

15, 2017, for a violation of a final order is $2,224 

per day, as set forth in § 622.61(a)(1) of FCA 

regulations. 

and suppliers) that are indemnified by 

the Price-Anderson Act, 42 U.S.C. 

2210(d). See 10 CFR 851.5(a). 

* * * * * 

PART 1013—PROGRAM FRAUD CIVIL 

REMEDIES AND PROCEDURES 

■ 24. The authority citation for part 

1013 continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 31 U.S.C. 3801–3812; 28 U.S.C. 

2461 note. 

■ 25. Section 1013.3 is amended by 

revising paragraphs (a)(1)(iv) and 

(b)(1)(ii) to read as follows: 

§ 1013.3 Basis for civil penalties and 

assessments. 

(a) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(iv) Is for payment for the provision 

of property or services which the person 

has not provided as claimed, shall be 

subject, in addition to any other remedy 

that may be prescribed by law, to a civil 

penalty of not more than $11,181 for 

each such claim. 

* * * * * 

(b) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(ii) Contains or is accompanied by an 

express certification or affirmation of 

the truthfulness and accuracy of the 

contents of the statement, shall be 

subject, in addition to any other remedy 

that may be prescribed by law, to a civil 

penalty of not more than $11,181 for 

each such statement. 

* * * * * 

PART 1017—IDENTIFICATION AND 

PROTECTION OF UNCLASSIFIED 

CONTROLLED NUCLEAR 

INFORMATION 

■ 26. The authority citation for part 

1017 continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.; 50 U.S.C. 

2401 et seq.; 42 U.S.C. 2168; 28 U.S.C. 2461 

note. 

■ 27. Section 1017.29 is amended by 

revising paragraph (c) to read as follows: 

§ 1017.29 Civil penalty. 

* * * * * 

(c) Amount of penalty. The Director 

may propose imposition of a civil 

penalty for violation of a requirement of 

a regulation under paragraph (a) of this 

section or a compliance order issued 

under paragraph (b) of this section, not 

to exceed $264,093 for each violation. 

* * * * * 

PART 1050—FOREIGN GIFTS AND 

DECORATIONS 

■ 28. The authority citation for part 

1050 continues to read as follows: 

Authority: The Constitution of the United 

States, Article I, Section 9; 5 U.S.C. 7342; 22 

U.S.C. 2694; 42 U.S.C. 7254 and 7262; 28 

U.S.C. 2461 note. 

■ 29. Section 1050.303 is amended by 

revising the last sentence in paragraph 

(d) to read as follows: 

§ 1050.303 Enforcement. 

* * * * * 

(d) * * * The court in which such 

action is brought may assess a civil 

penalty against such employee in any 

amount not to exceed the retail value of 

the gift improperly solicited or received 

plus $20,021. 

[FR Doc. 2018–00206 Filed 1–10–18; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 6450–01–P 

FARM CREDIT ADMINISTRATION 

12 CFR Part 622 

RIN 3052–AD29 

Rules of Practice and Procedure; 

Adjusting Civil Money Penalties for 

Inflation 

AGENCY: Farm Credit Administration. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: This regulation implements 

inflation adjustments to civil money 

penalties (CMPs) that the Farm Credit 

Administration (FCA) may impose or 

enforce pursuant to the Farm Credit Act 

of 1971, as amended (Farm Credit Act), 

and pursuant to the Flood Disaster 

Protection Act of 1973, as amended by 

the National Flood Insurance Reform 

Act of 1994 (Reform Act), and further 

amended by the Biggert-Waters Flood 

Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (BiggertWaters Act). 

DATES: Effective date: This regulation is 

effective on January 15, 2018. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Michael T. Wilson, Policy Analyst, 

Office of Regulatory Policy, (703) 883– 

4124, TTY (703) 883–4056, wilsonm@

fca.gov, or Autumn R. Agans, AttorneyAdvisor, Office of General Counsel, 

(703) 883–4082, TTY (703) 883–4056, 

agansa@fca.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Objective 

The objective of this regulation is to 

adjust the maximum CMPs for inflation 

through a final rulemaking to retain the 

deterrent effect of such penalties. 

II. Background 

A. Introduction 

The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation 

Adjustment Act of 1990, as amended by 

the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 

1996 (1996 Act) and the Federal Civil 

Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act 

Improvements Act of 2015 (2015 Act) 

(collectively, 1990 Act, as amended), 

requires all Federal agencies with the 

authority to enforce CMPs to evaluate 

and adjust, if necessary, those CMPs 

each year to ensure that they continue 

to maintain their deterrent value and 

promote compliance with the law. 

Section 3(2) of the 1990 Act, as 

amended, defines a civil monetary 

penalty 1 as any penalty, fine, or other 

sanction that: (1) Either is for a specific 

monetary amount as provided by 

Federal law or has a maximum amount 

provided for by Federal law; (2) is 

assessed or enforced by an agency 

pursuant to Federal law; and (3) is 

assessed or enforced pursuant to an 

administrative proceeding or a civil 

action in the Federal courts.2

The FCA imposes and enforces CMPs 

through the Farm Credit Act 3 and the 

Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, as 

amended. FCA’s regulations governing 

CMPs are found in 12 CFR parts 622 and 

623. Part 622 establishes rules of 

practice and procedure applicable to 

formal and informal hearings held 

before the FCA, and to formal 

investigations conducted under the 

Farm Credit Act. Part 623 prescribes 

rules regarding persons who may 

practice before the FCA and the 

circumstances under which such 

persons may be suspended or debarred 

from practice before the FCA. 

B. CMPs Issued Under the Farm Credit 

Act 

The Farm Credit Act provides that 

any Farm Credit System (System) 

institution or any officer, director, 

employee, agent, or other person 

participating in the conduct of the 

affairs of a System institution who 

violates the terms of a cease-and-desist 

order that has become final pursuant to 

section 5.25 or 5.26 of the Farm Credit 

Act must pay up to a maximum daily 

amount of $1,000 4 during which such 

violation continues. This CMP 

maximum was set by the Farm Credit 

Amendments Act of 1985, which 

amended the Farm Credit Act. Orders 


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