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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 12 (Tuesday, January 21, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6806-6809]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-01419]

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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

34 CFR Parts 36 and 668

RIN 1801-AA25

Adjustment of Civil Monetary Penalties for Inflation

AGENCY: Department of Education.

ACTION: Final regulations.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) issues these final 
regulations to adjust the Department's civil monetary penalties (CMPs) 
for inflation. This adjustment is required by the Federal Civil 
Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (2015 Act), 
which amended the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 
1990 (Inflation Adjustment Act). These final regulations provide the 
2025 annual inflation adjustments being made to the penalty amounts in 
the Department's final regulations published in the Federal Register on 
January 25, 2024 (2024 final rule).

DATES: These regulations are effective January 21, 2025. The adjusted 
CMPs established by these regulations are applicable only to civil 
penalties assessed after January 21, 2025, whose associated violations 
occurred after November 2, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rhondalyn Primes, U.S. Department of 
Education, Office of the General Counsel, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 
6C150, Washington, DC 20202-2241. Telephone: (202) 453-6444. Email: 
[email protected].
    If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability and 
wish to access telecommunications relay services, please dial 7-1-1.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    A CMP is defined in the Inflation Adjustment Act (28 U.S.C. 2461 
note) as any penalty, fine, or other sanction that is (1) for a 
specific monetary amount as provided by Federal law, or has a maximum 
amount provided for by Federal law; (2) assessed or enforced by an 
agency pursuant to Federal law; and (3) assessed or enforced pursuant 
to an administrative proceeding or a civil action in the Federal 
courts.
    The Inflation Adjustment Act provides for the regular evaluation of 
CMPs to ensure that they continue to maintain their deterrent value. 
The Inflation Adjustment Act required that each agency issue 
regulations to adjust its CMPs beginning in 1996 and at least every 
four years thereafter. The Department published its most recent cost 
adjustment to its CMPs in the Federal Register on January 25, 2024 (89 
FR 4829) (2024 final rule), and those adjustments became effective on 
the date of publication.
    The 2015 Act (section 701 of Pub. L. 114-74) amended the Inflation 
Adjustment Act to improve the effectiveness of CMPs and to maintain 
their deterrent effect.
    The 2015 Act requires agencies to: (1) adjust the level of CMPs 
with an initial ``catch-up'' adjustment through an interim final rule 
(IFR); and (2) make subsequent annual adjustments for inflation. Catch-
up adjustments are based on the percentage change between the Consumer 
Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the month of October in 
the year the penalty was last adjusted by a statute other than the 
Inflation Adjustment Act, and the October 2015 CPI-U. Annual inflation 
adjustments are based on the percentage change between the October CPI-
U preceding the date of each statutory adjustment, and the prior year's 
October CPI-U.\1\ The Department published an IFR with the initial 
``catch-up'' penalty adjustment amounts on August 1, 2016 (81 FR 
50321).
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    \1\ If a statute that created a penalty is amended to change the 
penalty amount, the Department does not adjust the penalty in the 
year following the adjustment.
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    In these final regulations, based on the CPI-U for the month of 
October 2024, not seasonally adjusted, we are annually adjusting each 
CMP amount by a multiplier for 2025 of 1.02598, as directed by the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Memorandum No. M-25-02 issued on 
December 17, 2024.

The Department's Civil Monetary Penalties

    The following analysis calculates new CMPs for penalty statutes in 
the order in which they appear in 34 CFR 36.2. The penalty amounts are 
being adjusted up based on the multiplier of 1.02598 provided in OMB 
Memorandum No. M-25-02.
    Statute: 20 U.S.C. 1015(c)(5).
    Current Regulations: The CMP for 20 U.S.C. 1015(c)(5) (section 
131(c)(5) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA)), as 
last set out in statute in 1998 (Pub. L. 105-244, title I, section 
101(a), October 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1602), is a fine of up to $25,000 
for failure by an institution of higher education (IHE) to provide 
information on the cost of higher education to the Commissioner of 
Education Statistics. In the 2024 final rule, we increased this amount 
to $46,901.
    New Regulations: The new penalty for this section is $48,119.
    Reason: Using the multiplier of 1.02598 from OMB Memorandum No. M-
25-02, the new penalty is calculated as follows: $46,901 x 1.02598 = 
$48,119.49, which makes the adjusted penalty $48,119, when rounded to 
the nearest dollar.

[[Page 6807]]

    Statute: 20 U.S.C. 1022d(a)(3).
    Current Regulations: The CMP for 20 U.S.C. 1022d(a)(3) (section 
205(a)(3) of the HEA), as last set out in statute in 2008 (Pub. L. 110-
315, title II, section 201(2), August 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 3147), is a 
fine of up to $27,500 for failure by an IHE to provide information to 
the State and the public regarding its teacher-preparation programs. In 
the 2024 final rule, we increased this amount to $39,065.
    New Regulations: The new penalty for this section is $40,080.
    Reason: Using the multiplier of 1.02598 from OMB Memorandum No. M-
25-02, the new penalty is calculated as follows: $39,065 x 1.02598 = 
$40,079.90, which makes the adjusted penalty $40,080, when rounded to 
the nearest dollar.
    Statute: 20 U.S.C. 1082(g).
    Current Regulations: The CMP for 20 U.S.C. 1082(g) (section 432(g) 
of the HEA), as last set out in statute in 1986 (Pub. L. 99-498, title 
IV, section 402(a), October 17, 1986, 100 Stat. 1401), is a fine of up 
to $25,000 for violations by lenders and guaranty agencies of Title IV 
of the HEA, which authorizes the Federal Family Education Loan Program. 
In the 2024 final rule, we increased this amount to $69,733.
    New Regulations: The new penalty for this section is $71,545.
    Reason: Using the multiplier of 1.02598 from OMB Memorandum No. M-
25-02, the new penalty is calculated as follows: $69,733 x 1.02598 = 
$71,544.66, which makes the adjusted penalty $71,545, when rounded to 
the nearest dollar.
    Statute: 20 U.S.C. 1094(c)(3)(B).
    Current Regulations: The CMP for 20 U.S.C. 1094(c)(3)(B) (section 
487(c)(3)(B) of the HEA), as set out in statute in 1986 (Pub. L. 99-
498, title IV, section 407(a), October 17, 1986, 100 Stat. 1488), is a 
fine of up to $25,000 for an IHE's violation of title IV of the HEA or 
its implementing regulations. Title IV authorizes various programs of 
student financial assistance. In the 2024 final rule, we increased this 
amount to $69,733.
    New Regulations: The new penalty for this section is $71,545.
    Reason: Using the multiplier of 1.02598 from OMB Memorandum No. M-
25-02, the new penalty is calculated as follows: $69,733 x 1.02598 = 
$71,544.66, which makes the adjusted penalty $71,545, when rounded to 
the nearest dollar.
    Statute: 20 U.S.C. 1228c(c)(2)(E).
    Current Regulations: The CMP for 20 U.S.C. 1228c(c)(2)(E) (section 
429 of the General Education Provisions Act), as set out in statute in 
1994 (Pub. L. 103-382, title II, section 238, October 20, 1994, 108 
Stat. 3918), is a fine of up to $1,000 for an educational 
organization's failure to disclose certain information to minor 
students and their parents. In the 2024 final rule, we increased this 
amount to $2,058.
    New Regulations: The new penalty for this section is $2,111.
    Reason: Using the multiplier of 1.02598 from OMB Memorandum No. M-
25-02, the new penalty is calculated as follows: $2,058 x 1.02598 = 
$2,111.46, which makes the adjusted penalty $2,111, when rounded to the 
nearest dollar.
    Statute: 31 U.S.C. 1352(c)(1) and (c)(2)(A).
    Current Regulations: The CMPs for 31 U.S.C. 1352(c)(1) and 
(c)(2)(A), as set out in statute in 1989 (Pub. L. 101-121, title III, 
section 319(a)(1), October 23, 1989, 103 Stat. 750), are a fine of 
$10,000 to $100,000 for recipients of Government grants, contracts, 
etc. that improperly lobby Congress or the executive branch with 
respect to the award of Government grants and contracts. In the 2024 
final rule, we increased these amounts to $24,496 to $244,958.
    New Regulations: The new penalties for these sections are $25,132 
to $251,322.
    Reason: Using the multiplier of 1.02598 from OMB Memorandum No. M-
25-02, the new minimum penalty is calculated as follows: $24,496 x 
1.02598 = $25,132.40, which makes the adjusted penalty $25,132, when 
rounded to the nearest dollar. The new maximum penalty is calculated as 
follows: $244,958 x 1.02598 = $251,322.00, which makes the adjusted 
penalty $251,322, when rounded to the nearest dollar.
    Statute: 31 U.S.C. 3802(a)(1) and (a)(2).
    Current Regulations: The CMPs for 31 U.S.C. 3802(a)(1) and (a)(2), 
as set out in statute in 1986 (Pub. L. 99-509, title VI, section 
6103(a), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1937), are a fine of up to $5,000 for 
false claims and statements made to the Government. In the 2024 final 
rule, we increased this amount to $13,946.
    New Regulations: The new penalty for this section is $14,308.
    Reason: Using the multiplier of 1.02598 from OMB Memorandum No. M-
25-02, the new penalty is calculated as follows: $13,946 x 1.02598 = 
$14,308.32, which makes the adjusted penalty $14,308 when rounded to 
the nearest dollar.

Executive Orders 12866, 13563 and 14094

Regulatory Impact Analysis

    Under Executive Order 12866, the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) must determine whether this regulatory action is ``significant'' 
and, therefore, subject to the requirements of the Executive order and 
subject to review by OMB. Section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, as 
amended by Executive Order 14094, defines a ``significant regulatory 
action'' as an action likely to result in a rule that may--
    (1) Have an annual effect on the economy of $200 million or more, 
(adjusted every 3 years by the Administrator of OMB's Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) for changes in gross domestic 
product); or adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector 
of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, 
public health or safety, or State, local, territorial, or Tribal 
governments or communities;
    (2) Create serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an 
action taken or planned by another agency;
    (3) Materially alter the budgetary impacts of entitlements, grants, 
user fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients 
thereof; or
    (4) Raise legal or policy issues for which centralized review would 
meaningfully further the President's priorities, or the principles set 
forth in this Executive order, as specifically authorized in a timely 
manner by the Administrator of OIRA in each case.
    We have determined that these final regulations: (1) exclusively 
implement the annual adjustment; (2) are consistent with OMB Memorandum 
No. M-25-02; and (3) have an annual impact of less than $200 million. 
Therefore, based on OMB Memorandum No. M-25-02, this is not a 
significant regulatory action subject to review by OMB under section 
3(f) of Executive Order 12866 (as amended by Executive Order 14094).
    We have also reviewed these regulations under Executive Order 
13563, which supplements and explicitly reaffirms the principles, 
structures, and definitions governing regulatory review established in 
Executive Order 12866 (as amended by Executive Order 14094). To the 
extent permitted by law, Executive Order 13563 requires that an 
agency--
    (1) Propose or adopt regulations only upon a reasoned determination 
that their benefits justify their costs (recognizing that some benefits 
and costs are difficult to quantify);

[[Page 6808]]

    (2) Tailor its regulations to impose the least burden on society, 
consistent with obtaining regulatory objectives and taking into 
account, among other things, and to the extent practicable, the costs 
of cumulative regulations;
    (3) In choosing among alternative regulatory approaches, select 
those approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential 
economic, environmental, public health and safety, and other 
advantages; distributive impacts; and equity);
    (4) To the extent feasible, specify performance objectives, rather 
than the behavior or manner of compliance a regulated entity must 
adopt; and
    (5) Identify and assess available alternatives to direct 
regulation, including economic incentives--such as user fees or 
marketable permits--to encourage the desired behavior, or providing 
information that enables the public to make choices.
    Executive Order 13563 also requires an agency ``to use the best 
available techniques to quantify anticipated present and future 
benefits and costs as accurately as possible.'' OIRA has emphasized 
that these techniques may include ``identifying changing future 
compliance costs that might result from technological innovation or 
anticipated behavioral changes.''
    We are issuing these final regulations as required by statute and 
in accordance with OMB Memorandum No. M-25-02. The Secretary has no 
discretion to consider alternative approaches as delineated in the 
Executive order. Based on this analysis and the reasons stated in the 
preamble, the Department believes that these final regulations are 
consistent with the principles in Executive Order 13563.

Waiver of Rulemaking and Delayed Effective Date

    Under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553), the 
Department generally offers interested parties the opportunity to 
comment on proposed regulations. However, section 4(b)(2) of the 2015 
Act (28 U.S.C. 2461 note) provides that the Secretary can adjust these 
2025 penalty amounts notwithstanding the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 553. 
Therefore, the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 553 for notice and comment and 
delaying the effective date of a final rule do not apply here.

Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification

    Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 601(2), the Regulatory Flexibility Act applies 
only to rules for which an agency publishes a general notice of 
proposed rulemaking. The Regulatory Flexibility Act does not apply to 
this rulemaking because section 4(b)(2) of the 2015 Act (28 U.S.C. 2461 
note) provides that the Secretary can adjust these 2025 penalty amounts 
without publishing a general notice of proposed rulemaking.

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

    These regulations do not contain any information collection 
requirements.

Intergovernmental Review

    This program is not subject to Executive Order 12372 and the 
regulations in 34 CFR part 79.

Assessment of Educational Impact

    Based on our own review, we have determined that these regulations 
do not require transmission of information that any other agency or 
authority of the United States gathers or makes available.
    Accessible Format: On request to the program contact person listed 
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, individuals with disabilities 
can obtain this document in an accessible format. The Department will 
provide the requestor with an accessible format that may include Rich 
Text Format (RTF) or text format (txt), a thumb drive, an MP3 file, 
Braille, large print, audiotape, compact disc, or other accessible 
format.
    Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this 
document is the document published in the Federal Register. You may 
access the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of 
Federal Regulations at www.govinfo.gov. At this site you can view this 
document, as well as all other Department documents published in the 
Federal Register, in text or Portable Document Format (PDF). To use PDF 
you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at the 
site.
    You may also access Department documents published in the Federal 
Register by using the article search feature at 
www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search 
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published 
by the Department.

List of Subjects

34 CFR Part 36

    Claims, Fraud, Penalties.

34 CFR Part 668

    Administrative practice and procedure, Aliens, Colleges and 
universities, Consumer protection, Grant programs-education, Loan 
programs-education, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Selective 
Service System, Student aid, Vocational education.

Miguel Cardona,
Secretary of Education.

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Secretary amends 
parts 36 and 668 of title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations as 
follows:

PART 36--ADJUSTMENT OF CIVIL MONETARY PENALTIES FOR INFLATION

0
1. The authority citation for part 36 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  20 U.S.C. 1221e-3 and 3474; 28 U.S.C. 2461 note, as 
amended by Sec.  701 of Pub. Law 114-74, unless otherwise noted.

0
2. Section 36.2 is amended by revising table 1 to read as follows:

Sec.  36.2  Penalty adjustment.

* * * * *

                      Table 1 to Sec.   36.2--Civil Monetary Penalty Inflation Adjustments
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                                                                        New maximum (and minimum, if applicable)
                Statute                           Description                        penalty amount
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20 U.S.C. 1015(c)(5) (section           Provides for a fine, as set by  $48,119.
 131(c)(5) of the Higher Education Act   Congress in 1998, of up to
 of 1965 (HEA)).                         $25,000 for failure by an
                                         institution of higher
                                         education (IHE) to provide
                                         information on the cost of
                                         higher education to the
                                         Commissioner of Education
                                         Statistics.
20 U.S.C. 1022d(a)(3) (section          Provides for a fine, as set by  $40,080.
 205(a)(3) of the HEA).                  Congress in 2008, of up to
                                         $27,500 for failure by an IHE
                                         to provide information to the
                                         State and the public
                                         regarding its teacher-
                                         preparation programs.

[[Page 6809]]

 
20 U.S.C. 1082(g) (section 432(g) of    Provides for a civil penalty,   $71,545.
 the HEA).                               as set by Congress in 1986,
                                         of up to $25,000 for
                                         violations by lenders and
                                         guaranty agencies of title IV
                                         of the HEA, which authorizes
                                         the Federal Family Education
                                         Loan Program.
20 U.S.C. 1094(c)(3)(B) (section        Provides for a civil penalty,   $71,545.
 487(c)(3)(B) of the HEA).               as set by Congress in 1986,
                                         of up to $25,000 for an IHE's
                                         violation of title IV of the
                                         HEA, which authorizes various
                                         programs of student financial
                                         assistance.
20 U.S.C. 1228c(c)(2)(E) (section 429   Provides for a civil penalty,   $2,111.
 of the General Education Provisions     as set by Congress in 1994,
 Act).                                   of up to $1,000 for an
                                         educational organization's
                                         failure to disclose certain
                                         information to minor students
                                         and their parents.
31 U.S.C. 1352(c)(1) and (c)(2)(A)....  Provides for a civil penalty,   $25,132 to $251,322.
                                         as set by Congress in 1989,
                                         of $10,000 to $100,000 for
                                         recipients of Government
                                         grants, contracts, etc. that
                                         improperly lobby Congress or
                                         the executive branch with
                                         respect to the award of
                                         Government grants and
                                         contracts.
31 U.S.C. 3802(a)(1) and (a)(2).......  Provides for a civil penalty,   $14,308.
                                         as set by Congress in 1986,
                                         of up to $5,000 for false
                                         claims and statements made to
                                         the Government.
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PART 668--STUDENT ASSISTANCE GENERAL PROVISIONS

0
3. The authority citation for part 668 continues to read in part as 
follows:

    Authority:  20 U.S.C. 1001-1003, 1070g, 1085, 1088, 1091, 1092, 
1094, 1099c, 1099c-1, 1221e-3, and 1231a, unless otherwise noted.
* * * * *

Sec.  668.84  [Amended]

0
4. Section 668.84 is amended by:
0
a. In paragraph (a)(1) introductory text, removing the number 
``$69,733'' and adding, in its place, the number ``$71,545''.
0
b. Removing the parenthetical authority citation at the end of the 
section.

[FR Doc. 2025-01419 Filed 1-16-25; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
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