[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 206 (Wednesday, October 23, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55070-55071]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-27178]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Surface Transportation Board
[STB Ex Parte No. 578]


Adjustment of Civil Monetary Penalties for Inflation

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Surface Transportation Board (the Board) finds that it is 
unnecessary at this time to amend its regulations to adjust the maximum 
civil monetary penalties for inflation under statutes within the 
jurisdiction of the Board.

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 23, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anthony Jacobik, Jr., (202) 927-5827. 
[TDD for the hearing impaired: (202) 927-5721.]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 4 of the Federal Civil Penalties 
Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 (28 U.S.C. 2461 note), as amended by 
the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 (the Act) (Pub. L. 104-134, 
110 Stat. 1321-358, 378), requires each Federal agency with statutory 
authority to assess a civil monetary penalty (CMP) to adjust each CMP 
by the inflation adjustment described in section 5 of the Act. Such 
adjustment is to be by regulation published in the Federal Register. 
The first inflation adjustment is required by October 23, 1996--180 
days after the enactment of the Act on April 23, 1996. Thereafter, 
agencies are to make inflation adjustments by regulation at least once 
every four years.
    The inflation adjustment is to be determined by increasing the 
maximum CMPs, or the range of minimum and maximum CMPs, as applicable, 
for each CMP by the percentage that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for 
the month of June of the calendar year preceding the adjustment exceeds 
the CPI for the month of June of the last calendar year in which the 
amount of such penalty was last set or adjusted pursuant to law.
    The ICC Termination Act of 1995, Public Law 104-88, 109 Stat. 803 
(ICCTA), enacted December 29, 1995, and effective January 1, 1996, 
abolished the Interstate Commerce Commission and transferred certain 
regulatory functions to the Board. Because the CMPs under Board 
jurisdiction were not

[[Page 55071]]

even in effect until they were first established in the ICCTA, it is 
unnecessary to make any adjustments for inflation at this time.

    Decided: October 18, 1996.

    By the Board, Chairman Morgan, Vice Chairman Simmons, and 
Commissioner Owen.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-27178 Filed 10-22-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P