[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 90 (Wednesday, May 10, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30029-30033]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-09912]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
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.
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 90 / Wednesday, May 10, 2023 / Rules
and Regulations
[[Page 30029]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Office of the Secretary
7 CFR Part 3
[Docket No. USDA-2023-0001]
RIN 0503-AA77
Civil Monetary Penalty Inflation Adjustments for 2023
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, USDA.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This final rule amends the U.S. Department of Agriculture's
civil monetary penalty regulations by making inflation adjustments as
mandated by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act
Improvements Act of 2015.
DATES: Effective May 10, 2023.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Stephen O'Neill, Office of Budget
and Program Analysis, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC
20250-1400, (202) 720-0038.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
On November 2, 2015, the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation
Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (the 2015 Act), which further
amended the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990,
was signed into law to improve the effectiveness of civil monetary
penalties and to maintain their deterrent effect. The 2015 Act requires
agencies to adjust for inflation annually.
This rule amends 7 CFR part 3 to update the amount of civil
monetary penalties that may be levied by U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) agencies to reflect inflationary adjustments for 2023 in
accordance with the 2015 Act. As required by the 2015 Act, the annual
adjustment was made for inflation based on the Consumer Price Index for
the month of October 2022 and rounded to the nearest dollar after an
initial adjustment. The civil monetary penalties are listed according
to the applicable administering agency.
II. Notice and Comment Not Required
This rule is required by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation
Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015, with no issue of policy
discretion. Accordingly, pursuant to the administrative procedure
provisions in 5 U.S.C. 553, we find upon good cause that prior notice
and other public procedure with respect to this action are not
necessary. We also find good cause for making this action effective
less than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.
III. Procedural Requirements
Executive Order 12866
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has determined that this
regulatory action does not meet the criteria for significant regulatory
action pursuant to Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and
Review.
This rule contains inflation adjustments in compliance with the
Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of
2015. The great majority of individuals, organizations, and entities
participating in the programs affected by this regulation do not engage
in prohibited activities and practices that would result in civil
monetary penalties being incurred. Accordingly, we believe that any
aggregate economic impact of this revised regulation will be minimal,
affecting only the limited number of program participants that may
engage in prohibited behavior in violation of the statutes.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act relating to an
initial and final regulatory flexibility analysis (5 U.S.C. 603, 604)
are not applicable to this final rule because USDA was not required to
publish notice of proposed rulemaking under 5 U.S.C. 553 or any other
law. Accordingly, a regulatory flexibility analysis is not required.
Paperwork Reduction Act
This final rule imposes no new reporting or recordkeeping
requirements necessitating clearance by OMB.
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 3
Administrative practice and procedure, Claims, Government
employees, Income taxes, Loan programs--agriculture, Penalties,
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Wages.
Accordingly, we are amending 7 CFR part 3, subpart I, as follows:
PART 3--DEBT MANAGEMENT
0
1. The authority citation for part 3, subpart I, continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 28 U.S.C. 2461 note.
0
2. Section 3.91 is amended by revising paragraphs (a)(2) and (b) to
read as follows:
Sec. 3.91 Adjusted civil monetary penalties.
(a) * * *
(2) Timing. Any increase in the dollar amount of a civil monetary
penalty listed in paragraph (b) of this section applies only to
violations occurring after May 10, 2023.
* * * * *
(b) Penalties--(1) Agricultural Marketing Service. (i) Civil
penalty for improper record keeping codified at 7 U.S.C. 136i-1(d),
has: A maximum of $1,116 in the case of the first offense, and a
minimum of $2,168 in the case of subsequent offenses, except that the
penalty will be less than $2,168 if the Secretary determines that the
person made a good faith effort to comply.
(ii) Civil penalty for a violation of the unfair conduct rule under
the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act, in lieu of license
revocation or suspension, codified at 7 U.S.C. 499b(5), has a maximum
of $6,075.
(iii) Civil penalty for violation of the licensing requirements
under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act, codified at 7 U.S.C.
499c(a), has a maximum of $1,939 for each such offense and not more
than $484 for each day it continues, or a maximum of $484 for each
offense if the Secretary determines the violation was not willful.
(iv) Civil penalty in lieu of license suspension under the
Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act, codified at 7 U.S.C. 499h(e),
has a maximum penalty of $3,878 for each violative transaction or each
day the violation continues.
(v) Civil penalty for a violation of the Export Apple Act, codified
at 7 U.S.C. 586, has a minimum of $176 and a maximum of $17,718.
[[Page 30030]]
(vi) Civil penalty for a violation of the Export Grape and Plum
Act, codified at 7 U.S.C. 596, has a minimum of $338 and a maximum of
$33,902.
(vii) Civil penalty for a violation of an order issued by the
Secretary under the Agricultural Adjustment Act, reenacted with
amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937,
codified at 7 U.S.C. 608c(14)(B), has a maximum of $3,391. Each day the
violation continues is a separate violation.
(viii) Civil penalty for failure to file certain reports under the
Agricultural Adjustment Act, reenacted by the Agricultural Marketing
Agreement Act of 1937, codified at 7 U.S.C. 610(c), has a maximum of
$338.
(ix) Civil penalty for a violation of a seed program under the
Federal Seed Act, codified at 7 U.S.C. 1596(b), has a minimum of $115
and a maximum of $2,312.
(x) Civil penalty for failure to collect any assessment or fee for
a violation of the Cotton Research and Promotion Act, codified at 7
U.S.C. 2112(b), has a maximum of $3,391.
(xi) Civil penalty for failure to pay, collect, or remit any
assessment or fee for a violation of a program under the Potato
Research and Promotion Act, codified at 7 U.S.C. 2621(b)(1), has a
minimum of $1,520 and a maximum of $14,017.
(xii) Civil penalty for failure to obey a cease-and-desist order
under the Potato Research and Promotion Act, codified at 7 U.S.C.
2621(b)(3), has a maximum of $1,520. Each day the violation continues
is a separate violation.
(xiii) Civil penalty for failure to pay, collect, or remit any
assessment or fee or for a violation of a program under the Egg
Research and Consumer Information Act, codified at 7 U.S.C. 2714(b)(1),
has a minimum of $1,757 and a maximum of $17,571.
(xiv) Civil penalty for failure to obey a cease-and-desist order
under the Egg Research and Consumer Information Act, codified at 7
U.S.C. 2714(b)(3), has a maximum of $1,757. Each day the violation
continues is a separate violation.
(xv) Civil penalty for failure to remit any assessment or fee or
for a violation of a program under the Beef Research and Information
Act, codified at 7 U.S.C. 2908(a)(2), has a maximum of $13,707.
(xvi) Civil penalty for failure to remit any assessment or for a
violation of a program regarding wheat and wheat foods research,
codified at 7 U.S.C. 3410(b), has a maximum of $3,391.
(xvii) Civil penalty for failure to pay, collect, or remit any
assessment or fee or for a violation of a program under the Floral
Research and Consumer Information Act, codified at 7 U.S.C. 4314(b)(1),
has a minimum of $1,596 and a maximum of $15,954.
(xviii) Civil penalty for failure to obey a cease-and-desist order
under the Floral Research and Consumer Information Act, codified at 7
U.S.C. 4314(b)(3), has a maximum of $1,596. Each day the violation
continues is a separate violation.
(xix) Civil penalty for violation of an order under the Dairy
Promotion Program, codified at 7 U.S.C. 4510(b), has a maximum of
$2,949.
(xx) Civil penalty for pay, collect, or remit any assessment or fee
or for a violation of the Honey Research, Promotion, and Consumer
Information Act, codified at 7 U.S.C. 4610(b)(1), has a minimum of $886
and a maximum of $9,086.
(xxi) Civil penalty for failure to obey a cease-and-desist order
under the Honey Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Act,
codified at 7 U.S.C. 4610(b)(3), has a maximum of $908. Each day the
violation continues is a separate violation.
(xxii) Civil penalty for a violation of a program under the Pork
Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act of 1985, codified at
7 U.S.C. 4815(b)(1)(A)(i), has a maximum of $2,742.
(xxiii) Civil penalty for failure to obey a cease-and-desist order
under the Pork Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act of
1985, codified at 7 U.S.C. 4815(b)(3)(A), has a maximum of $1,372. Each
day the violation continues is a separate violation.
(xxiv) Civil penalty for failure to pay, collect, or remit any
assessment or fee or for a violation of a program under the Watermelon
Research and Promotion Act, codified at 7 U.S.C. 4910(b)(1), has a
minimum of $1,372 and a maximum of $13,707.
(xxv) Civil penalty for failure to obey a cease-and-desist order
under the Watermelon Research and Promotion Act, codified at 7 U.S.C.
4910(b)(3), has a maximum of $1,372. Each day the violation continues
is a separate violation.
(xxvi) Civil penalty for failure to pay, collect, or remit any
assessment or fee or for a violation of a program under the Pecan
Promotion and Research Act of 1990, codified at 7 U.S.C. 6009(c)(1),
has a minimum of $2,232 and a maximum of $22,313.
(xxvii) Civil penalty for failure to obey a cease-and-desist order
under the Pecan Promotion and Research Act of 1990, codified at 7
U.S.C. 6009(e), has a maximum of $2,230.
(xxviii) Civil penalty for failure to pay, collect, or remit any
assessment or fee or for a violation of a program under the Mushroom
Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act of 1990, codified at
7 U.S.C. 6107(c)(1), has a minimum of $1,085 and a maximum of $10,846.
(xxix) Civil penalty for failure to obey a cease-and-desist order
under the Mushroom Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act of
1990, codified at 7 U.S.C. 6107(e), has a maximum of $1,085. Each day
the violation continues is a separate violation.
(xxx) Civil penalty for failure to pay, collect, or remit any
assessment or fee or for a violation of the Lime Research, Promotion,
and Consumer Information Act of 1990, codified at 7 U.S.C. 6207(c)(1),
has a minimum of $1,085 and a maximum of $10,846.
(xxxi) Civil penalty for failure to obey a cease-and-desist order
under the Lime Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Act of
1990, codified at 7 U.S.C. 6207(e), has a maximum of $1,085. Each day
the violation continues is a separate violation.
(xxxii) Civil penalty for failure to pay, collect, or remit any
assessment or fee or for a violation of a program under the Soybean
Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act, codified a 7 U.S.C.
6307(c)(1)(A), has a maximum of $2,232.
(xxxiii) Civil penalty for failure to obey a cease-and-desist order
under the Soybean Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act,
codified at 7 U.S.C. 6307(e), has a maximum of $11,109. Each day the
violation continues is a separate violation.
(xxxiv) Civil penalty for failure to pay, collect, or remit any
assessment or fee or for a violation of a program under the Fluid Milk
Promotion Act of 1990, codified at 7 U.S.C. 6411(c)(1)(A), has a
minimum of $1,085 and a maximum of $10,846, or in the case of a
violation that is willful, codified at 7 U.S.C. 6411(c)(1)(B), has a
minimum of $21,313 and a maximum of $216,892.
(xxxv) Civil penalty for failure to obey a cease-and-desist order
under the Fluid Milk Promotion Act of 1990, codified at 7 U.S.C.
6411(e), has a maximum of $11,162. Each day the violation continues is
a separate violation.
(xxxvi) Civil penalty for knowingly labeling or selling a product
as organic except in accordance with the Organic Foods Production Act
of 1990, codified at 7 U.S.C. 6519(c), has a maximum of $21,689.
[[Page 30031]]
(xxxvii) Civil penalty for failure to pay, collect, or remit any
assessment or fee or for a violation of a program under the Fresh Cut
Flowers and Fresh Cut Greens Promotion and Information Act of 1993,
codified at 7 U.S.C. 6808(c)(1)(A)(i), has a minimum of $1,023 and a
maximum of $10,226.
(xxxviii) Civil penalty for failure to obey a cease-and-desist
order under the Fresh Cut Flowers and Fresh Cut Greens Promotion and
Information Act of 1993, codified at 7 U.S.C. 6808(e)(1), has a maximum
of $10,226. Each day the violation continues is a separate violation.
(xxxix) Civil penalty for a violation of a program under the Sheep
Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1994, codified at 7 U.S.C.
7107(c)(1)(A), has a maximum of $1,993.
(xl) Civil penalty for failure to obey a cease-and-desist order
under the Sheep Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1994,
codified at 7 U.S.C. 7107(e), has a maximum of $996. Each day the
violation continues is a separate violation.
(xli) Civil penalty for a violation of an order or regulation
issued under the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of
1996, codified at 7 U.S.C. 7419(c)(1), has a minimum of $1,881 and a
maximum of $18,825 for each violation.
(xlii) Civil penalty for failure to obey a cease-and-desist order
under the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996,
codified at 7 U.S.C. 7419(e), has a minimum of $1,881 and a maximum of
$18,825. Each day the violation continues is a separate violation.
(xliii) Civil penalty for a violation of an order or regulation
issued under the Canola and Rapeseed Research, Promotion, and Consumer
Information Act, codified at 7 U.S.C. 7448(c)(1)(A)(i), has a maximum
of $1,881 for each violation.
(xliv) Civil penalty for failure to obey a cease-and-desist order
under the Canola and Rapeseed Research, Promotion, and Consumer
Information Act, codified at 7 U.S.C. 7448(e), has a maximum of $9,413.
Each day the violation continues is a separate violation.
(xlv) Civil penalty for violation of an order or regulation issued
under the National Kiwifruit Research, Promotion, and Consumer
Information Act, codified at 7 U.S.C. 7468(c)(1), has a minimum of $942
and a maximum of $9,413 for each violation.
(xlvi) Civil penalty for failure to obey a cease-and-desist order
under the National Kiwifruit Research, Promotion, and Consumer
Information Act, codified at 7 U.S.C. 7468(e), has a maximum of $942.
Each day the violation continues is a separate violation.
(xlvii) Civil penalty for a violation of an order or regulation
under the Popcorn Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act,
codified at 7 U.S.C. 7487(a), has a maximum of $1,881 for each
violation.
(xlviii) Civil penalty for certain violations under the Egg
Products Inspection Act, codified at 21 U.S.C. 1041(c)(1)(A), has a
maximum of $10,846 for each violation.
(xlix) Civil penalty for violation of an order or regulation issued
under the Hass Avocado Promotion, Research, and Information Act of
2000, codified at 7 U.S.C. 7807(c)(1)(A)(i), has a minimum of $1,711
and a maximum of $17,110 for each violation.
(l) Civil penalty for failure to obey a cease-and-desist order
under the Hass Avocado Promotion, Research, and Information Act of
2000, codified at 7 U.S.C. 7807(e)(1), has a maximum of $17,127 for
each offense. Each day the violation continues is a separate violation.
(li) Civil penalty for violation of certain provisions of the
Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act of 1999, codified a 7 U.S.C.
1636b(a)(1), has a maximum of $17,718 for each violation.
(lii) Civil penalty for failure to obey a cease-and-desist order
under the Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act of 1999, codified a 7
U.S.C. 1636b(g)(3), has a maximum of $17,718 for each violation. Each
day the violation continues is a separate violation.
(liii) Civil penalty for failure to obey an order of the Secretary
issued pursuant to the Dairy Product Mandatory Reporting program,
codified at 7 U.S.C. 1637b(c)(4)(D)(iii), has a maximum of $17,127 for
each offense.
(liv) Civil penalty for a willful violation of the Country of
Origin Labeling program by a retailer or person engaged in the business
of supplying a covered commodity to a retailer, codified at 7 U.S.C.
1638b(b)(2), has a maximum of $1,376 for each violation.
(lv) Civil penalty for violations of the Dairy Research Program,
codified at 7 U.S.C. 4535 and 4510(b), has a maximum of $2,949 for each
violation.
(lvi) Civil penalty for a packer or swine contractor violation,
codified at 7 U.S.C. 193(b), has a maximum of $33,896.
(lvii) Civil penalty for a livestock market agency or dealer
failure to register, codified at 7 U.S.C. 203, has a maximum of $2,311
and not more than $115 for each day the violation continues.
(lviii) Civil penalty for operating without filing, or in violation
of, a stockyard rate schedule, or of a regulation or order of the
Secretary made thereunder, codified at 7 U.S.C. 207(g), has a maximum
of $2,312 and not more than $115 for each day the violation continues.
(lix) Civil penalty for a stockyard owner, livestock market agency,
or dealer, who engages in or uses any unfair, unjustly discriminatory,
or deceptive practice or device in connection with determining whether
persons should be authorized to operate at the stockyards, or with
receiving, marketing, buying, or selling on a commission basis or
otherwise, feeding, watering, holding, delivery, shipment, weighing, or
handling of livestock, codified at 7 U.S.C. 213(b), has a maximum of
$33,896.
(lx) Civil penalty for a stockyard owner, livestock market agency,
or dealer, who knowingly fails to obey any order made under the
provisions of 7 U.S.C. 211, 212, or 213, codified at 7 U.S.C. 215(a),
has a maximum of $2,312.
(lxi) Civil penalty for live poultry dealer violations, codified at
7 U.S.C. 228b-2(b), has a maximum of $98,605.
(lxii) Civil penalty for a violation, codified at 7 U.S.C. 86(c),
has a maximum of $331,249.
(lxiii) Civil penalty for failure to comply with certain provisions
of the U.S. Warehouse Act, codified at 7 U.S.C. 254, has a maximum of
$42,818 per violation if an agricultural product is not involved in the
violation.
(2) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. (i) Civil penalty
for a violation of the imported seed provisions of the Federal Seed
Act, codified at 7 U.S.C. 1596(b), has a minimum of $115 and a maximum
of $2,312.
(ii) Civil penalty for a violation of the Animal Welfare Act,
codified at 7 U.S.C. 2149(b), has a maximum of $13,760, and knowing
failure to obey a cease-and-desist order has a civil penalty of $2,063.
(iii) Civil penalty for any person that causes harm to, or
interferes with, an animal used for the purposes of official inspection
by USDA, codified at 7 U.S.C. 2279e(a), has a maximum of $17,127.
(iv) Civil penalty for a violation of the Swine Health Protection
Act, codified at 7 U.S.C. 3805(a), has a maximum of $34,422.
(v) Civil penalty for any person that violates the Plant Protection
Act (PPA), or that forges, counterfeits, or, without authority from the
Secretary, uses, alters, defaces, or destroys any certificate, permit,
or other document
[[Page 30032]]
provided for in the PPA, codified a 7 U.S.C. 7734(b)(1), has a maximum
of the greater of: $85,636 in the case of any individual (except that
the civil penalty may not exceed $1,712 in the case of an initial
violation of the PPA by an individual moving regulated articles not for
monetary gain), $428,175 in the case of any other person for each
violation, $688,012 for all violations adjudicated in a single
proceeding if the violations do not include a willful violation, and
$1,376,023 for all violations adjudicated in a single proceeding if the
violations include a willful violation; or twice the gross gain or
gross loss for any violation, forgery, counterfeiting, unauthorized
use, defacing, or destruction of a certificate, permit, or other
document provided for in the PPA that results in the person deriving
pecuniary gain or causing pecuniary loss to another.
(vi) Civil penalty for any person (except as provided in 7 U.S.C.
8309(d)) that violates the Animal Health Protection Act (AHPA), or that
forges, counterfeits, or, without authority from the Secretary, uses,
alters, defaces, or destroys any certificate, permit, or other document
provided under the AHPA, codified at 7 U.S.C. 8313(b)(1), has a maximum
of the greater of: $82,187 in the case of any individual, except that
the civil penalty may not exceed $1,644 in the case of an initial
violation of the AHPA by an individual moving regulated articles not
for monetary gain, $410,933 in the case of any other person for each
violation, $688,012 for all violations adjudicated in a single
proceeding if the violations do not include a willful violation, and
$1,376,023 for all violations adjudicated in a single proceeding if the
violations include a willful violation; or twice the gross gain or
gross loss for any violation, forgery, counterfeiting, unauthorized
use, defacing, or destruction of a certificate, permit, or other
document provided under the AHPA that results in the person's deriving
pecuniary gain or causing pecuniary loss to another person.
(vii) Civil penalty for any person that violates certain
regulations under the Agricultural Bioterrorism Protection Act of 2002
regarding transfers of listed agents and toxins or possession and use
of listed agents and toxins, codified at 7 U.S.C. 8401(i)(1), has a
maximum of $410,933 in the case of an individual and $821,869 in the
case of any other person.
(viii) Civil penalty for violation of the Horse Protection Act,
codified at 15 U.S.C. 1825(b)(1), has a maximum of $6,781.
(ix) Civil penalty for failure to obey Horse Protection Act
disqualification, codified at 15 U.S.C. 1825(c), has a maximum of
$13,252.
(x) Civil penalty for knowingly violating, or, if in the business
as an importer or exporter, violating, with respect to terrestrial
plants, any provision of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, any permit
or certificate issued thereunder, or any regulation issued pursuant to
section 9(a)(1)(A) through (F), (a)(2)(A) through (D), (c), (d) (other
than regulations relating to record keeping or filing reports), (f), or
(g), as specified at 16 U.S.C. 1540(a)(1), has a maximum of $61,984 for
each violation.
(xi) Civil penalty for knowingly violating, or, if in the business
as an importer or exporter, violating, with respect to terrestrial
plants, any other regulation under the Endangered Species Act of 1973,
as specified at 16 U.S.C. 1540(a)(1), has a maximum of $29,683 for each
violation.
(xii) Civil penalty for violating, with respect to terrestrial
plants, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, or any regulation, permit,
or certificate issued thereunder, as specified at 16 U.S.C. 1540(a)(1),
has a maximum of $1,564 for each violation.
(xiii) Civil penalty for knowingly and willfully violating 49
U.S.C. 80502 with respect to the transportation of animals by any rail
carrier, express carrier, or common carrier (except by air or water), a
receiver, trustee, or lessee of one of those carriers, or an owner or
master of a vessel, codified at 49 U.S.C. 80502(d), has a minimum of
$195 and a maximum of $996.
(xiv) Civil penalty for a violation of the Commercial
Transportation of Equine for Slaughter Act, 7 U.S.C. 1901 note, and its
implementing regulations in 9 CFR part 88, as specified in 9 CFR 88.6,
has a maximum of $5,891. Each horse transported in violation of 9 CFR
part 88 is a separate violation.
(xv) Civil penalty for knowingly violating section 3(d) or 3(f) of
the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981, or for violating any other provision
provided that, in the exercise of due care, the violator should have
known that the plant was taken, possessed, transported, or sold in
violation of any underlying law, treaty, or regulation, has a maximum
of $30,822 for each violation, as specified in 16 U.S.C. 3373(a)(1)
(but if the plant has a market value of less than $412, and involves
only the transportation, acquisition, or receipt of a plant taken or
possessed in violation of any law, treaty, or regulation of the United
States, any Indian tribal law, any foreign law, or any law or
regulation of any State, the penalty will not exceed the maximum
provided for violation of said law, treaty, or regulation, or $30,822,
whichever is less).
(xvi) Civil penalty for violating section 3(f) of the Lacey Act
Amendments of 1981, as specified in 16 U.S.C. 3373(a)(2), has a maximum
of $770.
(3) Food and Nutrition Service. (i) Civil penalty for violating a
provision of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (Act), or a regulation
under the Act, by a retail food store or wholesale food concern,
codified at 7 U.S.C. 2021(a) and (c), has a maximum of $137,603 for
each violation.
(ii) Civil penalty for trafficking in food coupons, codified at 7
U.S.C. 2021(b)(3)(B), has a maximum of $49,585 for each violation,
except that the maximum penalty for violations occurring during a
single investigation is $89,289.
(iii) Civil penalty for the sale of firearms, ammunitions,
explosives, or controlled substances for coupons, codified at 7 U.S.C.
2021(b)(3)(C), has a maximum of $44,645 for each violation, except that
the maximum penalty for violations occurring during a single
investigation is $89,289.
(iv) Civil penalty for any entity that submits a bid to supply
infant formula to carry out the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program
for Women, Infants and Children and discloses the amount of the bid,
rebate, or discount practices in advance of the bid opening or for any
entity that makes a statement prior to the opening of bids for the
purpose of influencing a bid, codified at 42 U.S.C. 1786(h)(8)(H)(i),
has a maximum of $210,161,878.
(v) Civil penalty for a vendor convicted of trafficking in food
instruments, codified at 42 U.S.C. 1786(o)(1)(A) and 42 U.S.C.
1786(o)(4)(B), has a maximum of $18,171 for each violation, except that
the maximum penalty for violations occurring during a single
investigation is $72,686.
(vi) Civil penalty for a vendor convicted of selling firearms,
ammunition, explosive, or controlled substances in exchange for food
instruments, codified at 42 U.S.C. 1786(o)(1)(B) and 42 U.S.C.
1786(o)(4)(B), has a maximum of $17,725 for each violation, except that
the maximum penalty for violations occurring during a single
investigation is $72,686.
(4) Food Safety and Inspection Service. (i) Civil penalty for
certain violations under the Egg Products Inspection Act, codified at
21 U.S.C. 1041(c)(1)(A), has a maximum of $10,846 for each violation.
(ii) [Reserved]
[[Page 30033]]
(5) Forest Service. (i) Civil penalty for willful disregard of the
prohibition against the export of unprocessed timber originating from
Federal lands, codified at 16 U.S.C. 620d(c)(1)(A), has a maximum of
$1,116,140 per violation or three times the gross value of the
unprocessed timber, whichever is greater.
(ii) Civil penalty for a violation in disregard of the Forest
Resources Conservation and Shortage Relief Act or the regulations that
implement such Act regardless of whether such violation caused the
export of unprocessed timber originating from Federal lands, codified
in 16 U.S.C. 620d(c)(2)(A)(i), has a maximum of $167,442 per violation.
(iii) Civil penalty for a person that should have known that an
action was a violation of the Forest Resources Conservation and
Shortage Relief Act or the regulations that implement such Act
regardless of whether such violation caused the export of unprocessed
timber originating from Federal lands, codified at 16 U.S.C.
620d(c)(2)(A)(ii), has a maximum of $111,614 per violation.
(iv) Civil penalty for a willful violation of the Forest Resources
Conservation and Shortage Relief Act or the regulations that implement
such Act regardless of whether such violation caused the export of
unprocessed timber originating from Federal lands, codified in 16
U.S.C. 620d(c)(2)(A)(iii), has a maximum of $1,116,140.
(v) Civil penalty for a violation involving protections of caves,
codified at 16 U.S.C. 4307(a)(2), has a maximum of $24,393.
(6) [Reserved]
(7) Federal Crop Insurance Corporation. (i) Civil penalty for any
person who willfully and intentionally provides any false or inaccurate
information to the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation or to an approved
insurance provider with respect to any insurance plan or policy that is
offered under the authority of the Federal Crop Insurance Act, or who
fails to comply with a requirement of the Federal Crop Insurance
Corporation, codified in 7 U.S.C. 1515(h)(3)(A), has a maximum of the
greater of: The amount of the pecuniary gain obtained as a result of
the false or inaccurate information or the noncompliance; or $14,478.
(ii) [Reserved]
(8) Rural Housing Service. (i) Civil penalty for a violation of
section 536 of Title V of the Housing Act of 1949, codified in 42
U.S.C. 1490p(e)(2), has a maximum of $237,267 in the case of an
individual, and a maximum of $2,372,677 in the case of an applicant
other than an individual.
(ii) Civil penalty for equity skimming under section 543(a) of the
Housing Act of 1949, codified in 42 U.S.C. 1490s(a)(2), has a maximum
of $42,818.
(iii) Civil penalty under section 543b of the Housing Act of 1949
for a violation of regulations or agreements made in accordance with
Title V of the Housing Act of 1949, by submitting false information,
submitting false certifications, failing to timely submit information,
failing to maintain real property in good repair and condition, failing
to provide acceptable management for a project, or failing to comply
with applicable civil rights laws and regulations, codified in 42
U.S.C. 1490s(b)(3)(A), has a maximum of the greater of: Twice the
damages USDA, guaranteed lender, or project that is secured for a loan
under Title V suffered or would have suffered as a result of the
violation; or $85,636 per violation.
(9) [Reserved]
(10) Commodity Credit Corporation. (i) Civil penalty for willful
failure or refusal to furnish information, or willful furnishing of
false information under of section 156 of the Federal Agricultural
Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, codified at 7 U.S.C. 7272(g)(5),
has a maximum of $18,825 for each violation.
(ii) Civil penalty for willful failure or refusal to furnish
information or willful furnishing of false data by a processor,
refiner, or importer of sugar, syrup and molasses under section 156 of
the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, codified at
7 U.S.C. 7272(g)(5), has a maximum of $18,825 for each violation.
(iii) Civil penalty for filing a false acreage report that exceeds
tolerance under section 156 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and
Reform Act of 1996, codified at 7 U.S.C. 7272(g)(5), has a maximum of
$18,825 for each violation.
(iv) Civil penalty for knowingly violating any regulation of the
Secretary of the Commodity Credit Corporation pertaining to flexible
marketing allotments for sugar under section 359h(b) of the
Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938, codified at 7 U.S.C. 1359hh(b),
has a maximum of $13,760 for each violation.
(v) Civil penalty for knowing violation of regulations promulgated
by the Secretary pertaining to cotton insect eradication under section
104(d) of the Agricultural Act of 1949, codified at 7 U.S.C. 1444a(d),
has a maximum of $16,952 for each offense.
(11) Office of the Secretary. (i) Civil penalty for making,
presenting, submitting or causing to be made, presented or submitted, a
false, fictitious, or fraudulent claim as defined under the Program
Fraud Civil Remedies Act of 1986, codified at 31 U.S.C. 3802(a)(1), has
a maximum of $13,509.
(ii) Civil penalty for making, presenting, submitting or causing to
be made, presented or submitted, a false, fictitious, or fraudulent
written statement as defined under the Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act
of 1986, codified at 31 U.S.C. 3802(a)(2), has a maximum of $13,509.
John Rapp,
Director, Office of Budget and Program Analysis.
[FR Doc. 2023-09912 Filed 5-9-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-90-P