Number: RL34368
Title: Adjustment of Civil Monetary Penalties for Inflation
Authors: Curtis W. Copeland, Government and Finance Division 
Abstract: Civil monetary penalties are one way agencies enforce federal laws and regulations. The minimum and maximum size of civil penalties may be established administratively by federal agencies, or may be established in statute. Over time, inflation can reduce the original deterrent value of civil penalties. To prevent that from happening, in 1996, Congress amended the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 ("Inflation Adjustment Act") and required federal agencies to adjust their covered penalties for inflation by October 1996; and to examine their covered penalties at least once every four years thereafter and make any required penalty adjustments.
Pages: 13
Date: Updated February 11, 2008