-
Start Preamble
AGENCY:
Departmental Offices, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, and Office of Foreign Assets Control, Treasury.
ACTION:
Final rule.
SUMMARY:
The Department of the Treasury (“Department” or “Treasury”) publishes this final rule to adjust its civil monetary penalties (“CMPs”) for inflation as mandated by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, as 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 certain components of the Department to the maximum amount required by the Act.
DATES:
Effective March 19, 2018.
Start Further InfoFOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
For information regarding the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program's CMPs, contact Richard Ifft, Senior Insurance Regulatory Policy Analyst, Federal Insurance Office, Room 1410 MT, Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20220, at (202) 622-2922 (not a toll-free number), Kevin Meehan, Senior Insurance Regulatory Policy Analyst, Federal Insurance Office, at (202) 622-7009 (not a toll-free number), or Lindsey Baldwin, Senior Policy Analyst, Federal Insurance Office, at (202) 622-3220 (not a toll free number). Persons who have difficulty hearing or speaking may access these numbers via TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
For information regarding Financial Crimes Enforcement Network's CMPs, contact the FinCEN Resource Center at (800) 767-2825 or email frc@fincen.gov.
For information regarding the Office of Foreign Assets Control's CMPs, contact the Assistant Director for Enforcement, tel.: 202-622-2430; Start Printed Page 11877Assistant Director for Licensing, tel.: 202-622-2480; Assistant Director for Regulatory Affairs, tel.: 202-622-4855; Assistant Director for Sanctions Compliance & Evaluation, tel.: 202-622-2490; or the Department of the Treasury's Office of the Chief Counsel (Foreign Assets Control), Office of the General Counsel, tel.: 202-622-2410.
End Further Info End Preamble Start Supplemental InformationSUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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 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, without needing to provide notice and the opportunity for public comment required by 5 U.S.C. 553. The Department's initial catch-up adjustment interim final rules were published on June 30, 2016 (FinCEN) (81 FR 42503), July 1, 2016 (OFAC) (81 FR 43070), and December 7, 2016 (Departmental Offices) (81 FR 88600). The Department's 2017 annual adjustment was published on February 10, 2017 (82 FR 10434). The 2015 Act provides that any increase in a CMP shall apply to CMPs that are assessed after the date the increase takes effect, regardless of whether the underlying violation predated such increase.[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 and the Office of Management and Budget guidance required by the 2015 Act, annual inflation adjustments subsequent to the initial catch-up adjustment are to be based on the percent change between the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (“CPI-U”) for the October preceding the date of the adjustment and the prior year's October CPI-U. As set forth in Office of Management and Budget Memorandum M-18-03 of December 15, 2017, the adjustment multiplier for 2018 is 1.02041. In order to complete the 2018 annual adjustment, each current 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.
Procedural Matters
1. Administrative Procedure Act
The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (Section 701(b)) requires agencies, beginning in 2017, to make annual adjustments for inflation to CMPs, without needing to provide notice and the opportunity for public comment required by 5 U.S.C. 553. Additionally, the methodology used, effective 2017, for adjusting CMPs for inflation is provided by statute, with no discretion provided to agencies regarding the substance of the adjustments for inflation to CMPs. The Department is charged only with performing ministerial computations to determine the dollar amount of adjustments for inflation to CMPs. Accordingly, prior public notice and an opportunity for public comment and a delayed effective date are not required for this rule.
2. Regulatory Flexibility Act
Because no notice of proposed rulemaking is required, the provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) do not apply.
3. Executive Order 12866
This rule is not a significant regulatory action as defined in section 3.f of Executive Order 12866.
4. Paperwork Reduction Act
The provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, and its implementing regulations, 5 CFR part 1320, do not apply to this rule because there are no new or revised recordkeeping or reporting requirements.
Start List of SubjectsList of Subjects
31 CFR Part 50
- Insurance
- Terrorism
31 CFR Parts 501, 535, 536, 538, 539, 541, 542, 544, 546, 547, 548, 549, 560, 561, 566, 576, 584, 588, 592, 594, 595, 597, and 598
- Administrative practice and procedure
- Banks
- Banking
- Blocking of assets
- Exports
- Foreign trade
- Licensing
- Penalties
- Sanctions
31 CFR Part 1010
- Authority delegations (Government agencies)
- Banks and banking
- Currency
- Investigations
- Law enforcement
- Reporting and recordkeeping requirements
Authority and Issuance
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, part 50, chapter V, and part 1010 of title 31 of the Code of Federal Regulations are amended as follows:
Start PartPART 50—TERRORISM RISK INSURANCE PROGRAM
End Part Start Amendment Part1. The authority citation for part 50 continues to read as follows:
End Amendment Part Start Amendment Part2. Amend § 50.83 by revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:
End Amendment PartAdjustment of civil monetary penalty amount.(a) Inflation adjustment. Any penalty under the Act and these regulations may not exceed the greater of $1,360,525 and, in the case of any failure to pay, charge, collect or remit amounts in accordance with the Act or these regulations such amount in dispute.
* * * * *PART 501—REPORTING, PROCEDURES AND PENALTIES REGULATIONS
End Part Start Amendment Part3. The authority citation for part 501 continues to read as follows:
End Amendment PartSubpart D—Trading With the Enemy Act (TWEA) Penalties
[Amended]4. Amend § 501.701 as follows:
End Amendment Part Start Amendment Parta. In the note to paragraph (a)(1), remove “As of January 15, 2017,” ; and remove “$85,236” and add in its place “$86,976”.
End Amendment Part Start Amendment Partb. In paragraph (a)(3), remove “$85,236” and add in its place “$86,976”.
End Amendment Part Start Amendment Part5. Amend appendix A to part 501 as follows:
End Amendment Part Start Amendment Parta. In section V.B.2.a.i., remove “$144,619” and add in its place “$147,571”, and remove “$289,238” and add in its place “$295,141”.
End Amendment Part Start Amendment Partb. In section V.B.2.a.ii., remove “$289,238” in all three locations where it appears, and add in its place in all three locations “$295,141”. Start Printed Page 11878
End Amendment Part Start Amendment Partc. Revise the note to paragraph (a) of section V.B.2.a. to read as follows:
End Amendment PartAppendix A to Part 501—Economic Sanctions Enforcement Guidelines
* * * * *B. * * *
2. * * *
a. * * *
Note to paragraph (a): The applicable statutory maximum civil penalty per violation for each statute enforced by OFAC is as follows: International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)—greater of $295,141 or twice the amount of the underlying transaction; Trading with the Enemy Act (TWEA)—$86,976; Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (FNKDA)—$1,466,485; Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 (AEDPA)—greater of $77,909 or twice the amount of which a financial institution was required to retain possession or control; and Clean Diamond Trade Act (CDTA)—$13,333. The civil penalty amounts authorized under these statutes are subject to adjustment pursuant to the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-410, as amended, 28 U.S.C. 2461 note).
The following matrix represents the base amount of the proposed civil penalty for each category of violation:
Start PartPART 535—IRANIAN ASSETS CONTROL REGULATIONS
End Part Start Amendment Part6. The authority citation for part 535 continues to read as follows:
End Amendment PartSubpart G—Penalties
[Amended]7. In the note to paragraph (a)(1) in § 535.701, remove “As of January 15, 2017, the” and add in its place “The”, and remove “$289,238” and add in its place “$295,141”.
End Amendment Part Start PartPART 536—NARCOTICS TRAFFICKING SANCTIONS REGULATIONS
End Part Start Amendment Part8. The authority citation for part 536 continues to read as follows:
End Amendment PartSubpart G—Penalties
[Amended]9. In the note to paragraph (a)(1) in § 536.701, remove “As of January 15, 2017, the” and add in its place “The”, and remove “$289,238” and add in its place “$295,141”.
End Amendment Part Start PartPART 538—SUDANESE SANCTIONS REGULATIONS
End Part Start Amendment Part10. The authority citation for part 538 continues to read as follows:
End Amendment Part Start Printed Page 11879Subpart G—Penalties
[Amended]11. In the note to paragraph (a)(1) in § 538.701 , remove “As of January 15, 2017” and add in its place “The”, and remove “$289,238” and add in its place “$295,141”.
End Amendment Part Start PartPART 539—WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION TRADE CONTROL REGULATIONS
End Part Start Amendment Part12. The authority citation for part 539 continues to read as follows:
End Amendment PartSubpart G—Penalties
[Amended]13. In the note to paragraph (a)(1) in § 539.701, remove “As of January 15, 2017, the” and add in its place “The”, and remove “$289,238” and add in its place “$295,141”.
End Amendment Part Start PartPART 541—ZIMBABWE SANCTIONS REGULATIONS
End Part Start Amendment Part14. The authority citation for part 541 continues to read as follows:
End Amendment PartSubpart G—Penalties
[Amended]15. In the note to paragraph (a)(1) in § 541.701, remove “As of January 15, 2017, the” and add in its place “The”, and remove “$289,238” and add in its place “$295,141”.
End Amendment Part Start PartPART 542—SYRIAN SANCTIONS REGULATIONS
End Part Start Amendment Part16. The authority citation for part 542 continues to read as follows:
End Amendment PartSubpart G—Penalties
[Amended]17. In the note to paragraph (a)(1) in § 542.701, remove “As of January 15, 2017, the” and add in its place “The”, and remove “$289,238” and add in its place “$295,141”.
End Amendment Part Start PartPART 544—WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION PROLIFERATORS SANCTIONS REGULATIONS
End Part Start Amendment Part18. The authority citation for part 544 continues to read as follows:
End Amendment PartSubpart G—Penalties
[Amended]19. In the note to paragraph (a)(1) in § 544.701, remove “As of January 15, 2017, the” and add in its place “The”, and remove “$289,238” and add in its place “$295,141”.
End Amendment Part Start PartPART 546—DARFUR SANCTIONS REGULATIONS
End Part Start Amendment Part20. The authority citation for part 546 continues to read as follows:
End Amendment PartSubpart G—Penalties
[Amended]21. In the note to paragraph (a)(1) in § 546.701, remove “As of January 15, 2017, the” and add in its place “The”, and remove “$289,238” and add in its place “$295,141”.
End Amendment Part Start PartPART 547—DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO SANCTIONS REGULATIONS
End Part Start Amendment Part22. The authority citation for part 547 continues to read as follows:
End Amendment PartSubpart G—Penalties
[Amended]23. In the note to paragraph (a)(1) in § 547.701, remove “As of January 15, 2017, the” and add in its place “The”, and remove “$289,238” and add in its place “$295,141”.
End Amendment Part Start PartPART 548—BELARUS SANCTIONS REGULATIONS
End Part Start Amendment Part24. The authority citation for part 548 continues to read as follows:
End Amendment PartSubpart G—Penalties
[Amended]25. In the note to paragraph (a)(1) in § 548.701, remove “As of January 15, 2017, the” and add in its place “The”, and remove “$289,238” and add in its place “$295,141”.
End Amendment Part Start PartPART 549—LEBANON SANCTIONS REGULATIONS
End Part Start Amendment Part26. The authority citation for part 549 continues to read as follows:
End Amendment PartSubpart G—Penalties
[Amended]27. In the note to paragraph (a)(1) in § 549.701, remove “As of January 15, 2017, the” and add in its place “The”, and remove “$289,238” and add in its place “$295,141”.
End Amendment Part Start PartPART 560—IRANIAN TRANSACTIONS AND SANCTIONS REGULATIONS
End Part Start Amendment Part28. The authority citation for part 560 continues to read as follows:
End Amendment PartSubpart G—Penalties
[Amended]29. In the note to paragraph (a)(1) in § 560.701, remove “As of January 15, 2017, the” and add in its place “The”, and remove “$289,238” and add in its place “$295,141”.
End Amendment Part Start PartPART 561—IRANIAN FINANCIAL SANCTIONS REGULATIONS
End Part Start Amendment Part30. The authority citation for part 561 continues to read as follows:
End Amendment PartSubpart G—Penalties
[Amended]31. In the note to paragraph (a) in § 561.701, remove “As of January 15, 2017, the” and add in its place “The”, and remove “$289,238” and add in its place “$295,141”.
End Amendment Part Start PartPART 566—HIZBALLAH FINANCIAL SANCTIONS REGULATIONS
End Part Start Amendment Part32. The authority citation for part 566 continues to read as follows:
End Amendment PartSubpart G—Penalties
[Amended]33. In the note to paragraph (a) in § 566.701, remove “As of January 15, 2017, the” and add in its place “The”, and remove “$289,238” and add in its place “$295,141”.
End Amendment Part Start PartPART 576—IRAQ STABILIZATION AND INSURGENCY SANCTIONS REGULATIONS
End Part Start Amendment Part34. The authority citation for part 576 continues to read as follows:
End Amendment PartSubpart G—Penalties
Start Amendment Part35. In the note to paragraph (a)(1) in§ 576.701, remove “As of January 15, 2017, the” and add in its place “The”, and remove “$289,238” and add in its place “$295,141”.
End Amendment Part Start PartPART 584—MAGNITSKY ACT SANCTIONS REGULATIONS
End Part Start Amendment Part36. The authority citation for part 584 continues to read as follows:
End Amendment Part[Amended]37. In the note to paragraph (a)(1) in § 584.701, remove “As of December 21, 2017,”; and remove “$239,238” and add in its place “$295,141”.
End Amendment Part Start PartPART 588—WESTERN BALKANS STABILIZATION REGULATIONS
End Part Start Amendment Part38. The authority citation for part 588 continues to read as follows:
End Amendment PartSubpart G—Penalties
[Amended]39. In the note to paragraph (a)(1) in § 588.701, remove “As of January 15, 2017, the” and add in its place “The”, and remove “$289,238” and add in its place “$295,141”.
End Amendment Part Start PartPART 592—ROUGH DIAMONDS CONTROL REGULATIONS
End Part Start Amendment Part40. The authority citation for part 592 continues to read as follows:
End Amendment PartSubpart F—Penalties
[Amended]41. In the note to paragraph (a)(1) in § 592.601, remove “As of January 15, 2017, the” and add in its place “The”, and remove “$13,066” and add in its place “$13,333”.
End Amendment Part Start PartPART 594—GLOBAL TERRORISM SANCTIONS REGULATIONS
End Part Start Amendment Part42. The authority citation for part 594 continues to read as follows:
End Amendment PartSubpart G—Penalties
[Amended]43. In the note to paragraph (a)(1) in § 594.701, remove “As of January 15, 2017, the” and add in its place “The”, and remove “$289,238” and add in its place “$295,141”.
End Amendment Part Start PartPART 595—TERRORISM SANCTIONS REGULATIONS
End Part Start Amendment Part44. The authority citation for part 595 continues to read as follows:
End Amendment PartSubpart G—Penalties
[Amended]45. In the note to paragraph (a)(1) in § 595.701, remove “As of January 15, 2017, the” and add in its place “The”, and remove “$289,238” and add in its place “$295,141”.
End Amendment Part Start PartPART 597—FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS SANCTIONS REGULATIONS
End Part Start Amendment Part46. The authority citation for part 597 continues to read as follows:
End Amendment PartSubpart G—Penalties
[Amended]47. In the note to paragraph (b) in § 597.701, remove “As of January 15, 2017, the” and add in its place “The”, and remove “$76,351” and add in its place “$77,909”.
End Amendment Part Start Part Start Printed Page 11881PART 598—FOREIGN NARCOTICS KINGPIN SANCTIONS REGULATIONS
End Part Start Amendment Part48. The authority citation for part 598 continues to read as follows:
End Amendment PartSubpart G—Penalties
[Amended]49. In the note to paragraph (a)(3) in § 598.701, remove “As of January 15, 2017, the” and add in its place “The”, and remove “$1,437,153” and add in its place “$1,466,485”.
End Amendment Part Start PartPART 1010—GENERAL PROVISIONS
End Part Start Amendment Part50. The authority citation for part 1010 continues to read as follows:
End Amendment Part Start Amendment Part51. Amend § 1010.821 by revising Table 1 of § 1010.821 to read as follows:
End Amendment PartPenalty adjustment and table.* * * * *(b) * * *
Table 1 of § 1010.821—Penalty Adjustment Table
U.S. Code citation Civil monetary penalty description Penalties as last amended by statute New maximum penalty amounts or range of minimum and maximum penalty amounts for penalties assessed after 8/1/2016 but before 1/16/2017 New maximum penalty amounts or range of minimum and maximum penalty amounts for penalties assessed after 1/15/2017 12 U.S.C. 1829b(j) Relating to Recordkeeping Violations For Funds Transfers $10,000 $20,111 $20,521 12 U.S.C. 1955 Willful or Grossly Negligent Recordkeeping Violations 10,000 20,111 20,521 31 U.S.C. 5318(k)(3)(C) Failure to Terminate Correspondent Relationship with Foreign Bank 10,000 13,603 13,881 31 U.S.C. 5321(a)(1) General Civil Penalty Provision for Willful Violations of Bank Secrecy Act Requirements 25,000-100,000 54,789-219,156 55,907-223,629 31 U.S.C. 5321(a)(5)(B)(i). Foreign Financial Agency Transaction—Non-Willful Violation of Transaction 10,000 12,663 12,921 31 U.S.C. 5321(a)(5)(C) Foreign Financial Agency Transaction—Willful Violation of Transaction 100,000 126,626 129,210 31 U.S.C. 5321(a)(6)(A) Negligent Violation by Financial Institution or Non-Financial Trade or Business 500 1,096 1,118 31 U.S.C. 5321(a)(6)(B) Pattern of Negligent Activity by Financial Institution or Non-Financial Trade or Business 50,000 85,236 86,976 31 U.S.C. 5321(a)(7) Violation of Certain Due Diligence Requirements, Prohibition on Correspondent Accounts for Shell Banks, and Special Measures 1,000,000 1,360,317 1,388,081 31 U.S.C. 5330(e) Civil Penalty for Failure to Register as Money Transmitting Business 5,000 8,084 8,249 Ryan Brady,
Executive Secretary.
Footnotes
1. However, the increased CMPs apply only with respect to underlying violations occurring after the date of enactment of the 2015 Act, i.e., after November 2, 2015.
Back to Citation[FR Doc. 2018-05550 Filed 3-16-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-35-P
Document Information
- Effective Date:
- 3/19/2018
- Published:
- 03/19/2018
- Department:
- Foreign Assets Control Office
- Entry Type:
- Rule
- Action:
- Final rule.
- Document Number:
- 2018-05550
- Dates:
- Effective March 19, 2018.
- Pages:
- 11876-11881 (6 pages)
- Topics:
- Administrative practice and procedure, Authority delegations (Government agencies), Banks, banking, Banks, banking, Banks, banking, Banks, banking, Banks, banking, Blocking of assets, Currency, Exports, Foreign trade, Insurance, Investigations, Law enforcement, Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Terrorism
- PDF File:
- 2018-05550.pdf
- Supporting Documents:
- » Hong Kong-Related Sanctions Regulations
- » Blocking or Unblocking of Persons and Properties
- » Blocking or Unblocking of Persons and Properties
- » Blocking or Unblocking of Persons and Properties
- » Blocking or Unblocking of Persons and Properties
- » Blocking or Unblocking of Persons and Properties
- » Blocking or Unblocking of Persons and Properties
- » Blocking or Unblocking of Persons and Properties
- » Blocking or Unblocking of Persons and Properties
- » Blocking or Unblocking of Persons and Properties
- CFR: (24)
- 31 CFR 50.83
- 31 CFR 501.701
- 31 CFR 535.701
- 31 CFR 536.701
- 31 CFR 538.701
- More ...