Penalty Freeze! Transport Board Skips Inflation Bump for 2026
Published Date: 5/5/2026
Rule
Summary
The Surface Transportation Board usually raises fines each year to keep up with inflation, but for 2026, they won’t increase any penalties because the key inflation data wasn’t available. This affects anyone who might face fines from the Board, and the no-change rule kicks in starting May 5, 2026. So, penalties stay the same this year—no surprise hikes!
Free Policy Watch
New rules are filed every week. Most people never see them.
Pick a topic. PRIA watches every federal rule and tells you when one hits your household.
Pick a topic to get started
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
No Penalty Increases for 2026
If your business is subject to Surface Transportation Board penalties, the Board will not raise civil monetary penalties for 2026. Following OMB guidance on April 17, 2026, the Board keeps 2026 penalty levels the same as 2025, effective May 5, 2026. Examples of unchanged amounts include $9,970 for many violations, $199,408 maximum for undercharge/overcharge violations, and $13,647 for certain unlawful brokerage penalties.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Take It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Take the PRIA Score to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in