Government Raises Fines Because Even Penalties Need Cost-of-Living Adjustments
Published Date: 1/16/2025
Rule
Summary
Starting January 15, 2025, the Federal Housing Finance Agency is raising its civil money penalties to keep up with inflation. This means banks, mortgage companies, and related financial groups will face higher fines if they break the rules. The update helps keep penalties fair and effective in today’s economy.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
FHFA Raises Maximum Civil Penalties
FHFA raised the maximum civil money penalties it can impose under 12 U.S.C. 4636. The new maximums (applicable to violations occurring on or after January 15, 2025) are: First Tier $14,575; Second Tier $72,876; Third Tier $2,915,057.
Flood-Insurance Penalties for Enterprises Increased
FHFA increased flood-insurance related civil money penalties for Enterprises: the per-violation cap rises to $709 (from $691) and the annual total penalty cap for an Enterprise rises to $204,428 (from $199,251). These amounts apply to violations occurring on or after January 15, 2025.
Higher Penalties for False Claims to FHFA
FHFA increased the maximum civil penalty under the Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act for a false claim or false statement to $14,308 (up from $13,946). This applies to claims or statements made to FHFA and is effective for violations on or after January 15, 2025.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-17116, Modifications to the Regulations Implementing the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as Amended
The U.S. Department of Labor publishes this final rule to revise its implementing regulations for the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as amended (VEVRAA). These revisions will align the regulations with Executive Order 14173 and remove the VEVRAA regulations' cross-references to the Executive Order 11246 authority. Executive Order 11246 was revoked by Executive Order 14173 on January 21, 2025. This final rule also makes technical revisions to update the VEVRAA regulations' jurisdictional thresholds, which were adjusted for inflation by the Federal Acquisition Regulation Council on October 1, 2025.
2026-17115, Modifications to the Regulations Implementing Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as Amended
The U.S. Department of Labor is revising its implementing regulations for Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Section 503). The revisions align the regulations with applicable law and recent executive orders, including Executive Order 14173, "Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity," and Executive Order 14219, "Ensuring Lawful Governance and Implementing the President's `Department of Government Efficiency' Deregulatory Initiative."
2026-17114, Rescission of Executive Order 11246 Implementing Regulations
On January 21, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14173, "Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity," which revoked Executive Order 11246. Accordingly, the U.S. Department of Labor publishes this final rule to rescind the implementing regulations for Executive Order 11246.
2026-17088, Carboxin; Pesticide Tolerances
This regulation establishes tolerances for residues of carboxin in or on multiple crops that are discussed later in this document. Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), UPL Delaware Inc. submitted a petition to EPA requesting that EPA establish a maximum permissible level for residues of this pesticide in or on the identified commodities.
2026-17120, Fisheries of the South Atlantic; 2026 Commercial Closure of Red Snapper in the South Atlantic
NMFS implements an accountability measure for red snapper in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic. NMFS projects that commercial landings of red snapper will reach the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) for the 2026 fishing year. Therefore, NMFS is closing the commercial sector for red snapper in the South Atlantic EEZ. This closure is necessary to protect the red snapper resource.
2026-17113, Fisheries of the South Atlantic; Commercial Closure for Blueline Tilefish in the South Atlantic
NMFS implements an accountability measure for the commercial harvest of blueline tilefish in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic. NMFS estimates that commercial landings of blueline tilefish will reach the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) for the 2026 fishing year. Accordingly, NMFS closes the commercial sector of blueline tilefish in the South Atlantic EEZ to protect the blueline tilefish resource from overfishing.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-00760, Plant Records To Include Grade Label Butterfat Testing
Starting February 18, 2025, dairy plants in the USDA’s voluntary grading program must keep records of butterfat tests done either in-house or by approved labs. These records have to be ready for USDA inspectors to check, making the process smoother and matching how the industry already works. This change helps plants stay efficient without adding extra costs.
Next: 2025-00816, Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Portable Electric Spas
The Department of Energy is sharing new data about possible energy-saving rules for portable electric spas, like hot tubs. If you make, sell, or buy these spas, you might see changes that help save energy and money over time. Comments on these ideas are open until February 18, 2025, so now’s the time to weigh in!