Government Raises Fines for Disturbing Native American Graves
Published Date: 1/16/2025
Rule
Summary
Starting January 16, 2025, the Department of the Interior is raising civil penalties under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act to keep up with inflation. This means fines will be a bit higher to stay fair and effective. Anyone involved with NAGPRA rules should note these changes and the updated mailing address.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Museum NAGPRA Fine Raised to $8,531
If you run a museum or an institution subject to NAGPRA, the civil penalty for "Failure of Museum to Comply" is increased from $8,315 to $8,531 effective January 16, 2025. The new dollar amount is the adjusted penalty that will be assessed for violations after that date.
Daily Penalties for Continued Noncompliance Up
If you continue to be out of compliance with NAGPRA, the daily civil penalty amounts were raised effective January 16, 2025: continued failure to comply per-day amounts are adjusted to $1,707. These per-day penalties appear in 43 CFR 10.11(g)(4) and 10.11(m)(1).
Adjusted Penalties Apply to Assessments After Jan 16, 2025
The adjusted penalty levels take effect immediately on January 16, 2025 and apply to penalties assessed after that date. The rule also states these adjusted levels will apply, if consistent with agency policy, to assessments associated with violations that occurred on or after November 2, 2015.
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