# 2026-00535: Rail and Pipeline Fines Hike: Inflation Hits Surface Transportation Penalties

2026-00535, Civil Monetary Penalties-2026 Adjustment, is a Federal Register rule from Surface Transportation Board published 2026-01-14, effective 2026-01-14 (as of 2026-06-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00535
- As of: 2026-06-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-00535
- Title: Civil Monetary Penalties-2026 Adjustment
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Surface Transportation Board
- Citation: 91 FR 1447
- Published: 2026-01-14
- Effective: 2026-01-14
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: none
- Last updated: 2026-06-11

## In one line

Rail and Pipeline Fines Hike: Inflation Hits Surface Transportation Penalties

## Summary

Starting January 14, 2026, the Surface Transportation Board is raising its civil fines to keep up with inflation. This means companies involved in rail, motor, water, and pipeline transportation might pay a bit more if they break the rules. The increase is based on recent price changes, making sure penalties stay fair and effective.

## Abstract

The Surface Transportation Board (Board) is issuing a final rule to implement the annual inflationary adjustment to its civil monetary penalties, pursuant to the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015.

## Effects PRIA read

No economic effects identified for this document.

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## Sources
- [2026-00535 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/14/2026-00535/civil-monetary-penalties-2026-adjustment)
- [2026-00535 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-01-14/pdf/2026-00535.pdf)

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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00535 (as of 2026-06-11).