No Penalty Hikes in 2026 Because Inflation Data Went Missing
Published Date: 5/27/2026
Rule
Summary
Good news for businesses and workers: the Department of Labor won’t raise any fines or penalties in 2026 because the usual inflation data wasn’t available. This means all civil penalties stay the same starting May 27, 2026. So, no surprise cost hikes this year—just steady rules and steady fees!
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
No Penalty Increase in 2026
The Department of Labor will not increase any of its civil monetary penalties for 2026 because the Bureau of Labor Statistics did not publish the October 2025 CPI-U. Agencies were instructed by OMB memorandum M-26-11 (April 17, 2026) to continue using the 2025 civil monetary penalty amounts; this rule is effective May 27, 2026.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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