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Title 33, Navigation and Navigable WatersRelease 119-110

§533 Penalties for Violations

Title 33 › CHAPTER 11 — BRIDGES OVER NAVIGABLE WATERS › SUBCHAPTER III — GENERAL BRIDGE AUTHORITY › § 533

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

Penalties apply when someone willfully disobeys orders or requirements under this law. If a person willfully refuses to follow a lawful order from the Secretary of the department that runs the Coast Guard, the Chief of Engineers, or a lawful demand for books or records, or willfully breaks other rules in this part, they can be convicted and face a fine up to $5,000, or up to one year in jail, or both. Civil fines can also be charged for violations. The maximum fine per violation is $5,000 for 2004; $10,000 for 2005; $15,000 for 2006; $20,000 for 2007; and $25,000 for 2008 and later. Each day the violation continues counts as a separate offense. No civil fine can be imposed until the person gets notice and a chance for a hearing. The Secretary of the department where the Coast Guard operates can assess, collect, or reduce or settle a fine until the case goes to the Attorney General. If the fine is not paid, the government can sue in the U.S. district court where the violation happened.

Full Legal Text

Title 33, §533

Navigation and Navigable Waters, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Criminal penalties for violation
Any person who willfully fails or refuses to comply with any lawful order of the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating or the Chief of Engineers issued under the provisions of this subchapter, or who willfully fails to comply with any specific condition imposed by the Chief of Engineers and the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating relating to the maintenance and operation of bridges, or who willfully refuses to produce books, papers, or documents in obedience to a subpena or other lawful requirement under this subchapter, or who otherwise willfully violates any provisions of this subchapter, shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not to exceed $5,000 or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
(b)Civil penalties for violation; separate offenses; notice and hearing; assessment, collection, and remission; civil actions
Whoever violates any provision of this subchapter, or any order issued under this subchapter, shall be liable to a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 for a violation occurring in 2004; $10,000 for a violation occurring in 2005; $15,000 for a violation occurring in 2006; $20,000 for a violation occurring in 2007; and $25,000 for a violation occurring in 2008 and any year thereafter. Each day a violation continues shall be deemed a separate offense. No penalty may be assessed under this subsection until the person charged is given notice and an opportunity for a hearing on the charge. The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating may assess and collect any civil penalty incurred under this subsection and, in his discretion, may remit, mitigate, or compromise any penalty until the matter is referred to the Attorney General. If a person against whom a civil penalty is assessed under this subsection fails to pay that penalty, an action may be commenced in the district court of the United States for any district in which the violation occurs for such penalty.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2016—Pub. L. 114–120 substituted “Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating” for “Secretary of Transportation” wherever appearing. 2004—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 108–293 substituted “$5,000 for a violation occurring in 2004; $10,000 for a violation occurring in 2005; $15,000 for a violation occurring in 2006; $20,000 for a violation occurring in 2007; and $25,000 for a violation occurring in 2008 and any year thereafter” for “$1,000”. 1983—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 97–449 substituted “Secretary of Transportation” for “Secretary of War” wherever appearing. See

Transfer of Functions

note below. 1982—Pub. L. 97–322 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), made willfulness an element of the described offenses, and added subsec. (b).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Transfer of Functions

section 6(g)(6)(C) of Pub. L. 89–670 transferred functions, powers, and duties of Secretary of the Army [formerly War] and other offices and officers of Department of the Army [formerly War] under this subchapter to extent that they relate generally to location and clearances of bridges and causeways in navigable waters of United States to Secretary of Transportation. Pub. L. 97–449 amended this section to reflect transfer made by section 6(g)(6)(C) of Pub. L. 89–670, and repealed section 6(g)(6)(C).

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

33 U.S.C. § 533

Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110