PRIA Logo™
Title 49, TransportationRelease 119-110

§14914 Civil Penalty Procedures

Title 49 › SUBTITLE IV — INTERSTATE TRANSPORTATION › PART B — MOTOR CARRIERS, WATER CARRIERS, BROKERS, AND FREIGHT FORWARDERS › CHAPTER 149 — CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES › § 14914

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Surface Transportation Board can fine anyone who breaks transportation laws or its rules. Before fining, the Board must give notice and a chance for a hearing. The Board sends the fine in writing. When deciding how much, it looks at what happened, how bad it was, how responsible the person was, any past offenses, ability to pay, and other fair factors. The Board can reduce or cancel a fine until it sends the case to the Attorney General. If a final fine is not paid, the Board can ask the Attorney General to collect it in federal court. A person can ask for a refund within 1 year of paying if the Board finds the fine was unlawfully, improperly, or excessively imposed.

Full Legal Text

Title 49, §14914

Transportation, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In General.—
After notice and an opportunity for a hearing, a person found by the Surface Transportation Board to have violated a provision of law that the Board carries out or a regulation prescribed under that law by the Board that is related to transportation which occurs under subchapter II of chapter 135 for which a civil penalty is provided, is liable to the United States for the civil penalty provided. The amount of the civil penalty shall be assessed by the Board by written notice. In determining the amount of the penalty, the Board shall consider the nature, circumstances, extent, and gravity of the prohibited acts committed and, with respect to the violator, the degree of culpability, any history of prior offenses, ability to pay, and other matters that justice requires.
(b)Compromise.—
The Board may compromise, modify, or remit, with or without consideration, a civil penalty until the assessment is referred to the Attorney General.
(c)Collection.—
If a person fails to pay an assessment of a civil penalty after it has become final, the Board may refer the matter to the Attorney General for collection in an appropriate district court of the United States.
(d)Refunds.—
The Board may refund or remit a civil penalty collected under this section if—
(1)application has been made for refund or remission of the penalty within 1 year from the date of payment; and
(2)the Board finds that the penalty was unlawfully, improperly, or excessively imposed.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective Jan. 1, 1996, except as otherwise provided in Pub. L. 104–88, see section 2 of Pub. L. 104–88, set out as a note under section 1301 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

49 U.S.C. § 14914

Title 49, Transportation

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110