94 STAT. 822
Amount reductions.
Violation, determination of penalty amount.
Civil penalty, recovery.
Report to Congress.
Recommendations for further legislation.
PUBLIC LAW 96-296—JULY 1, 1980 Secretary finds that such reduction will not adversely affect public safety. (4) If, at the end of the one-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary has not established regulations to require minimal levels of financial responsibility as required by paragraph (1) of this subsection for any class of transportation of hazardous materials, oil, hazardous substsmces, or hazardous wastes by motor vehicle in interstate or intrastate commerce, the levels of financial responsibility for such class of transportation shall be the $5,000,000 amount set forth in paragraph (2) of this subsection or the $1,000,000 amount set forth in paragraph (3) of this subsection, as the case may be, until such time as the Secretary, by regulation, changes such amount under this subsection. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (2) or (3)(A) of this subsection, the Secretary may only make reductions in such amount under such paragraph for the twoyear period beginning on the 366th day following the date of enactment of this Act or any part of such period. (c) Financial responsibility may be established under this section by any one or any combination of the following methods acceptable to the Secretary: evidence of insurance, guarantee, surety bond, or qualification as a self-insurer. Any bond filed shall be issued by a bonding company authorized to do business in the United States. The Secretary shall establish, by regulation, methods and procedures to Eissure compliance with this section. (d)(1) Any person (except an employee who acts without knowledge) who is determined by the Secretary, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, to have knowingly violated this section or a regulation issued under this section shall be liable to the United States for civil penalty of not more than $10,000 for each violation, and if any such violation is a continuing one each day of violation constitutes a separate offense. The amount of any such penalty shall be assessed by the Secretary by written notice. In determining the amount of such penalty, the Secretary shall take into account the nature, circumstances, extent, and gravity of the violation committed and, with respect to the person found to have committed such violation, the degree of culpability, any history of prior offenses, ability to pay, effect on ability to continue to do business, and such other matters as justice may require. (2) Such civil penalty may be recovered in an action brought by the Attorney General on behalf of the United States in the appropriate district court of the United States or, prior to referral to the Attorney General, such civil penalty may be compromised by the Secretary. The amount of such penalty, when finally determined (or agreed upon in compromise), may be deducted from any sums owed by the United States to the person charged. All penalties collected under this subsection shall be deposited in the Treasury of the United States as miscellaneous receipts. (e) Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall report to Congress upon the regulations issued under this section. The Secretary shall describe the various levels of financial responsibility mandated and the rationale for selecting the final limits. The Secretary shall also include an estimate of the impact of the regulations upon the safety of motor vehicle transportation, the economic condition of the motor carrier industry (including, but not limited to, small and minority motor carriers and independent owner-operators), and the ability of the insurance industry to provide the designated coverage. The Secretary shall make recom-
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