81_FR_36901 81 FR 36791 - Civil Monetary Penalties Inflationary Adjustment

81 FR 36791 - Civil Monetary Penalties Inflationary Adjustment

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 110 (June 8, 2016)

Page Range36791-36793
FR Document2016-13455

This final rule is issued to adjust the civil monetary penalties (CMP) for regulatory provisions maintained and enforced by the Department of State. The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 (the 1990 Act), as amended by the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 (the 1996 Act), required the head of each agency to adjust its CMPs for inflation no later than October 23, 1996 and required agencies to make adjustments at least once every four years thereafter. The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (the 2015 Act) further amended the 1990 Act by requiring agencies to adjust CMPs, if necessary, pursuant to a ``catch- up'' adjustment methodology prescribed by the 2015 Act, which mandates that the catch up adjustment take effect no later than August 1, 2016. Additionally, the 2015 Act requires agencies to make annual adjustments to their respective CMPs in accordance with guidance issued by the Office of Management and Budget. The revised CMP adjustments in this rule will apply only to those penalties assessed after its effective date; subsequent annual adjustments are to be published not later than January 15 of each year. In keeping with guidance provided by the Office of Management and Budget, the new penalty levels will apply to all assessments made on or after August 1, 2016, regardless of the date on which the underlying facts or violations occurred.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 110 (Wednesday, June 8, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 110 (Wednesday, June 8, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36791-36793]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-13455]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

22 CFR Parts 35, 103, 127, and 138

[Public Notice: 9536]
RIN 1400-AD94


Civil Monetary Penalties Inflationary Adjustment

AGENCY: Department of State.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This final rule is issued to adjust the civil monetary 
penalties (CMP) for regulatory provisions maintained and enforced by 
the Department of State. The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation 
Adjustment Act of 1990 (the 1990 Act), as amended by the Debt 
Collection Improvement Act of 1996 (the 1996 Act), required the head of 
each agency to adjust its CMPs for inflation no later than October 23, 
1996 and required agencies to make adjustments at least once every four 
years thereafter. The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act 
Improvements Act of 2015 (the 2015 Act) further amended the 1990 Act by 
requiring agencies to adjust CMPs, if necessary, pursuant to a ``catch-
up'' adjustment methodology prescribed by the 2015 Act, which mandates 
that the catch up adjustment take effect no later than August 1, 2016. 
Additionally, the 2015 Act requires agencies to make annual adjustments 
to their respective CMPs in accordance with guidance issued by the 
Office of Management and Budget. The revised CMP adjustments in this 
rule will apply only to those penalties assessed after its effective 
date; subsequent annual adjustments are to be published not later than 
January 15 of each year. In keeping with guidance provided by the 
Office of Management and Budget, the new penalty levels will apply to 
all assessments made on or after August 1, 2016, regardless of the date 
on which the underlying facts or violations occurred.

DATES: This final rule is effective August 1, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alice Kottmyer, Attorney-Adviser, 
Office of Management, [email protected]. ATTN: Regulatory Change, 
CMP Adjustments, (202) 647-2318.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 1990 Act (Pub. L. 101-410) provided for 
the regular evaluation of CMPs by federal agencies. Periodic 
inflationary adjustments of CMPs ensure that the consequences of 
statutory violations adequately reflect the gravity of such offenses 
and that CMPs are properly accounted for and collected by the federal 
government. In April 1996, the 1990 Act was amended by the 1996 Act 
(Pub. L. 104-134), which required federal agencies to adjust their CMPs 
at least once every four years. However, because inflationary 
adjustments to CMPs were statutorily capped at ten percent of the 
maximum penalty amount, but only required to be calculated every four 
years, CMPs in many cases did not correspond with the true measure of 
inflation over the preceding four year period, leading to a decline in 
the real value of the penalty. To remedy this decline, the 2015 Act 
(section 701 of Pub. L. 114-74) requires agencies to adjust the level 
of CMPs with an initial ``catch-up'' adjustment through a rulemaking 
and to make subsequent annual inflationary adjustments to their 
respective CMPs using a methodology mandated by the legislation.
    The 1990 Act defines civil monetary penalty as any penalty, fine, 
or other sanction that:
     Is for a specific monetary amount as provided for in 
federal law; or has a maximum amount provided for by federal law; and
     is assessed or enforced by an agency as pursuant to 
federal law; and,
     is assessed or enforced pursuant to an administrative 
proceeding or a civil action in the federal courts.
    Within the Department of State (Title 22, Code of Federal 
Regulations), this rule affects four areas:
    (1) Part 35, which implements the Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act 
of 1986 (PFCRA), codified at 31 U.S.C. 3801-3812;
    (2) Part 103, which implements the Chemical Weapons Convention 
Implementation Act of 1998 (CWC Act);
    (3) Part 127, which implements the penalty provisions of sections 
38(e), 39A(c), and 40(k) of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) (22 
U.S.C. 2778(e), 2779a(c), 2780(k)); and
    (4) Part 138, which implements Section 319 of Public Law 101-221, 
codified at 31 U.S.C. 1352, and prohibits recipients of federal 
contracts, grants, and loans from using appropriated funds for lobbying 
the Executive or Legislative Branches of the federal government in 
connection with a specific contract.
    The 2015 Act instructs agencies to make a one-time catch-up 
adjustment to CMPs using the maximum penalty level or range of minimum 
and maximum penalties as they were ``most recently established or 
adjusted under a provision of law other than [the 1990] Act.'' 
Nevertheless, the 2015 Act

[[Page 36792]]

specifies that the catch-up adjustment amount will in no case exceed 
150% of the penalty amount which was in force at the enactment date of 
the 2015 Act on November 2, 2015; therefore, the total revised penalty 
amount will not exceed 250% of the total maximum penalty amount on 
November 2, 2015.

Specific Changes to 22 CFR Made by This Rule

I. Part 35

    The PFRCA, enacted in 1986, authorizes agencies, with approval from 
the Department of Justice, to pursue individuals or firms for false 
claims. The maximum liability under the PFRCA is $5,000 for each false 
claim, up to a maximum of $150,000, in addition to twice the amount of 
the claim submitted contrary to the PFRCA.
    According to OMB guidance, the multiplier for the PFRCA (a 1986 
statute) is 2.15628; therefore, the new maximum penalty for each false 
claim or statement is $10,781, up to a maximum of $323,442.

II. Part 103

    The CWC Act provided domestic implementation of the Convention on 
the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling, and Use of 
Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction. The penalty provisions of 
the CWC Act are codified at 22 U.S.C. 6761. A person violating 22 
U.S.C. 6761(a)(1)(A), Prohibited acts relating to inspections, is 
subject to a civil penalty of an amount not to exceed $25,000 for each 
such violation. A person violating 22 U.S.C. 6761(a)(1)(B), 
Recordkeeping violations, is subject to a civil penalty in an amount 
not to exceed $5,000 for each such violation.
    According to OMB Guidance, the multiplier for the CWC Act (a 1998 
statute) is 1.45023. Therefore, the new maximum civil monetary penalty 
for prohibited acts relating to inspections is $36,256 for each 
violation; and the new maximum civil monetary penalty for recordkeeping 
violations is $7,251 for each such violation.

III. Part 127

    The Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs is 
responsible for the imposition of CMPs under the International Traffic 
in Arms Regulations (ITAR), which is administered by the Directorate of 
Defense Trade Controls (DDTC). Each of the penalty provisions of the 
AECA provides that the CMP for each relevant violation may not exceed 
$500,000.
(1) AECA Section 38(e)
    The most recent statutory modification of the CMPs provided for 
under AECA section 38(e), 22 U.S.C. 2778(e), occurred in 1985 when the 
maximum penalty amount was capped at $500,000 per violation. According 
to OMB guidance, the multiplier for AECA section 38(e) is 2.18802; 
therefore, the new maximum penalty will be $1,094,010 per violation.
(2) AECA Section 39A(c)
    The most recent statutory modification of the CMPs provided for 
under AECA section 39A(c), 22 U.S.C. 2779a(c), occurred in 1994 when 
the maximum penalty amount was capped at $500,000 per violation. 
According to OMB guidance, the multiplier for AECA section 39A(c) is 
1.59089; therefore, the new maximum adjusted penalty level will be 
$795,445 per violation.
(3) AECA Section 40(k)
    The most recent statutory modification of the CMPs provided for 
under AECA section 40(k), 22 U.S.C. 2780(k), occurred in 1989 when the 
maximum penalty amount was capped at $500,000 per violation. According 
to OMB guidance, the multiplier for AECA section 40(k) is 1.89361; 
therefore, the new maximum adjusted penalty level will be $946,805 per 
violation.

IV. Part 138

    Section 319 of Public Law 101-121, codified at 31 U.S.C. 1352, 
provides penalties for recipients of federal contracts, grants, and 
loans who use appropriated funds to lobby the Executive or Legislative 
Branches of the federal government in connection with a specific 
contract, grant, or loan. Any person who violates that prohibition is 
subject to a civil penalty of not less than $10,000 and not more than 
$100,000 for each such expenditure. The statute also requires each 
person who requests or receives a federal contract, grant, cooperative 
agreement, loan, or a federal commitment to insure or guarantee a loan, 
to disclose any lobbying; the penalty for failure to disclose is not 
less than $10,000 and not more than $100,000 for each such failure.
    According to OMB guidance, the multiplier for 31 U.S.C. 1352 (a 
1989 statute) is 1.89361. Therefore, the new maximum civil violations 
under the statute, for both improper expenditures and failure to 
disclose, are: Not less than $18,936 and not more than $189,361.

Effective Date of Penalties

    The revised CMP amounts will go into effect on August 1, 2016. All 
violations for which CMPs are assessed after the effective date of this 
rule, regardless of whether the violation occurred before the effective 
date, will be assessed at the adjusted penalty level.

Future Adjustments and Reporting

    The 2015 Act directs agencies to undertake an annual review of CMPs 
using a formula prescribed by the statute. Hereafter, annual 
adjustments to CMPs will be made in accordance with the guidance issued 
by OMB. The Department of State will publish notification of annual 
inflation adjustments to CMPs in the Federal Register no later than 
January 15 of each year, with the adjusted amount taking effect 
immediately upon publication. Furthermore, OMB Circular A-136, 
Financial Reporting Requirements, directs agencies to identify any 
changes to CMPs in the Agency Financial Report (AFR), including the 
affected penalties, dates and amounts of adjustments, and applicable 
statutes and regulations.

Regulatory Analysis and Notices

Administrative Procedure Act

    The Department of State is publishing this rule using the ``good 
cause'' exception to the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 
553(b)), as the Department has determined that public comment on this 
rulemaking would be impractical, unnecessary, or contrary to the public 
interest. This rulemaking is mandatory; it implements Public Law 114-
74.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    Because this rulemaking is exempt from Section 553 of the 
Administrative Procedures Act, a Regulatory Flexibility Analysis is not 
required.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    This rule does not involve a mandate that will result in the 
expenditure by State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, 
or by the private sector, of $100 million or more in any year and it 
will not significantly or uniquely affect small governments. Therefore, 
no actions were deemed necessary under the provisions of the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act of 1995.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996

    This rule has been found not to be a major rule within the meaning 
of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996.

Executive Orders 12372 and 13132

    This rulemaking does not have sufficient federalism implications to 
require consultations or warrant the preparation of a federalism 
summary

[[Page 36793]]

impact statement. The regulations implementing Executive Order 12372 
regarding intergovernmental consultation on federal programs and 
activities do not apply to this rulemaking.

Executive Orders 12866 and 13563

    The Department believes that benefits of the rulemaking outweigh 
any costs, and there are no feasible alternatives to this rulemaking. 
It is the Department's position that this rulemaking is not an 
economically significant rule under the criteria of Executive Order 
12866, and is consistent with the provisions of Executive Order 13563.

Executive Order 12988

    The Department of State has reviewed the proposed amendment in 
light of Executive Order 12988 to eliminate ambiguity, minimize 
litigation, establish clear legal standards, and reduce burden.

Executive Order 13175

    The Department of State has determined that this rulemaking will 
not have tribal implications, will not impose substantial direct 
compliance costs on Indian tribal governments, and will not preempt 
tribal law. Accordingly, Executive Order 13175 does not apply to this 
rulemaking.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This rulemaking does not impose or revise any information 
collections subject to 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

List of Subjects

22 CFR Part 35

    Administrative practice and procedure, Claims, Fraud, Penalties.

22 CFR Part 103

    Administrative practice and procedure, Chemicals, Classified 
information, Foreign relations, Freedom of information, International 
organization, Investigations, Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

22 CFR Part 127

    Arms and munitions, Exports.

22 CFR Part 138

    Government contracts, Grant programs, Loan programs, Lobbying, 
Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    For the reasons set forth above, 22 CFR parts 127, 35, 103, and 138 
are amended as follows:

PART 35--PROGRAM FRAUD CIVIL REMEDIES

0
1. The authority citation for part 35 is revised to read as follows:

    Authority:  22 U.S.C. 2651a; 31 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.; Pub. L. 
114-74, 129 Stat. 584.



0
2. In Sec.  35.3:
0
a. Remove ``$5,000'' and add in its place ``$10,781'', wherever it 
occurs.
0
b. Add paragraph (f) to read as follows:


Sec.  35.3  Basis for civil penalties and assessments.

* * * * *
    (f) The maximum penalty for each false claim or statement is 
$10,781, up to a maximum of $323,442.

PART 103--REGULATIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS 
CONVENTION AND THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION IMPLEMENTATION ACT 
OF 1998 ON THE TAKING OF SAMPLES AND ON ENFORCEMENT OF REQUIREMENTS 
CONCERNING RECORDKEEPING AND INSPECTIONS

0
3. The authority citation for part 103 is revised to read as follows:

    Authority:  22 U.S.C. 2651a; 22 U.S.C. 6701 et seq.; Pub. L. 
114-74, 129 Stat. 584.


Sec.  103.6  [Amended]

0
4. Amend Sec.  103.6 to remove ``$25,000'' and add in its place 
``$36,256'' in paragraph (a)(1), and to remove ``$5,000'', and add in 
its place $7,251'' in paragraph (a)(2).

PART 127--VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES

0
5. The authority citation for part 127 is revised to read as follows:

    Authority:  Sections 2, 38, and 42, Pub. L. 90-629, 90 Stat. 744 
(22 U.S.C. 2752, 2778, 2791); 22 U.S.C. 401; 22 U.S.C. 2651a; 22 
U.S.C. 2779a; 22 U.S.C. 2780; E.O. 13637, 78 FR 16129; Pub. L. 114-
74, 129 Stat. 584.

0
6. Section 127.10 is amended by revising paragraph (a) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  127.10  Civil penalty.

    (a)(1) The Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military 
Affairs is authorized to impose a civil penalty, as follows:
    (i) For each violation of 22 U.S.C. 2778, an amount not to exceed 
$1,094,010;
    (ii) For each violation of 22 U.S.C. 2779a, an amount not to exceed 
$795,445; and
    (iii) For each violation of 22 U.S.C. 2780, an amount not to exceed 
$946,805.
    (2) The civil penalty may be either in addition to, or in lieu of, 
any other liability or penalty which may be imposed.
* * * * *

PART 138--NEW RESTRICTIONS ON LOBBYING

0
7. The authority citation for part 138 is revised to read as follows:

    Authority:  22 U.S.C. 2651a; 31 U.S.C. 1352; Pub. L. 114-74, 129 
Stat. 584.


Sec.  138.400  [Amended]

0
8. Amend Sec.  138.400 by removing ``$10,000'' and ``$100,000'', and 
adding in their place ``$18,936'' and ``$189,361'' respectively, 
wherever they occur.

    Dated: June 1, 2016.
Lisa Aguirre,
Managing Director, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls Department of 
State.
[FR Doc. 2016-13455 Filed 6-7-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4710-25-P



                                                              Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 110 / Wednesday, June 8, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                                      36791

                                                                                                                                                                                                        21 CFR
                                                 File No.                                     Sponsor                                                      Product name                                 section

                                           041–955 1 ............   Cross Vetpharm Group Ltd., Broomhill Rd., Tallaght,            Erythromycin Medicated Premix ...................................   558.248
                                                                      Dublin 24, Ireland.
                                           049–729 1 ............   Cross Vetpharm Group Ltd., Broomhill Rd., Tallaght,            PURINA Sulfa (sulfamethazine) 12.5% Solution .........              522.2260a
                                                                      Dublin 24, Ireland.
                                           100–128 1 ............   Cross Vetpharm Group Ltd., Broomhill Rd., Tallaght,            Supersweet Medipak TYLAN 10 ..................................      558.625
                                                                      Dublin 24, Ireland.
                                           200–307 1 ............   Vetoquinol N.-A., Inc., 2000 chemin Georges,                   Penicillin G Potassium, USP, Soluble Powder ............            520.1696b
                                                                      Lavaltrie (PQ), Canada J5T 3S5.
                                              1These NADAs were identified as being affected by guidance for industry #213, ‘‘New Animal Drugs and New Animal Drug Combination Prod-
                                           ucts Administered in or on Medicated Feed or Drinking Water of Food-Producing Animals: Recommendations for Drug Sponsors for Voluntarily
                                           Aligning Product Use Conditions with GFI #209,’’ December 2013.


                                             Therefore, under authority delegated                  Act) further amended the 1990 Act by                     decline in the real value of the penalty.
                                           to the Commissioner of Food and Drugs                   requiring agencies to adjust CMPs, if                    To remedy this decline, the 2015 Act
                                           and redelegated to the Center for                       necessary, pursuant to a ‘‘catch-up’’                    (section 701 of Pub. L. 114–74) requires
                                           Veterinary Medicine, and in accordance                  adjustment methodology prescribed by                     agencies to adjust the level of CMPs
                                           with § 514.116 Notice of withdrawal of                  the 2015 Act, which mandates that the                    with an initial ‘‘catch-up’’ adjustment
                                           approval of application (21 CFR                         catch up adjustment take effect no later                 through a rulemaking and to make
                                           514.116), notice is given that approval                 than August 1, 2016. Additionally, the                   subsequent annual inflationary
                                           of NADAs 007–076, 008–244, 041–955,                     2015 Act requires agencies to make                       adjustments to their respective CMPs
                                           049–729, 100–128, and ANADA 200–                        annual adjustments to their respective                   using a methodology mandated by the
                                           307, and all supplements and                            CMPs in accordance with guidance                         legislation.
                                           amendments thereto, is hereby                           issued by the Office of Management and                     The 1990 Act defines civil monetary
                                           withdrawn, effective June 20, 2016.                     Budget. The revised CMP adjustments                      penalty as any penalty, fine, or other
                                             Elsewhere in this issue of the Federal                in this rule will apply only to those                    sanction that:
                                           Register, FDA is amending the animal                    penalties assessed after its effective                     • Is for a specific monetary amount as
                                           drug regulations to reflect the voluntary               date; subsequent annual adjustments are                  provided for in federal law; or has a
                                           withdrawal of approval of these                         to be published not later than January                   maximum amount provided for by
                                           applications.                                           15 of each year. In keeping with                         federal law; and
                                             Dated: May 31, 2016.                                  guidance provided by the Office of                         • is assessed or enforced by an agency
                                                                                                   Management and Budget, the new                           as pursuant to federal law; and,
                                           Tracey Forfa,
                                                                                                   penalty levels will apply to all                           • is assessed or enforced pursuant to
                                           Acting Director, Center for Veterinary                  assessments made on or after August 1,                   an administrative proceeding or a civil
                                           Medicine.
                                                                                                   2016, regardless of the date on which                    action in the federal courts.
                                           [FR Doc. 2016–13518 Filed 6–7–16; 8:45 am]                                                                         Within the Department of State (Title
                                                                                                   the underlying facts or violations
                                           BILLING CODE 4164–01–P                                  occurred.                                                22, Code of Federal Regulations), this
                                                                                                                                                            rule affects four areas:
                                                                                                   DATES: This final rule is effective August
                                                                                                                                                              (1) Part 35, which implements the
                                                                                                   1, 2016.
                                           DEPARTMENT OF STATE                                                                                              Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act of
                                                                                                   FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                         1986 (PFCRA), codified at 31 U.S.C.
                                           22 CFR Parts 35, 103, 127, and 138                      Alice Kottmyer, Attorney-Adviser,                        3801–3812;
                                                                                                   Office of Management, kottmyeram@                          (2) Part 103, which implements the
                                           [Public Notice: 9536]
                                                                                                   state.gov. ATTN: Regulatory Change,                      Chemical Weapons Convention
                                           RIN 1400–AD94                                           CMP Adjustments, (202) 647–2318.                         Implementation Act of 1998 (CWC Act);
                                                                                                   SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 1990                        (3) Part 127, which implements the
                                           Civil Monetary Penalties Inflationary                   Act (Pub. L. 101–410) provided for the                   penalty provisions of sections 38(e),
                                           Adjustment                                              regular evaluation of CMPs by federal                    39A(c), and 40(k) of the Arms Export
                                           AGENCY:    Department of State.                         agencies. Periodic inflationary                          Control Act (AECA) (22 U.S.C. 2778(e),
                                           ACTION:   Final rule.                                   adjustments of CMPs ensure that the                      2779a(c), 2780(k)); and
                                                                                                   consequences of statutory violations                       (4) Part 138, which implements
                                           SUMMARY:   This final rule is issued to                 adequately reflect the gravity of such                   Section 319 of Public Law 101–221,
                                           adjust the civil monetary penalties                     offenses and that CMPs are properly                      codified at 31 U.S.C. 1352, and prohibits
                                           (CMP) for regulatory provisions                         accounted for and collected by the                       recipients of federal contracts, grants,
                                           maintained and enforced by the                          federal government. In April 1996, the                   and loans from using appropriated
                                           Department of State. The Federal Civil                  1990 Act was amended by the 1996 Act                     funds for lobbying the Executive or
                                           Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of                   (Pub. L. 104–134), which required                        Legislative Branches of the federal
                                           1990 (the 1990 Act), as amended by the                  federal agencies to adjust their CMPs at                 government in connection with a
                                           Debt Collection Improvement Act of                      least once every four years. However,                    specific contract.
                                           1996 (the 1996 Act), required the head                  because inflationary adjustments to                        The 2015 Act instructs agencies to
                                           of each agency to adjust its CMPs for                   CMPs were statutorily capped at ten                      make a one-time catch-up adjustment to
ehiers on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                           inflation no later than October 23, 1996                percent of the maximum penalty                           CMPs using the maximum penalty level
                                           and required agencies to make                           amount, but only required to be                          or range of minimum and maximum
                                           adjustments at least once every four                    calculated every four years, CMPs in                     penalties as they were ‘‘most recently
                                           years thereafter. The Federal Civil                     many cases did not correspond with the                   established or adjusted under a
                                           Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act                      true measure of inflation over the                       provision of law other than [the 1990]
                                           Improvements Act of 2015 (the 2015                      preceding four year period, leading to a                 Act.’’ Nevertheless, the 2015 Act


                                      VerDate Sep<11>2014   14:36 Jun 07, 2016   Jkt 238001   PO 00000   Frm 00005   Fmt 4700   Sfmt 4700   E:\FR\FM\08JNR1.SGM     08JNR1


                                           36792             Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 110 / Wednesday, June 8, 2016 / Rules and Regulations

                                           specifies that the catch-up adjustment                  (1) AECA Section 38(e)                                 effective date of this rule, regardless of
                                           amount will in no case exceed 150% of                      The most recent statutory                           whether the violation occurred before
                                           the penalty amount which was in force                   modification of the CMPs provided for                  the effective date, will be assessed at the
                                           at the enactment date of the 2015 Act on                under AECA section 38(e), 22 U.S.C.                    adjusted penalty level.
                                           November 2, 2015; therefore, the total                  2778(e), occurred in 1985 when the                     Future Adjustments and Reporting
                                           revised penalty amount will not exceed                  maximum penalty amount was capped
                                           250% of the total maximum penalty                                                                                 The 2015 Act directs agencies to
                                                                                                   at $500,000 per violation. According to
                                           amount on November 2, 2015.                                                                                    undertake an annual review of CMPs
                                                                                                   OMB guidance, the multiplier for AECA
                                                                                                                                                          using a formula prescribed by the
                                           Specific Changes to 22 CFR Made by                      section 38(e) is 2.18802; therefore, the
                                                                                                                                                          statute. Hereafter, annual adjustments to
                                           This Rule                                               new maximum penalty will be
                                                                                                                                                          CMPs will be made in accordance with
                                                                                                   $1,094,010 per violation.
                                                                                                                                                          the guidance issued by OMB. The
                                           I. Part 35
                                                                                                   (2) AECA Section 39A(c)                                Department of State will publish
                                             The PFRCA, enacted in 1986,                              The most recent statutory                           notification of annual inflation
                                           authorizes agencies, with approval from                 modification of the CMPs provided for                  adjustments to CMPs in the Federal
                                           the Department of Justice, to pursue                    under AECA section 39A(c), 22 U.S.C.                   Register no later than January 15 of each
                                           individuals or firms for false claims.                  2779a(c), occurred in 1994 when the                    year, with the adjusted amount taking
                                           The maximum liability under the                         maximum penalty amount was capped                      effect immediately upon publication.
                                           PFRCA is $5,000 for each false claim, up                at $500,000 per violation. According to                Furthermore, OMB Circular A–136,
                                           to a maximum of $150,000, in addition                   OMB guidance, the multiplier for AECA                  Financial Reporting Requirements,
                                           to twice the amount of the claim                        section 39A(c) is 1.59089; therefore, the              directs agencies to identify any changes
                                           submitted contrary to the PFRCA.                        new maximum adjusted penalty level                     to CMPs in the Agency Financial Report
                                                                                                   will be $795,445 per violation.                        (AFR), including the affected penalties,
                                             According to OMB guidance, the                                                                               dates and amounts of adjustments, and
                                           multiplier for the PFRCA (a 1986                        (3) AECA Section 40(k)                                 applicable statutes and regulations.
                                           statute) is 2.15628; therefore, the new
                                                                                                      The most recent statutory
                                           maximum penalty for each false claim                                                                           Regulatory Analysis and Notices
                                                                                                   modification of the CMPs provided for
                                           or statement is $10,781, up to a                        under AECA section 40(k), 22 U.S.C.                    Administrative Procedure Act
                                           maximum of $323,442.                                    2780(k), occurred in 1989 when the                       The Department of State is publishing
                                           II. Part 103                                            maximum penalty amount was capped                      this rule using the ‘‘good cause’’
                                                                                                   at $500,000 per violation. According to                exception to the Administrative
                                             The CWC Act provided domestic                         OMB guidance, the multiplier for AECA                  Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553(b)), as the
                                           implementation of the Convention on                     section 40(k) is 1.89361; therefore, the               Department has determined that public
                                           the Prohibition of the Development,                     new maximum adjusted penalty level                     comment on this rulemaking would be
                                           Production, Stockpiling, and Use of                     will be $946,805 per violation.                        impractical, unnecessary, or contrary to
                                           Chemical Weapons and on Their                                                                                  the public interest. This rulemaking is
                                           Destruction. The penalty provisions of                  IV. Part 138
                                                                                                                                                          mandatory; it implements Public Law
                                           the CWC Act are codified at 22 U.S.C.                      Section 319 of Public Law 101–121,
                                                                                                                                                          114–74.
                                           6761. A person violating 22 U.S.C.                      codified at 31 U.S.C. 1352, provides
                                           6761(a)(1)(A), Prohibited acts relating to              penalties for recipients of federal                    Regulatory Flexibility Act
                                           inspections, is subject to a civil penalty              contracts, grants, and loans who use                      Because this rulemaking is exempt
                                           of an amount not to exceed $25,000 for                  appropriated funds to lobby the                        from Section 553 of the Administrative
                                           each such violation. A person violating                 Executive or Legislative Branches of the               Procedures Act, a Regulatory Flexibility
                                           22 U.S.C. 6761(a)(1)(B), Recordkeeping                  federal government in connection with                  Analysis is not required.
                                           violations, is subject to a civil penalty in            a specific contract, grant, or loan. Any
                                           an amount not to exceed $5,000 for each                 person who violates that prohibition is                Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
                                           such violation.                                         subject to a civil penalty of not less than              This rule does not involve a mandate
                                             According to OMB Guidance, the                        $10,000 and not more than $100,000 for                 that will result in the expenditure by
                                           multiplier for the CWC Act (a 1998                      each such expenditure. The statute also                State, local, and tribal governments, in
                                           statute) is 1.45023. Therefore, the new                 requires each person who requests or                   the aggregate, or by the private sector, of
                                           maximum civil monetary penalty for                      receives a federal contract, grant,                    $100 million or more in any year and it
                                           prohibited acts relating to inspections is              cooperative agreement, loan, or a federal              will not significantly or uniquely affect
                                           $36,256 for each violation; and the new                 commitment to insure or guarantee a                    small governments. Therefore, no
                                           maximum civil monetary penalty for                      loan, to disclose any lobbying; the                    actions were deemed necessary under
                                           recordkeeping violations is $7,251 for                  penalty for failure to disclose is not less            the provisions of the Unfunded
                                           each such violation.                                    than $10,000 and not more than                         Mandates Reform Act of 1995.
                                                                                                   $100,000 for each such failure.
                                           III. Part 127                                              According to OMB guidance, the                      Small Business Regulatory Enforcement
                                                                                                   multiplier for 31 U.S.C. 1352 (a 1989                  Fairness Act of 1996
                                             The Assistant Secretary of State for                  statute) is 1.89361. Therefore, the new                  This rule has been found not to be a
                                           Political-Military Affairs is responsible               maximum civil violations under the                     major rule within the meaning of the
                                           for the imposition of CMPs under the                    statute, for both improper expenditures                Small Business Regulatory Enforcement
                                           International Traffic in Arms                           and failure to disclose, are: Not less than            Fairness Act of 1996.
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                                           Regulations (ITAR), which is                            $18,936 and not more than $189,361.
                                           administered by the Directorate of                                                                             Executive Orders 12372 and 13132
                                           Defense Trade Controls (DDTC). Each of                  Effective Date of Penalties                              This rulemaking does not have
                                           the penalty provisions of the AECA                         The revised CMP amounts will go into                sufficient federalism implications to
                                           provides that the CMP for each relevant                 effect on August 1, 2016. All violations               require consultations or warrant the
                                           violation may not exceed $500,000.                      for which CMPs are assessed after the                  preparation of a federalism summary


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                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 110 / Wednesday, June 8, 2016 / Rules and Regulations                                                36793

                                           impact statement. The regulations                       PART 35—PROGRAM FRAUD CIVIL                               (2) The civil penalty may be either in
                                           implementing Executive Order 12372                      REMEDIES                                               addition to, or in lieu of, any other
                                           regarding intergovernmental                                                                                    liability or penalty which may be
                                           consultation on federal programs and                    ■ 1. The authority citation for part 35 is             imposed.
                                           activities do not apply to this                         revised to read as follows:                            *      *     *    *     *
                                           rulemaking.                                                Authority: 22 U.S.C. 2651a; 31 U.S.C. 3801
                                                                                                   et seq.; Pub. L. 114–74, 129 Stat. 584.                PART 138—NEW RESTRICTIONS ON
                                           Executive Orders 12866 and 13563
                                                                                                                                                          LOBBYING
                                             The Department believes that benefits                 ■ 2. In § 35.3:
                                                                                                   ■ a. Remove ‘‘$5,000’’ and add in its                  ■  7. The authority citation for part 138
                                           of the rulemaking outweigh any costs,
                                                                                                   place ‘‘$10,781’’, wherever it occurs.                 is revised to read as follows:
                                           and there are no feasible alternatives to
                                                                                                   ■ b. Add paragraph (f) to read as                        Authority: 22 U.S.C. 2651a; 31 U.S.C.
                                           this rulemaking. It is the Department’s
                                                                                                   follows:                                               1352; Pub. L. 114–74, 129 Stat. 584.
                                           position that this rulemaking is not an
                                           economically significant rule under the                 § 35.3 Basis for civil penalties and                   § 138.400   [Amended]
                                           criteria of Executive Order 12866, and is               assessments.
                                           consistent with the provisions of                                                                              ■  8. Amend § 138.400 by removing
                                                                                                   *      *    *     *   *                                ‘‘$10,000’’ and ‘‘$100,000’’, and adding
                                           Executive Order 13563.                                     (f) The maximum penalty for each                    in their place ‘‘$18,936’’ and ‘‘$189,361’’
                                           Executive Order 12988                                   false claim or statement is $10,781, up                respectively, wherever they occur.
                                                                                                   to a maximum of $323,442.
                                             The Department of State has reviewed                                                                           Dated: June 1, 2016.
                                           the proposed amendment in light of                      PART 103—REGULATIONS FOR                               Lisa Aguirre,
                                           Executive Order 12988 to eliminate                      IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CHEMICAL                         Managing Director, Directorate of Defense
                                           ambiguity, minimize litigation, establish               WEAPONS CONVENTION AND THE                             Trade Controls Department of State.
                                           clear legal standards, and reduce                       CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION                            [FR Doc. 2016–13455 Filed 6–7–16; 8:45 am]
                                           burden.                                                 IMPLEMENTATION ACT OF 1998 ON                          BILLING CODE 4710–25–P
                                                                                                   THE TAKING OF SAMPLES AND ON
                                           Executive Order 13175                                   ENFORCEMENT OF REQUIREMENTS
                                             The Department of State has                           CONCERNING RECORDKEEPING AND                           DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
                                           determined that this rulemaking will                    INSPECTIONS
                                           not have tribal implications, will not                                                                         Internal Revenue Service
                                                                                                   ■  3. The authority citation for part 103
                                           impose substantial direct compliance                    is revised to read as follows:
                                           costs on Indian tribal governments, and                                                                        26 CFR Part 1
                                           will not preempt tribal law.                               Authority: 22 U.S.C. 2651a; 22 U.S.C. 6701
                                                                                                                                                          [TD 9770]
                                                                                                   et seq.; Pub. L. 114–74, 129 Stat. 584.
                                           Accordingly, Executive Order 13175
                                                                                                                                                          RIN 1545–BN39
                                           does not apply to this rulemaking.                      § 103.6    [Amended]
                                           Paperwork Reduction Act                                 ■  4. Amend § 103.6 to remove                          Certain Transfers of Property to
                                                                                                   ‘‘$25,000’’ and add in its place                       Regulated Investment Companies
                                             This rulemaking does not impose or                    ‘‘$36,256’’ in paragraph (a)(1), and to                [RICs] and Real Estate Investment
                                           revise any information collections                      remove ‘‘$5,000’’, and add in its place                Trusts [REITs]; Final and Temporary
                                           subject to 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35.                        $7,251’’ in paragraph (a)(2).                          Regulations
                                           List of Subjects                                                                                               AGENCY:  Internal Revenue Service (IRS),
                                                                                                   PART 127—VIOLATIONS AND
                                           22 CFR Part 35                                                                                                 Treasury.
                                                                                                   PENALTIES
                                                                                                                                                          ACTION: Final and temporary
                                             Administrative practice and                           ■  5. The authority citation for part 127              regulations.
                                           procedure, Claims, Fraud, Penalties.                    is revised to read as follows:
                                                                                                                                                          SUMMARY:    This document contains final
                                           22 CFR Part 103                                           Authority: Sections 2, 38, and 42, Pub. L.           and temporary regulations effecting the
                                                                                                   90–629, 90 Stat. 744 (22 U.S.C. 2752, 2778,            repeal of the General Utilities doctrine
                                             Administrative practice and                           2791); 22 U.S.C. 401; 22 U.S.C. 2651a; 22
                                           procedure, Chemicals, Classified                                                                               by the Tax Reform Act of 1986 and
                                                                                                   U.S.C. 2779a; 22 U.S.C. 2780; E.O. 13637, 78
                                           information, Foreign relations, Freedom                 FR 16129; Pub. L. 114–74, 129 Stat. 584.               preventing abuse of the Protecting
                                           of information, International                                                                                  Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015.
                                                                                                   ■ 6. Section 127.10 is amended by
                                           organization, Investigations, Penalties,                                                                       The temporary regulations impose
                                                                                                   revising paragraph (a) to read as follows:
                                           Reporting and recordkeeping                                                                                    corporate level tax on certain
                                           requirements.                                           § 127.10    Civil penalty.                             transactions in which property of a C
                                                                                                     (a)(1) The Assistant Secretary of State              corporation becomes the property of a
                                           22 CFR Part 127                                         for Political-Military Affairs is                      REIT. The temporary regulations affect
                                                                                                   authorized to impose a civil penalty, as               RICs, REITs, C corporations the property
                                              Arms and munitions, Exports.
                                                                                                   follows:                                               of which becomes the property of a RIC
                                           22 CFR Part 138                                           (i) For each violation of 22 U.S.C.                  or a REIT, and their shareholders. The
                                                                                                   2778, an amount not to exceed                          text of these temporary regulations also
                                             Government contracts, Grant                                                                                  serves as the text of part of the proposed
                                                                                                   $1,094,010;
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                                           programs, Loan programs, Lobbying,                                                                             regulations in the related notice of
                                                                                                     (ii) For each violation of 22 U.S.C.
                                           Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping                                                                         proposed rulemaking (REG–126452–15)
                                                                                                   2779a, an amount not to exceed
                                           requirements.                                                                                                  set forth in the Proposed Rules section
                                                                                                   $795,445; and
                                             For the reasons set forth above, 22                     (iii) For each violation of 22 U.S.C.                in this issue of the Federal Register.
                                           CFR parts 127, 35, 103, and 138 are                     2780, an amount not to exceed                          DATES: These regulations are effective
                                           amended as follows:                                     $946,805.                                              June 7, 2016.


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Document Created: 2016-06-08 03:10:09
Document Modified: 2016-06-08 03:10:09
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionFinal rule.
DatesThis final rule is effective August 1, 2016.
ContactAlice Kottmyer, Attorney-Adviser, Office of Management, [email protected] ATTN: Regulatory Change, CMP Adjustments, (202) 647-2318.
FR Citation81 FR 36791 
RIN Number1400-AD94
CFR Citation22 CFR 103
22 CFR 127
22 CFR 138
22 CFR 35
CFR AssociatedChemicals; Classified Information; Foreign Relations; Freedom of Information; International Organization; Investigations; Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements; Arms and Munitions; Exports; Government Contracts; Grant Programs; Loan Programs; Lobbying; Administrative Practice and Procedure; Claims; Fraud and Penalties

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