Search Results for keywords:"Consumer Price Index"

The U.S. Department of Labor issued a final rule to adjust civil monetary penalties for inflation, as required by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act. This rule, effective January 15, 2025, ensures that penalties keep up with inflation, applying a cost-of-living adjustment multiplier based on changes in the Consumer Price Index. The adjustments apply to penalties assessed after the effective date, maintaining the penalties' deterrent effect. This regulation does not consider public comments due to the non-discretionary nature of the inflation adjustments mandated by the Act.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) published a notice to adjust civil monetary penalties for inflation as required by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015. These adjustments apply to penalties under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, the Investment Company Act, and part of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The new amounts were calculated using a percentage change between the Consumer Price Index for October 2023 and October 2024 and will be effective from January 15, 2025. This update ensures penalties keep pace with inflation and remain effective deterrents.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is releasing a final rule to update regulations on the maximum civil monetary penalties for breaking laws under its control. This change is in line with the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015, which requires annual inflation adjustments. The rule outlines how to calculate the new adjusted penalties, which will take effect immediately upon publication in the Federal Register. The Commission asserts that public notice and comment were not needed due to legal obligations dictating both the method and amount of these adjustments.

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has announced new civil monetary penalties for 2025, reflecting inflation adjustments in compliance with federal law. From January 15, 2025, to January 14, 2026, the fines for violating NEH’s lobbying restrictions will range from $25,132 to $251,322, while penalties for program fraud will have a maximum of $14,308. These adjustments factor in a 2.598% increase in the Consumer Price Index from October 2023 to October 2024. All updated penalties apply to violations occurring after November 2, 2015.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has issued a final rule to adjust maximum civil monetary penalties for inflation for the year 2021 as mandated by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015. These adjustments apply to penalties for false loan guaranty certifications and fraudulent claims related to VA programs. The rule, which became effective on February 2, 2021, specifies increased penalty amounts based on changes in the Consumer Price Index. The VA has complied with requirements and regulations, finding no need for public comment or impact on small entities.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued a notice about the updated dollar limits for retail stores selling meat and poultry products to hotels, restaurants, and similar institutions without requiring federal inspection. For 2025, the limits have been raised to $103,600 for meat and meat products and $74,800 for poultry products. These adjustments are based on changes in consumer prices reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The limits ensure that such retail operations remain exempt from federal inspection while selling to non-household consumers.

The Federal Election Commission is updating the financial penalties they impose to keep up with inflation, as required by law. This affects fines under several election-related acts, including penalties for late or missing reports. The adjustments are calculated using a specific formula linked to the Consumer Price Index and will be applied to fines assessed from January 3, 2025. The Commission does not need to follow usual procedural requirements because these updates are mandated by Congress with no room for policy changes.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has issued a final rule to adjust civil monetary penalties for onshore oil and gas operations and coal trespass due to inflation. This update, effective January 17, 2025, follows the requirements of the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015. The rule does not allow for public comment due to its non-discretionary nature, and it outlines increases in specific monetary penalties to maintain their deterrent effect. The adjustments are calculated using a multiplier based on the change in the Consumer Price Index from October 2023 to October 2024.

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) has updated the amounts for civil monetary penalties to adjust for inflation, as required by law. These adjustments are for penalties related to violations of the Federal Election Campaign Act and other related laws. The new penalty amounts, which are calculated using a specified formula, apply to assessments made after January 11, 2021. The adjustments ensure that penalties retain their deterrent effect over time, reflecting changes in the consumer price index.

The Surface Transportation Board has issued a final rule to adjust civil monetary penalties for inflation, as mandated by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015. This rule is effective from January 14, 2021, and the adjustments are based on changes in the Consumer Price Index. The decision to implement this without a public comment period is due to the lack of discretion allowed by Congress in setting penalty levels, which are determined by a statutory formula. The rule does not impose any new information collection requirements.