Search Results for keywords:"Consumer Price Index"

The Railroad Retirement Board announced the 2025 annual adjustments to civil monetary penalties due to inflation, as required by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015. The adjustments are based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) increase of 1.02598% from October 2023 to October 2024. As a result, the maximum penalty under the Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act is now $14,308, while the penalties under the False Claims Act range from $14,308 to $28,618. These changes take effect on January 13, 2025.

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 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced new reimbursement rates for meals provided under the Summer Food Service Program for 2025. These rates have been adjusted to account for inflation, resulting in an average increase of 3.6% from the previous year. The adjustments are based on changes in the Consumer Price Index and will apply to both operating and administrative costs of the program, which will take effect from January 1, 2025. The changes aim to simplify accounting procedures and ensure sponsors can manage reimbursements efficiently while maintaining nutrition standards.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration granted an exemption allowing the Associated General Contractors of America, San Diego Chapter, Inc. to lease its training facility to its Apprenticeship and Training Fund under specific conditions. The agreement ensures the Plan pays fair market rent, verified by an independent fiduciary, and that the lease benefits participants by providing effective training facilities. The fiduciary also monitors compliance with the lease terms and any rent increases must adhere to changes in the Consumer Price Index. This exemption is designed to avoid conflicts with ERISA's prohibited transaction rules.

The NCUA Board has finalized a rule to adjust the maximum amounts of civil monetary penalties (CMPs) it can impose, based on inflation, as mandated by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act. These adjustments, which must be made annually, are calculated by comparing the consumer price index for previous years. The new rule takes effect immediately upon publication and applies to penalties assessed for violations from November 2, 2015, onward. The adjustments are largely technical and do not require public notice or comment.

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.