Civil penalties and awards

42 U.S. Code § 9609. Civil penalties and awards

(a) Class I administrative penalty
(1) ViolationsA civil penalty of not more than $25,000 per violation may be assessed by the President in the case of any of the following—
(A)
A violation of the requirements of section 9603(a) or (b) of this title (relating to notice).
(B)
A violation of the requirements of section 9603(d)(2) of this title (relating to destruction of records, etc.).
(C)
A violation of the requirements of section 9608 of this title (relating to financial responsibility, etc.), the regulations issued under section 9608 of this title, or with any denial or detention order under section 9608 of this title.
(D)
A violation of an order under section 9622(d)(3) of this title (relating to settlement agreements for action under section 9604(b) of this title).
(E)
Any failure or refusal referred to in section 9622(l) of this title (relating to violations of administrative orders, consent decrees, or agreements under section 9620 of this title).
(2) Notice and hearings
No civil penalty may be assessed under this subsection unless the person accused of the violation is given notice and opportunity for a hearing with respect to the violation.
(3) Determining amount
In determining the amount of any penalty assessed pursuant to this subsection, the President shall take into account the nature, circumstances, extent and gravity of the violation or violations and, with respect to the violator, ability to pay, any prior history of such violations, the degree of culpability, economic benefit or savings (if any) resulting from the violation, and such other matters as justice may require.
(4) Review
Any person against whom a civil penalty is assessed under this subsection may obtain review thereof in the appropriate district court of the United States by filing a notice of appeal in such court within 30 days from the date of such order and by simultaneously sending a copy of such notice by certified mail to the President. The President shall promptly file in such court a certified copy of the record upon which such violation was found or such penalty imposed. If any person fails to pay an assessment of a civil penalty after it has become a final and unappealable order or after the appropriate court has entered final judgment in favor of the United States, the President may request the Attorney General of the United States to institute a civil action in an appropriate district court of the United States to collect the penalty, and such court shall have jurisdiction to hear and decide any such action. In hearing such action, the court shall have authority to review the violation and the assessment of the civil penalty on the record.
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