(1)A person may not fail to comply with a regulation prescribed or order issued by the Secretary of Transportation under chapter
201 of this title. Subject to section
21304 of this title, a person violating a regulation prescribed or order issued by the Secretary under chapter 201 is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty. The Secretary shall impose the penalty applicable under paragraph (2) of this subsection. A separate violation occurs for each day the violation continues.
(2)The Secretary shall include in, or make applicable to, each regulation prescribed and order issued under chapter
201 of this title a civil penalty for a violation. The amount of the penalty shall be at least $500 but not more than $10,000. However, when a grossly negligent violation or a pattern of repeated violations has caused an imminent hazard of death or injury to individuals, or has caused death or injury, the amount may be not more than $20,000.
(3)The Secretary may compromise the amount of a civil penalty imposed under this subsection to not less than $500 before referring the matter to the Attorney General for collection. In determining the amount of a compromise, the Secretary shall consider—
(A)the nature, circumstances, extent, and gravity of the violation;
(B)with respect to the violator, the degree of culpability, any history of violations, the ability to pay, and any effect on the ability to continue to do business; and
(C)other matters that justice requires.
(b) Setoff.— The Government may deduct the amount of a civil penalty imposed or compromised under this section from amounts it owes the person liable for the penalty.
(c) Deposit in Treasury.— A civil penalty collected under this section or section
20113(b) of this title shall be deposited in the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts.