Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 108 Part 2.djvu/517

 PUBLIC LAW 103-272—JULY 5, 1994 108 STAT. 1233 subsection to the National Transportation Safety Board. After notice and an opportunity for a hearing on the record, the Board shall affirm, modify, or reverse the order. The Board may modify a civil penalty imposed to a suspension or revocation of a certificate. (C) When conducting a hearing under this paragraph, the Board is not bound by findings of fact of the Administrator but is bound by all validly adopted interpretations of laws and regulations the Administrator carries out and of written agency policy guidance available to the public related to sanctions to be imposed under this section unless the Board finds an interpretation is arbitrary, capricious, or otherwise not according to law. (D) When an individual files an appeal with the Board under this paragraph, the order of the Administrator is stayed. (6) An individual substantially affected by an order of the Board under paragraph (5) of this subsection, or the Administrator when the Administrator decides that an order of the Board under paragraph (5) will have a significant adverse impact on carrying out this part, may obtain judicial review of the order under section 46110 of this title. The Administrator shall be made a party to the judicial review proceedings. Findings of fact of the Board are conclusive if supported by substantial evidence. (7)(A) The Administrator may impose a penalty on an individual (except an individual acting as a pilot, flight engineer, mechanic, or repairman) only after notice and an opportunity for a hearing on the record. (B) In an appeal from a decision of an administrative law judge as the result of a hearing under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the Administrator shall consider only whether— (i) each finding of fact is supported by a preponderance of reliable, probative, and substantial evidence; (ii) each conclusion of law is made according to applicable law, precedent, and public policy; and (iii) the judge committed a prejudicial error that supports the appeal. (C) Except for good cause, a civil action involving a penalty under this paragraph may not be initiated later than 2 years after the violation occurs. (8) The maximum civil penalty the Administrator or Board may impose under this subsection is $50,000. (9) This subsection applies only to a violation occurring after August 25, 1992. (e) PENALTY CONSIDERATIONS.— In determining the amount of a civil penalty under subsection (a)(3) of this section related to transportation of hazardous material, the Secretary shall consider— (1) the nature, circumstances, extent, and gravity of the violation; (2) with respect to the violator, the degree of culpability, any history of prior violations, the ability to pay, and any effect on the ability to continue doing business; and (3) other matters that justice requires. (f) COMPROMISE AND SETOFF.— (1)(A) The Secretary may compromise the amount of a civil penalty imposed for violating— (i) chapter 401 (except sections 40103(a) and (d), 40105, 40116, and 40117), chapter 441 (except section 44109), or section 44701(a) or (b), 44702-44716, 44901, 44903(b) or (c), 44905, 44906, 44907(d)(1)(B), 44912-44915, or 44932-44938 of this title; or

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