United States Coast Guard:

Implementation of the Inflation Adjustment Act

GAO-03-221R, Nov 1, 2002

Additional Materials:

Contact:

J. Christopher Mihm
(202) 512-6082
contact@gao.gov

 

Office of Public Affairs
(202) 512-4800
youngc1@gao.gov

Earlier this year, GAO began a governmentwide review of the implementation of the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990. The act requires each federal agency to issue a regulation adjusting its covered maximum and minimum civil monetary penalties for inflation by October 23, 1996, and requires them to make necessary adjustments at least once every 4 years thereafter. During the review, GAO determined that the United States Coast Guard published its first round of penalty adjustments in 1997, but has not published a second round of adjustment for 56 eligible penalties.

Status Legend:

More Info
  • Review Pending-GAO has not yet assessed implementation status.
  • Open-Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned, or actions that partially satisfy the intent of the recommendation have been taken.
  • Closed-implemented-Actions that satisfy the intent of the recommendation have been taken.
  • Closed-not implemented-While the intent of the recommendation has not been satisfied, time or circumstances have rendered the recommendation invalid.
    • Review Pending
    • Open
    • Closed - implemented
    • Closed - not implemented

    Recommendation for Executive Action

    Recommendation: The Secretary of Transportation should direct the Commandant of the Coast Guard to initiate a regulatory action as soon as possible to adjust eligible civil penalties in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Inflation Adjustment Act.

    Agency Affected: Department of Transportation

    Status: Closed - Implemented

    Comments: On December 23, 2003 (68 FR 74189), the Coast Guard published a final rule adjusting its fines and other civil penalties for inflation in accordance with the Inflation Adjustment Act. The final rule indicated that the agency's method of calculation took into account GAO's November 2002 report and subsequent discussions with GAO.