2162
PUBLIC LAW 93-633-JAN. 3, 1975
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[88 STAT.
(1) by inserting, in the first sentence of paragraph (14) thereof, "criminal" before the word "penalty" and "or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both" before the phrase "for each violation"; and (2) by adding at the end thereof the following new paragraph: " (17)(A) Any person (except an employee who acts without knowledge) who is determined by the Secretary, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing, to have knowingly committed an act which is a violation of any provision of this section, or of any regulation issued under this section, shall be liable to the United States for a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 for each day of each violation. The amount of such civil penalty shall be assessed by the Secretary by written notice. In determining the amount of such penalty, the Secretary shall take into account the nature, circumstances, extent, and gravity of the violation committed and, with respect to the person found to have committed such violation, the degree of culpability, any history of prior offenses, ability to pay, effect on ability to continue to do business, and such other matters as justice may require. " (B) Such civil penalty may be recovered in an action brought by the Attorney General on behalf of the United States, in the appropriate district court of the United States or-, prior to referral to the Attorney General, such civil penalty may be compromised by the Secretary. The amount of such penalty, when finally determined (or agreed upon in compromise), may be deducted from any sums owed by the Imited States to the ]:erson charged. All penalties collected under this subsection shall be deposited in the Treasury of the United States as miscellaneous receipts.". (b) Section 901(a)(1) of the Federal Aviation Act of 1058 (49 U.S.C. 1471(a)(1)) is amended— (1) by inserting immediately before the period at the end of the first sentence thereof and inserting in lieu thereof: ", except that the amount of such civil penalty shall not exceed $10,000 for each such violation which relates to the transportation of hazardous materials."; and (2) by deleting in the second sentence thereof ": Provided, That this" and inserting in lieu ther-eof the following: ". The amount of any such civil penalty which relates to the transportation of hazardous materials shall be assessed by the Secretary, or his delegate, upon written notice upon a finding of violation by the Secretary, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing. In determining the amount of such penalty, the Secretary shall take into account the nature, circumstances, extent, and gravity of the violation committed and, with respect to the person found to have committed such violation, the degree of culpability, any history of prior offenses, ability to pay, effect on ability to continue to do business, and such other matters as justice may require. This". (c) Section 902(h) of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, as amended (49 U.S.C. 1472(h)) is amended to read as follows: "HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Ante,
p. 2157.
Penalty.
" (h)(1) In carrying out his responsibilities under this Act, the Secretary of Transportation may exercise the authority vested in him by section 105 of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act to provide by regulation for the safe transportation of hazardous materials by air. «^2) A persou is guilty of an offense if he willfully delivers or causes to be delivered to an air carrier or to the operator of a civil aircraft for transportation in air commerce, or if he recklessly causes the transportation in air commerce of, any shipment, baggage, or other
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