# 49 C.F.R. § 271.9 (2026): Penalties and responsibility for compliance

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P271_S271_9

## Section

- **Citation:** 49 C.F.R. § 271.9 (2026)
- **Heading:** Penalties and responsibility for compliance
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Title 49 CFR: Transportation / Chapter II: FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION / Part 271: RISK REDUCTION PROGRAM / Subpart A: General / § 271.9: § 271.9   Penalties and responsibility for compliance.

## Text

(a) Any person that violates any requirement of this part or causes the violation of any such requirement is subject to a civil penalty of at least the minimum civil monetary penalty and not more than the ordinary maximum civil monetary penalty per violation, except that: Penalties may be assessed against individuals only for willful violations, and, where a grossly negligent violation or a pattern of repeated violations has created an imminent hazard of death or injury to individuals, or has caused death or injury, a penalty not to exceed the aggravated maximum civil monetary penalty per violation may be assessed.
See
49 CFR part 209, appendix A. Each day a violation continues shall constitute a separate offense. Any person that knowingly and willfully falsifies a record or report required by this part may be subject to criminal penalties under 49 U.S.C. 21311. See FRA's website at
https://railroads.dot.gov/
for a statement of agency civil penalty policy.
(b) Although the requirements of this part are stated in terms of the duty of a railroad, when any person, including a contractor or subcontractor to a railroad, performs any function covered by this part, that person (whether or not a railroad) shall perform that function in accordance with this part.
[85 FR 9314, Feb. 18, 2020, as amended at 90 FR 28200, July 1, 2025]

## Nearby sections

- [49 C.F.R. § 271.1 (2026) § 271.1   Purpose and scope.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P271_S271_1.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 271.3 (2026) § 271.3   Application.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P271_S271_3.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 271.5 (2026) § 271.5   Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P271_S271_5.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 271.9 (2026) § 271.9   Penalties and responsibility for compliance.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P271_S271_9.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 271.11 (2026) § 271.11   Discovery and admission as evidence of certain information.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P271_S271_11.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 271.13 (2026) § 271.13   Determination of inadequate safety performance.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P271_S271_13.md)
- [49 C.F.R. § 271.15 (2026) § 271.15   Voluntary compliance.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P271_S271_15.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T49_P271_S271_9. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.