# 49 CFR § 209.117: Presiding officer's decision

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-209.117

## Section

- **Citation:** 49 CFR § 209.117
- **Heading:** Presiding officer's decision
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** September 22, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 49—Transportation > Subtitle B—Other Regulations Relating to Transportation > CHAPTER II—FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION > PART 209—RAILROAD SAFETY ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES > Subpart B—Hazardous Materials Penalties > Civil Penalties

## Text

(a) After consideration of the evidence of record, the presiding officer may dismiss the notice of probable violation in whole or in part. If the presiding officer does not dismiss it in whole, he or she will issue and serve on the respondent an order assessing a civil penalty. The decision of the presiding officer will include a statement of findings and conclusions as well as the reasons therefor on all material issues of fact, law, and discretion.
(b) If, within twenty (20) days after service of an order assessing a civil penalty, the respondent does not pay the civil penalty or file an appeal as provided in § 209.121, the case may be referred to the Attorney General with a request that an action to collect the penalty be brought in the appropriate United States District Court.

## Nearby sections

- [49 CFR § 209.101 § 209.101 Civil penalties generally.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-209.101.md)
- [49 CFR § 209.103 § 209.103 Minimum and maximum penalties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-209.103.md)
- [49 CFR § 209.105 § 209.105 Notice of probable violation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-209.105.md)
- [49 CFR § 209.107 § 209.107 Reply.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-209.107.md)
- [49 CFR § 209.109 § 209.109 Payment of penalty; compromise.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-209.109.md)
- [49 CFR § 209.111 § 209.111 Informal response and assessment.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-209.111.md)
- [49 CFR § 209.113 § 209.113 Request for hearing.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-209.113.md)
- [49 CFR § 209.115 § 209.115 Hearing.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-209.115.md)
- [49 CFR § 209.117 § 209.117 Presiding officer's decision.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-209.117.md)
- [49 CFR § 209.119 § 209.119 Assessment considerations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-209.119.md)
- [49 CFR § 209.121 § 209.121 Appeal.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-209.121.md)
- [49 CFR § 209.131 § 209.131 Criminal penalties generally.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-209.131.md)
- [49 CFR § 209.133 § 209.133 Referral for prosecution.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-209.133.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-209.117. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.