# 49 CFR § 271.9: Penalties and responsibility for compliance

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.9

## Section

- **Citation:** 49 CFR § 271.9
- **Heading:** Penalties and responsibility for compliance
- **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 271—RISK REDUCTION PROGRAM > Subpart A—General

## 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 CFR § 271.1 § 271.1 Purpose and scope.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.1.md)
- [49 CFR § 271.3 § 271.3 Application.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.3.md)
- [49 CFR § 271.5 § 271.5 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.5.md)
- [49 CFR § 271.9 § 271.9 Penalties and responsibility for compliance.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.9.md)
- [49 CFR § 271.11 § 271.11 Discovery and admission as evidence of certain information.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.11.md)
- [49 CFR § 271.13 § 271.13 Determination of inadequate safety performance.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.13.md)
- [49 CFR § 271.15 § 271.15 Voluntary compliance.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.15.md)
- [49 CFR § 271.101 § 271.101 Risk reduction programs.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.101.md)
- [49 CFR § 271.103 § 271.103 Risk-based hazard management program.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.103.md)
- [49 CFR § 271.105 § 271.105 Safety performance evaluation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.105.md)
- [49 CFR § 271.107 § 271.107 Safety outreach.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.107.md)
- [49 CFR § 271.109 § 271.109 Technology analysis and technology implementation plan.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.109.md)
- [49 CFR § 271.111 § 271.111 Implementation and support training.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.111.md)
- [49 CFR § 271.113 § 271.113 Involvement of railroad employees.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.113.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-271.9. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.