*Pages 1--1 from Microsoft Word - 39291* NEWS News Media Information 202 / 418- 0500 TTY 202 / 418- 2555 Fax- On- Demand 202 / 418- 2830 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov ftp. fcc. gov Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th Street, S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F. 2d 385 (D. C. Cir. 1974). FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: June 18, 2004 Janice Wise (202) 418- 7450 Janice. Wise@ fcc. gov FCC ADJUSTS MAXIMUM FORFEITURE PENALTIES TO REFLECT INFLATION Washington, D. C.— The Federal Communications Commission has amended Section 1.80( b) of its Rules to increase the maximum monetary forfeiture penalties available to it. This action implements the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996, 28 U. S. C. § 2461, which requires federal agencies to adjust maximum statutory civil monetary penalties at least once every four years to reflect inflation. The amendment of Section 1.80( b) will be effective 30 days after publication in the Federal Register and will apply to violations that occur after the effective date. The new maximum amounts will be as follows: (1) for broadcasters and cable operators -- $32, 500 per violation or per day of a continuing violation with the amount for a continuing violation not to exceed $325, 000; (2) for common carriers -- $130, 000 per violation or per day of a continuing violation with the amount for a continuing violation not to exceed $1.325 million; and (3) for others -- $11,000 per violation or per day of a continuing violation with the amount for a continuing violation not to exceed $97,500. The Commission’s action does not affect the base forfeiture amounts specified in Section 1.80( b)( 4) of the Rules. Action by the Commission, June 14, 2004, Order (FCC 04- 139). Chairman Powell, Commissioners Abernathy, Copps, Martin, and Adelstein. - FCC - Enforcement Bureau Contacts: Janice Wise at (202) 418- 7450 and Kathy Berthot at (202) 418- 7454. 1