---
kind: "section"
citation: "6 U.S.C. § 1144"
title: "6"
title_heading: "Domestic Security"
number: "1144"
heading: "Limitation on fines and civil penalties"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/6/1144"
units:
  - "Chapter 4 — Transportation Security"
  - "Subchapter III — Public Transportation Security"
---

# §1144. Limitation on fines and civil penalties

- (a) **Inspectors—** Surface transportation inspectors shall be prohibited from issuing fines to [public transportation agencies](/usc/6/1131.md?p=5) for violations of the [Department](/usc/6/1101.md?p=1)’s regulations or orders except through the process described in [subsection (b)](#b).
- (b) **Civil penalties—** The [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2) shall be prohibited from assessing civil penalties against [public transportation agencies](/usc/6/1131.md?p=5) for violations of the [Department](/usc/6/1101.md?p=1)’s regulations or orders, except in accordance with the following:
  - (1) In the case of a [public transportation agency](/usc/6/1131.md?p=5) that is found to be in violation of a regulation or order issued by the [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2), the [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2) shall seek correction of the violation through a written notice to the [public transportation agency](/usc/6/1131.md?p=5) and shall give the [public transportation agency](/usc/6/1131.md?p=5) reasonable opportunity to correct the violation or propose an alternative means of compliance acceptable to the [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2).
  - (2) If the [public transportation agency](/usc/6/1131.md?p=5) does not correct the violation or propose an alternative means of compliance acceptable to the [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2) within a reasonable time period that is specified in the written notice, the [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2) may take any action authorized in [section 114 of title 49](/usc/49/114.md).
- (c) **Limitation on Secretary—** The [Secretary](/usc/6/1101.md?p=2) shall not initiate civil enforcement actions for violations of administrative and procedural requirements pertaining to the application for and expenditure of [funds](/usc/6/677a.md?p=5) awarded under transportation security grant programs under this subchapter.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 110–53, title XIV, § 1415, Aug. 3, 2007, 121 Stat. 422.)