6 U.S.C. § 1144 — Limitation on fines and civil penalties

(a) Inspectors. Surface-transportation inspectors may not issue fines to public transportation agencies for violating Department regulations or orders except through subsection (b). (b) Civil penalties. The Secretary may not assess civil penalties against a public transportation agency for violating Department regulations or orders except as follows: (1) The Secretary must seek correction through written notice and give the agency a reasonable opportunity to correct the violation or propose an alternative compliance method acceptable to the Secretary. (2) If the agency does neither within the reasonable period stated in the notice, the Secretary may take an action authorized by 49 U.S.C. § 114. (c) Limitation on Secretary. The Secretary may not start a civil enforcement action for violations of administrative or procedural requirements concerning applications for or spending of funds awarded through transportation-security grant programs under this subchapter.