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(continued) ing against the excessive demand, unless the party has committed a willful violation of law or otherwise acted in bad faith, or special circumstances make an award unjust.

(f) Allowable fees and expenses. (1) Awards will be based on rates customarily charged by the persons engaged in the business of acting as attorneys, agents and expert witnesses, even if the services were made available without charge or at a reduced rate to the applicant.

(2) No award for the fee of an attorney or agent under this subpart may exceed $125 per hour. No award to compensate an expert witness may exceed the highest rate at which the Commission pays expert witnesses. However, an award may also include the reasonable expenses of the attorney, agent, or witness as a separate item, if the attorney, agent or witness ordinarily charges clients separately for such expenses.

(3) In determining the reasonableness of the fee sought for an attorney, agent or expert witness, the adjudicative officer shall consider the following:

(i) If the attorney, agent or witness is in private practice, his or her customary fees for similar services, or, if an employee of the applicant, the fully allocated costs of the services;

(ii) The prevailing rate for similar services in the community in which the attorney, agent or witness ordinarily performs services;

(iii) The time actually spent in the representation of the applicant;

(iv) The time reasonably spent in light of the difficulty or complexity of the issues in the proceeding; and

(v) Such other factors as may bear on the value of the services provided.

(4) The reasonable cost of any study, analysis, engineering report, test project or similar matter prepared on behalf of a party may be awarded, to the extent that the charge for the services does not exceed the prevailing rate for similar services, and the study or other matter was necessary for preparation of applicant's case.

(g) Awards against other agencies. If an applicant is entitled to an award because it prevails over another agency of the United States that participates in a proceeding before the Commission and takes a position that is not substantially justified, the award or an appropriate portion of the award shall be made against that agency. [Rule 501.]

[52 FR 28264, July 29, 1987, as amended at 64 FR 7812, Feb. 17, 1999]

§ 502.502 Information required from applicants.
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(a) Contents of petition. (1) An application for an award of fees and expenses under EAJA shall be by petition under §502.69 of this part, shall clearly indicate that the application is made under EAJA, and shall identify the applicant and the proceeding (including docket number) for which an award is sought. The application shall show that the applicant has prevailed and identify the position of an agency or agencies that the applicant alleges was not substantially justified. Unless the applicant is an individual, the application shall also state the number of employees of the applicant and describe briefly the type and purpose of its organization or business.

(2) The petition shall also include a statement that the applicant's net worth does not exceed $2 million (if an individual) or $7 million (for all other applicants, including their affiliates). However, an applicant may omit this statement if:

(i) It attaches a copy of a ruling by the Internal Revenue Service that it qualifies as an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3)) or, in the case of a tax-exempt organization not required to obtain a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service on its exempt status, a statement that describes the basis for the applicant's belief that it qualifies under such section; or

(ii) It states that it is a cooperative association as defined in section 15(a) of the Agricultural Marketing Act (12 U.S.C. 1141j(a)).

(3) The petition shall state the amount of fees and expenses for which an award is sought.

(4) The petition may also include any other matters that the applicant wishes the Commission to consider in determining whether and in what amount an award should be made.

(5) The petition shall be signed by the applicant or an authorized officer or attorney of the applicant. It shall also contain or be accompanied by a written verification under oath or under penalty of perjury that the information provided in the application is true and correct.

(b) Net worth exhibit. (1) Each applicant except a qualified tax-exempt organization or cooperative association must provide with its petition a detailed exhibit showing the net worth of the applicant and any affiliates (as defined in §502.501(d)(6) of this subpart) when the proceeding was initiated. The exhibit may be in any form convenient to the applicant that provides full disclosure of the applicant's and its affiliates' assets and liabilities and is sufficient to determine whether the applicant qualifies under the standards in this subpart. The adjudicative officer may require an applicant to file additional information to determine its eligibility for an award.

(2) Ordinarily, the net worth exhibit will be included in the public record of the proceeding. However, an applicant that objects to public disclosure of information in any portion of the exhibit and believes there are legal grounds for withholding it from disclosure may submit that portion of the exhibit directly to the adjudicative officer in a sealed envelope labeled “Confidential Financial Information,” accompanied by a motion to withhold the information from public disclosure. The motion shall describe the information sought to be withheld and explain, in detail, why it falls within one or more of the specific exemptions from mandatory disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552(b)(1)–(9), why public disclosure of the information would adversely affect the applicant, and why disclosure is not required in the public interest. The material in question shall be served on counsel representing the agency against which the applicant seeks an award, but need not be served on any other party to the proceeding. If the adjudicative officer finds that the information should not be withheld from disclosure, it shall be placed in the public record of the proceeding. Otherwise, any request to inspect or copy the exhibit shall be disposed of in accordance with the Commission's established procedures under the Freedom of Information Act under §§503.31–503.43 of this chapter.

(c) Documentation of fees and expenses. The petition shall be accompanied by full documentation of the fees and expenses, including the cost of any study, analysis, engineering report, test, project or similar matter, for which an award is sought. A separate itemized statement shall be submitted for each professional firm or individual whose services are covered by the application, showing the hours spent in connection with the proceeding by each individual, a description of the specific services performed, the rates at which each fee has been computed, any expenses for which reinbursement is sought, the total amount claimed, and the total amount paid or payable by the applicant or by any other person or entity for the services provided. The adjudicative officer may require the applicant to provide vouchers, receipts, or other substantiation for any expenses claimed.

(d) When a petition may be filed. (1) A petition may be filed whenever the applicant has prevailed in the proceeding or in a significant and discrete substantive portion of the proceeding, but in no case later than 30 days after the Commission's final disposition of the proceeding.

(2) For purposes of this subpart, final disposition means the date on which a decision or order disposing of the merits of the proceeding or any other complete resolution of the proceeding, such as a settlement or voluntary dismissal, becomes final and unappealable, both within the Commission and to the courts.

(3) If review or reconsideration is sought or taken of a decision as to which an applicant believes it has prevailed, proceedings for the award of fees shall be stayed pending final disposition of the underlying controversy. When the United States appeals the underlying merits of an adversary adjudication to a court, no decision on an application for fees and other expenses in connection with that adversary adjudication shall be made until a final and unreviewable decision is rendered by the court on the appeal or until the underlying merits of the case have been finally determined pursuant to the appeal. [Rule 502.]

[52 FR 28264, July 29, 1987, as amended at 64 FR 7812, Feb. 17, 1999]

§ 502.503 Procedures for considering petitions.
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(a) Filing and service of documents. (1) Any petition for an award or other pleading or document related to a petition shall be filed and served on all parties to the proceeding in the same manner as other pleadings in the proceeding, except as provided in §502.502(b)(2) (confidential financial information).

(2) The petition and all other pleadings or documents related to the petition will be referred to an Administrative Law Judge to initially decide the matter as adjudicative officer.

(b) Reply to petition. (1) Within 30 days after service of a petition, counsel representing the agency against which an award is sought may file a reply to the petition. Unless counsel requests an extension of time for filing or files a statement of intent to negotiate under paragraph (b)(2) of this section, failure to file a reply within the 30-day period may be treated as a consent to the award requested.

(2) If agency counsel and the applicant believe that the issues in the fee application can be settled, they may jointly file a statement of their intent to negotiate a settlement. The filing of this statement shall extend the time for filing a reply for an additional 30 days, and further extension may be granted by the adjudicative officer upon request by agency counsel and the applicant.

(3) The reply shall explain in detail any objections to the award requested and identify the facts relied on in support of counsel's position. If the reply is based on any alleged facts not already in the record of the proceeding, agency counsel shall include with the reply either supporting affidavits or a request for further proceedings under paragraph (f) of this section.

(c) Response to reply. Within 15 days after service of a reply, the applicant may file a response. If the response is based on any alleged facts not already in the record of the proceeding, the applicant shall include with the response either supporting affidavits or a request for further proceedings under paragraph (f) of this section.

(d) Comments by other parties. Any party to a proceeding other than the applicant and agency counsel may file comments on an application within 30 days after it is served, or on a reply, within 15 days after it is served. A commenting party may not participate further in proceedings on the application unless the adjudicative officer determines that the public interest requires such participation in order to permit full exploration of matters raised in the comments.

(e) Settlement. The applicant and agency counsel may agree on a proposed settlement of the award before final action on the application, either in connection with a settlement of the underlying proceeding, or after the underlying proceeding has been concluded in accordance with the rules of this subpart pertaining to settlement. If a prevailing party and agency counsel agree on a proposed settlement of an award before a petition is filed, the petition shall be filed with the proposed settlement.

(f) Further proceedings. (1) Ordinarily, the determination of an award will be made on the basis of the written record. However, on request of either the applicant or agency counsel, or on his or her own initiative, the adjudicative officer may order further proceedings, such as an informal conference, oral argument, additional written submissions or, as to issues other than substantial justification (such as the applicant's eligibility or substantiation of fees and expenses), pertinent discovery or an evidentiary hearing. Such further proceedings shall be held only when necessary for full and fair resolution of the issues arising from the application, and shall be conducted as promptly as possible. Whether or not the position of the agency was substantially justified shall be determined on the basis of the administrative record, as a whole, which is made in the adversary adjudication for which fees and other expenses are sought.

(2) A request that the adjudicative officer order further proceedings under this section shall specifically identify the information sought or the disputed issues and shall explain why the additional proceedings are necessary to resolve the issues.

(g) Decision. The adjudicative officer shall serve an initial decision on the application within 60 days after completion of proceedings on the application. The decision shall include written findings and conclusions on the applicant's eligibility and status as a prevailing party, and an explanation of the reasons for any difference between the amount requested and the amount awarded. The decision shall also include, if at issue, findings on whether the agency's position was substantially justified, whether the applicant unduly protracted the proceedings, or whether special circumstances make an award unjust. If the applicant has sought an award against more than one agency, the decision shall allocate responsibility for payment of any award made among the agencies, and shall explain the reason for the allocation made.

(h) Commission review. Either the applicant or agency counsel may seek review of the initial decision on the fee application, or the Commission may decide to review the decision on its own initiative, in accordance with §502.227 of this part. If neither the applicant nor agency counsel seeks review and the Commission does not take review on its own initiative, the initial decision on the application shall become a final decision of the Commission 30 days after it is issued. Whether to review a decision is a matter within the discretion of the Commission. If review is taken, the Commission will issue a final decision on the application or remand the application to the adjudicative officer for further proceedings.

(i) Judicial review. Judicial review of final Commission decisions on awards may be sought as provided in 5 U.S.C. 504(c)(2).

(j) Payment of award. (1)(i) An applicant seeking payment of an award shall submit to the comptroller or other disbursing officer of the paying agency a copy of the Commission's final decision granting the award, accompanied by a certification that the applicant will not seek review of the decision in the United States courts.

(ii) The agency will pay the amount awarded to the applicant within 60 days.

(2) Where the Federal Maritime Commission is the paying agency, the application for payment of award shall be submitted to: Office of Budget and Financial Management, Federal Maritime Commission, Washington, DC 20573. [Rule 503.]

[52 FR 28264, July 29, 1987, as amended at 64 FR 7812, Feb. 17, 1999]

Subpart W—Compromise, Assessment, Mitigation, Settlement, and Collection of Civil Penalties
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Source: 49 FR 44418, Nov. 6, 1984, unless otherwise noted. Redesignated at 58 FR 27211, May 7, 1993.

§ 502.601 Purpose and scope.
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The purpose of this subpart is to implement the statutory provisions of section 19 of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920, section 13 of the Shipping Act of 1984, and sections 2(c) and 3(c) of Pub. L. 89–777 by establishing rules and regulations governing the compromise, assessment, settlement and collection of civil penalties arising under certain designated provisions of the Merchant Marine Act , 1920, the Shipping Act of 1984, Public Law 89–777, and/or any order, rule, or regulation (except for procedural rules and regulations contained in this part) issued or made by the Commission in the exercise of its powers, duties and functions under those statutes. [Rule 601.]

[64 FR 7812, Feb. 17, 1999]

§ 502.602 Definitions.
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For the purposes of this subpart:

(a) Assessment means the imposition of a civil penalty by order of the Commission after a formal docketed proceeding.

(b) Commission means the Federal Maritime Commission.

(c) Compromise means the process whereby a civil penalty for a violation is agreed upon by the respondent and the Commission outside of a formal, docketed proceeding.

(d) Mitigation means the reduction, in whole or in part, of the amount of a civil penalty.

(e) Person includes individuals, corporations, partnerships, and associations existing under or authorized by the laws of the United States or of a foreign country.

(f) Respondent means any person charged with a violation.

(g) Settlement means the process whereby a civil penalty or other disposition of the case for a violation is agreed to in a formal, docketed proceeding instituted by order of the Commission.

(h) Violation includes any violation of sections 19(6)(d), 19(7)(d) and 19(11) of the Merchant Marine Act, 1920; any provision of the Shipping Act of 1984; sections 2 and 3 of Pub. L. 89–777; and/or any order, rule or regulation (except for procedural rules and regulations contained in this part) issued or made by the Commission in the exercise of its powers, duties and functions under the Merchant Marine Act, 1920, the Shipping Act of 1984, or Pub. L. 89–777.

(i) Words in the plural form shall include the singular and vice versa; and words importing the masculine gender shall include the feminine and vice versa. The terms “includes” and “including” do not exclude matters not listed but which are in the same general class. The word “and” includes “or”, except where specifically stated or where the context requires otherwise. [Rule 602.]

[49 FR 44418, Nov. 6, 1984. Redesignated at 58 FR 27211, May 7, 1993, as amended at 64 FR 7812, Feb. 17, 1999]

§ 502.603 Assessment of civil penalties: Procedure; criteria for determining amount; limitations; relation to compromise.
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(a) Procedure for assessment of penalty. The Commission may assess a civil penalty only after notice and opportunity for hearing. Civil penalty assessment proceedings, including settlement negotiations, shall be governed by the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure in this part. All settlements must be approved by the Presiding Officer. The full text of any settlement must be included in the final order of the Commission.

(b) Criteria for determining amount of penalty. In determining the amount of any penalties assessed, the Commission shall take into account the nature, circumstances, extent and gravity of the violation committed and the policies for deterrence and future compliance with the Commission's rules and regulations and the applicable statutes. The Commission shall also consider the respondent's degree of culpability, history of prior offenses, ability to pay and such other matters as justice requires.

(c) Limitations; relation to compromise. When the Commission, in its discretion, determines that policy, justice or other circumstances warrant, a civil penalty assessment proceeding may be instituted at any time for any violation which occurred within five years prior to the issuance of the order of investigation. Such proceeding may also be instituted at any time after the initiation of informal compromise procedures, except where a compromise agreement for the same violations under the compromise procedures has become effective under §502.604(e). [Rule 603.]

[49 FR 44418, Nov. 6, 1984. Redesignated at 58 FR 27211, May 7, 1993, as amended at 64 FR 7812, Feb. 17, 1999]

§ 502.604 Compromise of penalties: Relation to assessment proceedings.
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(a) Scope. Except in pending civil penalty assessment proceedings provided for in §502.603, the Commission, when it has reason to believe a violation has occurred, may invoke the informal compromise procedures of this section.

(b) Notice. When the Commission considers it appropriate to afford an opportunity for the compromise of a civil penalty, it will, except when otherwise authorized by the Commission, or where circumstances render it unnecessary, send a Notice and Demand Letter (“NDL”) to the respondent, by registered or certified mail, or by other means reasonably calculated to give notice. The NDL will describe specific violation(s) on which the claim is based, including the particular facts, dates and other elements necessary for the respondent to identify the specific conduct constituting the alleged violation; the amount of the penalty demanded; and the names of Commission personnel with whom the demand may be discussed, if the person desires to compromise the penalty. The NDL also will state the deadlines for the institution and completion of compromise negotiations and the consequences of failure to compromise.

(c) Request for compromise. Any person receiving a NDL provided for in paragraph (b) of this section may, within the time specified, deny the violation, or submit matters explaining, mitigating or showing extenuating circumstances, as well as make voluntary disclosures of information and documents.

(d) Criteria for compromise. In addition to the factors set forth in §502.603(b), in compromising a penalty claim, the Commission may consider litigative probabilities, the cost of collecting the claim and enforcement policy.

(e) Disposition of claims in compromise procedures. (1) When a penalty is compromised and the respondent agrees to settle for that amount, a compromise agreement shall be executed. (One example of such compromise agreement is set forth as appendix A to this subpart.) This agreement, after reciting the nature of the claim, will include a statement evidencing the respondent's agreement to the compromise of the Commission's penalty claim for the amount set forth in the agreement and will also embody an approval and acceptance provision which is to be signed by the appropriate Commission official. Upon compromise of the penalty in the agreed amount, a duplicate original of the executed agreement shall be furnished to the respondent.

(2) Upon completion of the compromise, the Commission may issue a public notice thereof, the terms and language of which are not subject to negotiation.

(f) Relation to assessment proceedings. Except by order of the Commission, no compromise procedure shall be initiated or continued after institution of a Commission assessment proceeding directed to the same violations. Any offer of compromise submitted by the respondent pursuant to this section shall be deemed to have been furnished by the respondent without prejudice and shall not be used against the respondent in any proceeding.

(g) Delegation of compromise authority. The compromise authority set forth in this subpart is delegated to the Director, Bureau of Enforcement. [Rule 604.]

[49 FR 44418, Nov. 6, 1984. Redesignated at 58 FR 27211, May 7, 1993, as amended at 61 FR 51233, Oct. 1, 1996; 64 FR 7812, 7813, Feb. 17, 1999]

§ 502.605 Payment of penalty: Method; default.
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(a) Method. Payment of penalties by the respondent is to be made by bank cashier's check or other instrument acceptable to the Commission.

(b) All checks or other instruments submitted in payment of claims shall be made payable to the Federal Maritime Commission.

(c) Default in payment. Where a respondent fails or refuses to pay a penalty properly assessed under §502.603, or compromised and agreed to under §502.604, appropriate collection efforts will be made by the Commission, including, but not limited to referral to the Department of Justice for collection. Where such defaulting respondent is a licensed freight forwarder, such default also may be grounds for revocation or suspension of the respondent's license, after notice and opportunity for hearing, unless such notice and hearing have been waived by the respondent in writing. [Rule 605.]

[49 FR 44418, Nov. 6, 1984. Redesignated at 58 FR 27211, May 7, 1993, as amended at 64 FR 7813, Feb. 17, 1999]

Appendix A to Subpart W of Part 502—Example of Compromise Agreement to be Used Under 46 CFR 502.604
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Compromise Agreement

FMC File No. ____

This Agreement is entered into between:

(1) the Federal Maritime Commission, hereinafter referred to as Commission, and

(2) ________, hereinafter referred to as Respondent.

Whereas, the Commission is considering the institution of an assessment proceeding against Respondent for the recovery of civil penalties provided under the [appropriate statute], for alleged violations of section ____;

Whereas, this course of action is the result of practices believed by the Commission to have been engaged in by Respondent, to wit:

[General description of practices and dates or time period involved]

Whereas, the Commission has authority under the Shipping Act of 1984 to compromise and collect civil penalties; and,

Whereas, Respondent has terminated the practices which are the basis for the allegations of violation set forth herein, and has instituted and indicated its willingness to maintain measures designed to eliminate these practices by Respondent, its officers, directors or employees.

Now Therefore, in consideration of the premises herein, and in compromise of all civil penalties arising from the alleged violations, Respondent and the Commission hereby agree upon the following terms and conditions of compromise and settlement:

1. Respondent shall make a monetary payment to the Commission herewith, by bank cashier's check, in the total amount of $____.

2. Upon acceptance in writing of this Agreement by the Director of the Bureau of Enforcement of the Commission, this instrument shall forever bar the commencement or institution of any assessment proceeding or other claim for recovery of civil penalties from the Respondent arising from the alleged violations set forth above.

3. It is expressly understood and agreed that this Agreement is not, and is not to be construed as, an admission by Respondent to the alleged violations set forth above.

(Respondent's Name)

By:____________________
Title:____________________
Date:____________________

Approval and Acceptance

The above terms, conditions and consideration are hereby approved and accepted:

By the Federal Maritime Commission:

Director, Bureau of Enforcement

Date:____________________

[49 FR 44418, Nov. 6, 1984. Redesignated at 58 FR 27211, May 7, 1993, as amended at 61 FR 51233, Oct. 1, 1996; 65 FR 81759, Dec. 27, 2000]

Subpart X—Paperwork Reduction Act
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§ 502.991 OMB control numbers assigned pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act.
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This section displays the control numbers assigned to information collection requirements of the Commission in this part by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980, Pub. L. 96–511. The Commission intends that this section comply with the Act, which requires that agencies display a current control number assigned by the Director of OMB for each agency information collection requirement:



------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current OMB
Section control no.
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502.27 (Form FMC.12).................................... 3072-0001
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[49 FR 44369, Nov. 6, 1984. Redesignated at 58 FR 27211, May 7, 1993]