N.J. Admin. Code § 7:26H-5.20

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 7:26H-5.20 - Penalty for submitting inaccurate or false information

(a) The Department may assess a penalty pursuant to this section against each violator who submits inaccurate information or who makes a false statement, representation or certification in any application, record or other document required to be submitted or maintained pursuant to the Acts or any rule promulgated, any administrative order, permit, license or other operating authority issued thereunder.

(b) Each day, from the day that the violator knew or had reason to know that it submitted inaccurate or false information to the Department until the day of receipt by the Department of a written correction by the violator, shall be an additional, separate and distinct violation.

(c) The Department shall assess a penalty for violations described in this section based on the conduct of the violator except as adjusted pursuant to (d) below:

1. For each intentional, deliberate, purposeful, knowing or willful act or omission by the violator, the civil administrative penalty per act or omission shall be in an amount of not more than $ 10,000 for the first offense, not more than $ 25,000 for the second offense, and not more than $ 50,000 for the third and every subsequent offense; and

2. For all other conduct under this section, the civil administrative penalty, per act or omission, shall be in the amount of $ 1,000 per violation.

(d) The Department may adjust the amount determined pursuant to (c) above to assess a penalty in an amount no greater than the maximum amount nor less than the minimum amount in the range described in (c) above, on the basis of the following factors:

1. The compliance history of the violator;

2. The nature, timing and effectiveness of any measures taken by the violator to mitigate the effects of the violation for which the penalty is being assessed;

i. Immediate implementation of measures to effectively mitigate the effects of the violation will result in a reduction to the bottom of the range;

3. The nature, timing and effectiveness of any measures taken by the violator to prevent future similar violations;

i. Implementation of measures that can reasonably be expected to prevent a recurrence of the same type of violation will result in a reduction equal to the bottom of the range;

4. Any unusual or extraordinary costs or impacts directly or indirectly imposed on the public or the environment as a result of the violation; and/or

5. Other specific circumstances of the violator or the violation.

(e) A violation under this section is non-minor and, therefore, not subject to a grace period.

N.J. Admin. Code § 7:26H-5.20

New Rule, R.2002 d.356, effective 11/4/2002.
See: 34 N.J.R. 1792(a), 34 N.J.R. 3819(a).
Amended by R.2006 d.343, effective 9/18/2006.
See: 37 N.J.R. 3130(a), 38 N.J.R. 3782(b).
Added (e).
Amended by R.2008 d.117, effective 5/5/2008.
See: 39 N.J.R. 4477(a), 40 N.J.R. 2243(a).
In (a), substituted "Acts" for "Act" preceding "or any rule" and substituted "thereunder" for "pursuant to the Act" following "issued".