(3) As used in this section, the term "automobile" includes any automobile with a gross vehicle weight rating of 8,500 pounds or less, notwithstanding any lack of determination required of the Secretary under section 501(1)(B) (ii) or (iii).

(d) Any disclosure with respect to fuel economy or estimated annual fuel cost which is required to be made under the provisions of this section shall not create an express or implied warranty under State or Federal law that such fuel economy will be achieved, or that such cost will not be exceeded, under conditions of actual use.

(e) In carrying out his duties under this section, the EPA Administrator shall consult with the Federal Trade Commission, the Secretary, and the Federal Energy Administrator.

[15 U.S.C. 2006]

UNLAWFUL CONDUCT

SEC. 507. (a) Subject to subsection (b), the following conduct is unlawful:

(1) the failure of any manufacturer to comply with any average fuel economy standard applicable to such manufacturer under section 502 (other than section 502(b)),

(2) the failure of any manufacturer to comply with any average fuel economy standard applicable to such manufacturer under section 502(b), or

(3) the failure of any person (A) to comply with any provision of this part applicable to such person (other than section 502, 506(a), 510, or 511), or (B) to comply with any standard, rule, or order applicable to such person which is issued pursuant to such a provision.

(b) A manufacturer shall not be considered to have engaged in unlawful conduct, or to have failed to comply with any fuel economy standard applicable to such manufacturer under section 502, if the average fuel economy of such manufacturer, after taking into account the credits then available to the manufacturer under section 502(1), would result in the applicable standard being met or exceeded.

[15 U.S.C. 2007]

CIVIL PENALTY

SEC. 508. (a)(1) If average fuel economy calculations reported under section 503(d) indicate that any manufacturer has violated section 507(a) (1) or (2), then (unless further measurements of fuel economy, further calculations of average fuel economy, or other information indicates there is no violation of section 507(a) (1) or (2)) the Secretary shall commence a proceeding under paragraph (2) of this subsection. The results of such further measurements, further calculations, and any such other information, shall be published in the Federal Register.

(2) If, on the record after opportunity for agency hearing, the Secretary determines that such manufacturer has violated section 507(a) (1) or (2), or that any person has violated section 507(a)(3), the Secretary shall assess the penalties provided for under subsec

tion (b). Any interested person may participate in any proceeding under this paragraph.

(b)(1)(A) Any manufacturer whom the Secretary determines under subsection (a) to have violated a provision of section 507(a)(1) with respect to any model year, shall be liable to the United States for a civil penalty equal to the amount obtained by multiplying $5 by (i) the number of tenths of a mile per gallon by which the average fuel economy of the passenger automobiles manufactured by such manufacturer during such model year is exceeded by the applicable average fuel economy standard established under section 502 (a) and (c), multiplied by the number of passenger automobiles manufactured by such manufacturer during such model year, reduced by (ii) the credits then available under section 502(1) for such model year.

(B) Any manufacturer whom the Secretary determines under subsection (a) to have violated section 507(a)(2) shall be liable to the United States for a civil penalty equal to the amount obtained by multiplying $5 by (i) the number of tenths of a mile per gallon by which the applicable average fuel economy standard exceeds the average fuel economy of automobiles to which such standard applies, and which are manufactured by such manufacturer during the model year in which the violation occurs, multiplied by the number of automobiles to which such standard applies and which are manufactured by such manufacturer during such model year, reduced by (ii) the credits then available under section 502(1) for such model year.

(2) Any person whom the Secretary determines under subsection (a) to have violated a provision of section 507(a)(3) shall be liable to the United States for a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 for each violation. Each day of a continuing violation shall constitute a separate violation for purposes of this paragraph.

(3) The amount of such civil penalty shall be assessed by the Secretary by written notice. The Secretary shall have the discretion to compromise, modify, or remit, with or without conditions, any civil penalty assessed under this subsection against any person, except that any civil penalty assessed for a violation of section 507(a) (1) or (2) may be so compromised, modified, or remitted only to the extent

(A) necessary to prevent the insolvency or bankruptcy of such manufacturer,

(B) such manufacturer shows that the violation of section 507(a) (1) or (2) resulted from an act of God, a strike, or a fire,

or

(C) the Federal Trade Commission has certified that modification of such penalty is necessary to prevent a substantial lessening of competition, as determined under paragraph (4). The Attorney General shall collect any civil penalty for which a manufacturer is liable under this subsection in a civil action under subsection (c)(2) (unless the manufacturer pays such penalty to the Secretary).

(4) Not later than 30 days after a determination by the Secretary under subsection (a)(2) that a manufacturer has violated section 507(a) (1) or (2), such manufacturer may apply to the Federal Trade

Commission for a certification under this paragraph. If the manufacturer shows and the Federal Trade Commission determines that modification of the civil penalty for which such manufacturer is otherwise liable is necessary to prevent a substantial lessening of competition in that segment of the automobile industry subject to the standard with respect to which such penalty was assessed, the Commission shall so certify. The certification shall specify the maximum amount that such penalty may be reduced. To the maximum extent practicable, the Commission shall render a decision with respect to an application under this paragraph not later than 90 days after the application is filed with the Commission. A proceeding under this paragraph shall not have the effect of delaying the manufacturer's liability under this section for a civil penalty for more than 90 days after such application is filed, but any payment made before a decision of the Commission under this paragraph becomes final shall be paid to the court in which the penalty is collected, and shall (except as otherwise provided in paragraph (5)) to be held by such court, until 90 days after such decision becomes final (at which time it shall be paid into the general fund of the Treasury).

(5) Whenever a civil penalty has been assessed and collected from a manufacturer under this section, and is being held by a court in accordance with paragraph (4), and the Secretary subsequently determines to modify such civil penalty pursuant to paragraph (3)(C) the Secretary shall direct the court to remit the appropriate amount of such penalty to such manufacturer.

(6) A claim of the United States for a civil penalty assessed against a manufacturer under subsection (b)(1) shall, in the case of the bankruptcy or insolvency of such manufacturer, be subordinate to any claim of a creditor of such manufacturer which arises from an extension of credit before the date on which the judgment in any collection action under this section becomes final (without regard to paragraph (4)).

(c)(1) Any interested person may obtain review of a determination (A) of the Secretary pursuant to which a civil penalty has been assessed under subsection (b), or (B) of the Federal Trade Commission under subsection (b)(4), in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, or for any circuit wherein such person resides or has his principal place of business. Such review may be obtained by filing a notice of appeal in such court within 30 days after the date of such determination, and by simultaneously sending a copy of such notice by certified mail to the Secretary or the Federal Trade Commission, as the case may be. The Secretary or the Commission, as the case may be, shall promptly file in such court a certified copy of the record upon which such determination was made. Any such determination shall be reviewed in accordance with chapter 7 of title 5, United States Code.

(2) If any person fails to pay an assessment of a civil penalty after it has become a final and unappealable order, or after the appropriate court of appeals has entered final judgment in favor of the Secretary, the Attorney General shall recover the amount for which the manufacturer is liable in any appropriate district court of the United States. In such action, the validity and appropriate

ness of the final order imposing the civil penalty shall not be subject to review.

(d)(1)(A) The Secretary shall, by rule in accordance with the provisions of this subsection and subsection (e), substitute a higher amount for the amount per tenth of a mile per gallon which would be used to calculate the civil penalty under subsection (b)(1) in the absence of such rule, if the Secretary finds that

(i) the additional amount of the civil penalty which may be imposed under such rule will result in, or substantially further, substantial energy conservation for automobiles in future model years for which such higher penalty may be imposed; and

(ii) subject to subparagraph (B), such additional amount of civil penalty will not result in substantial deleterious impacts on the economy of the United States or of any State or region of any State.

(B) Any findings under subparagraph (A)(ii) may be made only if the Secretary finds that it is likely that

(i) such additional amount of civil penalty will not cause a significant increase in unemployment in any State or region thereof;

(ii) such additional amount will not adversely affect competition; and

(iii) such additional amount will not cause a significant increase in automobile imports.

(2) Any rule under paragraph (1) may not provide that the amount per tenth of a mile per gallon used to calculate the civil penalty under subsection (b)(1) be less than $5.00 or more than $10.00.

(3) Any rule prescribed under paragraph (1) shall be effective for the later of

or

(A) automobile model years beginning after model year 1981,

(B) automobile model years beginning at least 18 months after such rule becomes final.

(e)(1)(A) After the Secretary of Transportation develops a proposed rule pursuant to subsection (d), he shall publish such proposed rule in the Federal Register, together with a statement of the basis for such rule, and provide copies thereof to the manufacturers. He shall then provide a period of public comment on such rule of at least 45 days for written comments thereon. A copy of any such proposed rule shall be transmitted by the Secretary to the Federal Trade Commission and the Secretary shall request such Commission to comment thereon within the period provided to the public concerning such proposed rule.

(B) After such written comment period, any interested person (including the Federal Trade Commission) shall be afforded an opportunity to present oral data, views, and arguments at a public hearing concerning such proposal. At such hearing such interested person (including the Federal Trade Commission) shall have an opportunity to question

(i) other interested persons who make oral presentations,

Commission for a certification under this paragraph. If the manufacturer shows and the Federal Trade Commission determines that modification of the civil penalty for which such manufacturer is otherwise liable is necessary to prevent a substantial lessening of competition in that segment of the automobile industry subject to the standard with respect to which such penalty was assessed, the Commission shall so certify. The certification shall specify the maximum amount that such penalty may be reduced. To the maximum extent practicable, the Commission shall render a decision with respect to an application under this paragraph not later than 90 days after the application is filed with the Commission. A proceeding under this paragraph shall not have the effect of delaying the manufacturer's liability under this section for a civil penalty for more than 90 days after such application is filed, but any payment made before a decision of the Commission under this paragraph becomes final shall be paid to the court in which the penalty is collected, and shall (except as otherwise provided in paragraph (5)) to be held by such court, until 90 days after such decision becomes final (at which time it shall be paid into the general fund of the Treasury).

(5) Whenever a civil penalty has been assessed and collected from a manufacturer under this section, and is being held by a court in accordance with paragraph (4), and the Secretary subsequently determines to modify such civil penalty pursuant to paragraph (3)(C) the Secretary shall direct the court to remit the appropriate amount of such penalty to such manufacturer.

(6) A claim of the United States for a civil penalty assessed against a manufacturer under subsection (b)(1) shall, in the case of the bankruptcy or insolvency of such manufacturer, be subordinate to any claim of a creditor of such manufacturer which arises from an extension of credit before the date on which the judgment in any collection action under this section becomes final (without regard to paragraph (4)).

(c)(1) Any interested person may obtain review of a determination (A) of the Secretary pursuant to which a civil penalty has been assessed under subsection (b), or (B) of the Federal Trade Commission under subsection (b)(4), in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, or for any circuit wherein such person resides or has his principal place of business. Such review may be obtained by filing a notice of appeal in such court within 30 days after the date of such determination, and by simultaneously sending a copy of such notice by certified mail to the Secretary or the Federal Trade Commission, as the case may be. The Secretary or the Commission, as the case may be, shall promptly file in such court a certified copy of the record upon which such determination was made. Any such determination shall be reviewed in accordance with chapter 7 of title 5, United States Code.

(2) If any person fails to pay an assessment of a civil penalty after it has become a final and unappealable order, or after the appropriate court of appeals has entered final judgment in favor of the Secretary, the Attorney General shall recover the amount for which the manufacturer is liable in any appropriate district court of the United States. In such action, the validity and appropriate