# Can PHMSA assess administrative civil penalties for violations?

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 49 CFR 196.205
- **title:** Can PHMSA assess administrative civil penalties for violations?
- **source type:** regulation
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** current
- **official:** true
- **published on:** Not available
- **effective on:** 2026-08-18
- **summary:** Yes. When the Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety has reason to believe that a person has violated any provision of the 49 U.S.C. 60101 et seq. or any regulation or order issued thereunder, including a violation of excavation damage prevention requirements under this part and 49 U.S.C. 60114
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- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/49-cfr-196-205
- **source url:** https://www.ecfr.gov/on/2026-08-18/title-49/section-196.205
**body:**

Yes. When the Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety has reason to believe that a person has violated any provision of the 49 U.S.C. 60101 et seq. or any regulation or order issued thereunder, including a violation of excavation damage prevention requirements under this part and 49 U.S.C. 60114(d) in a State with an excavation damage prevention law enforcement program PHMSA has deemed inadequate under 49 CFR part 198, subpart D, PHMSA may conduct a proceeding to determine the nature and extent of the violation and to assess a civil penalty.
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