FWSFinal Rule

Civil Monetary Penalty Inflation Adjustment

EnvironmentOther

Summary

The Fish and Wildlife Service is adjusting the dollar amounts of fines and penalties for wildlife violations to keep up with inflation. This means people or businesses that break wildlife protection laws will face higher financial penalties than before, reflecting changes in the cost of living since penalties were last updated.

Key Points

  • 1The Fish and Wildlife Service increases penalty amounts every year to match inflation, so fines keep their intended impact
  • 2Higher penalties apply to violations of wildlife laws, including illegal hunting, poaching, and environmental crimes
  • 3Businesses and individuals who break wildlife protection rules will face steeper financial consequences
  • 4This is a routine annual adjustment required by federal law to prevent penalties from becoming outdated and less effective
  • 5The adjusted penalty amounts became effective after the August 18, 2025 publication date

Key Dates

Published

August 18, 2025

This summary is for informational purposes only. It may not capture all nuances of the regulation. Always refer to the official text for authoritative information.

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