PENALTIES.

SEC. 209. PENALTIES. (a) It shall be unlawful for any railroad to disobey, disregard, or fail to adhere to any rule, regulation, order, or standard prescribed by the Secretary under this title. (b) The Secretary shall include in, or make applicable to, any railroad safety rule, regulation, order, or standard issued under this title a civil penalty for violation thereof in such amount, not less than $250 nor more than $2,500, as he deems reasonable. (c) Any railroad violating any rule, regulation, order, or standard referred to in subsection (b) of this section shall be assessed by the Secretary the civil penalty applicable to the standard violated. Each day of such violation shall constitute a separate offense. Such civil penalty is to be recovered in a suit or spits to be brought by the Attorney General on behalf of the United States in the district court of the United States having jurisdiction in the locality where such violation occurred. Civil penalties may, however, be compromised by the Secretary for any amount, but in no event for an amount less than the minimum provided in subsection (b) of this section, prior to referral to the Attorney General. The amount of any such penalty, when finally determined, or the amount agreed upon in compromise, may be deducted from any sums owing by the United States to the person charged. All penalties collected under this title, including penalties collected pursuant to section 207 of this title, shall be covered into the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts. (d) In any action brought under this title, subpenas for witnesses who are required to attend a United States district court may run into any other district.