(a) Sections 209.101 through 209.121 prescribe rules of procedure for the assessment of civil penalties pursuant to the Federal hazardous materials transportation safety law, 49 U.S.C. Chapter 51.

(b) When the FRA has reason to believe that a person has knowingly committed an act which is a violation of any provision of subchapter B or C of chapter I, subtitle B of this title for which the FRA exercises enforcement responsibility or any waiver or order issued thereunder, it may conduct a proceeding to assess a civil penalty.