Penalties and forfeitures

(a) Penalties (1) In general Except as provided in subsection (b), a licensee that violates any regulation or written directive issued by the Secretary issued under this Act, requiring the filing of any regular or special report pursuant to section 12, shall forfeit and pay to the United States a civil penalty of not more than $100 for each day of the continuance of the failure by the licensee to file such report, unless it is shown that such failure is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect. (2) Accrual Any civil penalty under paragraph (1) shall accrue to the United States and may be recovered in a civil action brought by the Secretary. (b) Enforcement The Secretary may— (1) by rules and regulations, or upon application of an interested party, at any time previous to such failure, by order, after notice and opportunity for hearing, exempt in whole or in part, any licensee from the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, upon such terms and conditions and for such period of time as the Secretary deems necessary and appropriate, if the Secretary funds that such action is not inconsistent with the public interest or the protection of the Department; and (2) for the purposes of this section make any alternative requirements appropriate to the situation.