Federal · Title 16 — Conservation

16 U.S.C. § 470aaa: Rewards and forfeiture

Civil

What this law says, in plain English

Statute establishes procedures for rewarding informants on civil or criminal violations, and authorizes forfeiture of paleontological resources involved in violations under specified sections.

Read the full statutory text
consistent with amounts established in regulations by the Secretary; or if no such regulation exists, an amount up to ½ of the penalties, to any person who furnishes information which leads to the finding of a civil violation, or the conviction of criminal violation, with respect to which the penalty was paid. If several persons provided the information, the amount shall be divided among the persons. No officer or employee of the United States or of any State or local government who furnishes information or renders service in the performance of his official duties shall be eligible for payment under this subsection. All paleontological resources with respect to which a violation under section 470aaa–5 or 470aaa–6 of this title occurred and which are in the possession of any person, shall be subject to civil forfeiture, or upon conviction, to criminal forfeiture. The Secretary may transfer administration of seized paleontological resources to Federal or non-Federal educational institutions to be used for scientific or educational purposes.

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.