16 USC 470aaa-7 – Rewards and forfeiture
(a) Rewards
The Secretary may pay from penalties collected under section 470aaa-5 or 470aaa-6 of this title or from appropriated funds—
(1) consistent with amounts established in regulations by the Secretary; or
(2) 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.
(b) Forfeiture
Terms Used In 16 USC 470aaa-7
- Civil forfeiture: The loss of ownership of property used to conduct illegal activity.
- Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
- officer: includes any person authorized by law to perform the duties of the office. See 1 USC 1
- State: means a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any other territory or possession of the United States. See 1 USC 7
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.
(c) Transfer of seized resources
The Secretary may transfer administration of seized paleontological resources to Federal or non-Federal educational institutions to be used for scientific or educational purposes.