Sec. 571.023. CIVIL PENALTY. (a) A person is subject to a civil penalty of not more than $25,000 for each day of violation and for each act of violation of this subtitle or a rule adopted under this subtitle. In determining the amount of the civil penalty, the court shall consider:
(1) the person's or facility's previous violations;
(2) the seriousness of the violation, including the nature, circumstances, extent, and gravity of the violation;
(3) whether the health and safety of the public was threatened by the violation;
(4) the demonstrated good faith of the person or facility; and
(5) the amount necessary to deter future violations.
(b) The department or party bringing the suit may:
(1) combine a suit to assess and recover civil penalties with a suit for injunctive relief brought under Section 571.022 or 577.019; or
(2) file a suit to assess and recover civil penalties independently of a suit for injunctive relief.
(c) At the request of the department, the attorney general or the appropriate district or county attorney shall institute and conduct the suit authorized by Subsection (b) in the name of the state.
(d) On his own initiative, the attorney general, district attorney, or county attorney may maintain an action as authorized by Subsection (b) for a violation of this subtitle or a rule adopted under this subtitle in the name of the state.
(e) The department and the party bringing the suit may recover reasonable expenses incurred in obtaining injunctive relief, civil penalties, or both, including investigation costs, court costs, reasonable attorney fees, witness fees, and deposition expenses.
(f) A penalty collected under this section by the attorney general shall be deposited to the credit of the general revenue fund. A penalty collected under this section by a district or county attorney shall be deposited to the credit of the general fund of the county in which the suit was heard.
(g) The civil penalty and injunctive relief authorized by this section and Sections 571.022 and 577.019 are in addition to any other civil, administrative, or criminal remedies provided by law.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 705, Sec. 3.11, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
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