Sec. 341.048. CIVIL ENFORCEMENT

(a) A person may not cause, suffer, allow, or permit a violation of this subchapter or a rule or order adopted under this subchapter.

(b) A person who causes, suffers, allows, or permits a violation under this subchapter shall be assessed a civil penalty of not less than $50 nor more than $1,000 for each violation. Each day of a continuing violation is a separate violation.

(c) If it appears that a person has violated, is violating, or threatens to violate a provision under this subchapter, the commission, a county, or a municipality may institute a civil suit in a district court for:

(1) injunctive relief to restrain the person from continuing the violation or threat of violation;

(2) the assessment and recovery of a civil penalty; or

(3) both injunctive relief and a civil penalty.

(d) The commission is a necessary and indispensable party in a suit brought by a county or municipality under this section.

(e) On the commission's request, the attorney general shall institute a suit in the name of the state for injunctive relief, to recover a civil penalty, or for both injunctive relief and civil penalty.

(f) The suit may be brought in:

(1) Travis County;

(2) the county in which the defendant resides; or

(3) the county in which the violation or threat of violation occurs.

(g) In a suit under this section to enjoin a violation or threat of violation of this subchapter, the court shall grant the state, county, or municipality, without bond or other undertaking, any injunction that the facts may warrant including temporary restraining orders, temporary injunctions after notice and hearing, and permanent injunctions.

(h) Civil penalties recovered in a suit brought under this section by a county or municipality shall be equally divided between:

(1) the state; and

(2) the county or municipality that first brought the suit.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 353, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1010, Sec. 6.22, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.