Sec. 436.027. CIVIL PENALTY

(a) At the request of the director, the attorney general or a district, county, or municipal attorney shall institute an action in district or county court to collect a civil penalty from a person who has violated Section 436.011.

(b) A person who violates Section 436.011 is liable for a civil penalty not to exceed $25,000 a day for each violation. Each day of a continuing violation constitutes a separate violation for purposes of penalty assessment.

(c) In determining the amount of the penalty, the court shall consider:

(1) the person's history of previous violations under this chapter;

(2) the seriousness of the violation;

(3) any hazard to the health and safety of the public;

(4) the demonstrated good faith of the person; and

(5) other matters as justice may require.

(d) A civil penalty recovered in a suit instituted by the attorney general under this chapter shall be deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the general revenue fund. A civil penalty recovered in a suit instituted by a local government under this chapter shall be paid to the local government.

(e) Venue for a suit to collect a civil penalty brought under this section is in the municipality or county in which the violation occurred or in Travis County.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 336, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.