If the secretary levies an administrative penalty pursuant to Section 27583, the following shall apply:

(a) The person charged with the violation shall be notified of the proposed action in accordance with subdivision (b). The notice shall include the nature of the violation, the amount of the proposed administrative penalty, and the right to request a hearing to appeal the administrative action.

(b) (1) Notice shall be sent by certified mail to one of the following:

(A) The address of the person charged, as provided by any license or registration issued by the department, which is not limited to a certificate of registration issued pursuant to this chapter.

(B) The address of an agent for service of process for the person charged, as filed with the Secretary of State.

(C) If an address described in subparagraph (A) or (B) is not available, the last known address of the person charged.

(2) Notice that is sent to any of the addresses described in paragraph (1) shall be considered received, even if delivery is refused or if the notice is not accepted at that address.

(3) The person charged shall have the right to appeal the proposed action by requesting a hearing within 20 days of the issuance of the notice of the proposed action.

(c) If a hearing is requested, the secretary shall schedule a hearing within 45 days of the request, with notice of the time and place of the hearing given at least 10 days before the date of the hearing. At the hearing, the person charged shall be given an opportunity to review the secretary’s evidence and to present evidence on his or her own behalf. If a hearing is not timely requested, the secretary may take the proposed action without a hearing.

(d) The secretary shall issue a decision within 30 days of the conclusion of the hearing, which decision shall become effective immediately.

(e) The secretary shall send a copy of the notice of the proposed action to the commissioner of the county in which the violation took place at the same time notice is sent pursuant to subdivision (b). Additionally, the secretary shall inform the commissioner of the county in which the action was initiated of violations for which a penalty has been assessed.

(f) If the proposed action is not overturned, in addition to the levy of an administrative penalty, the secretary may recover from the person charged any other reasonable costs incurred by the department in connection with administering the hearing to appeal the proposed action.

(g) Revenues collected by the secretary pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund for use by the department in administering this chapter, when appropriated to the department for that purpose.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 86, Sec. 141. (SB 1171) Effective January 1, 2017.)