(a) In lieu of any civil action pursuant to Section 5310, except as provided in Article 5 (commencing with Section 5781) of Chapter 8, the secretary or the commissioner may levy a civil penalty against a person violating this division or any regulation adopted pursuant to this division in an amount not to exceed two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) for each violation.

(b) Before a civil penalty is levied, the person charged with the violation shall receive notice of the nature of the violation and shall be given an opportunity to be heard. This shall include the right to review the evidence and a right to present evidence on his or her own behalf.

(c) A review of the decision of the secretary to impose a penalty may be sought by the person against whom the penalty was levied within 30 days of the date of the decision pursuant to Section 1094.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

(d) The person against whom a civil penalty is levied by a commissioner may appeal to the secretary within 10 days of the date of receiving notification of the penalty, as follows:

(1) The appeal need not be formal, but it shall be in writing and signed by the appellant or his or her authorized agent, and shall state the grounds for the appeal.

(2) Any party, at the time of filing the appeal or within 10 days thereafter, may present written evidence and a written argument to the secretary.

(3) The secretary may grant oral arguments upon application made at the time written arguments are filed.

(4) If an application to present an oral argument is granted, written notice of the time and place for the oral argument shall be given at least 10 days prior to the date set therefor. This time requirement may be altered by an agreement between the secretary and the person appealing the penalty.

(5) The secretary shall decide the appeal on any oral or written arguments, briefs, and evidence that he or she has received.

(6) The secretary shall render a written decision within 45 days of the date of appeal or within 15 days of the date of oral arguments.

(7) On an appeal pursuant to this section, the secretary may sustain, modify by reducing the amount of the penalty levied, or reverse the decision. A copy of the secretary’s decision shall be delivered or mailed to the appellant and the commissioner who levied the penalty, if this is the case.

(8) Review of the decision of the secretary may be sought by the appellant pursuant to Section 1094.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

(e) Any funds recovered by the commissioner pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the county general fund in the county in which the action is brought and shall be allocated to the commissioner to cover costs related to the enforcement of this division. Any funds recovered by the secretary pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund to cover costs related to the enforcement of this division.

(Amended by Stats. 1995, Ch. 157, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1996.)