(a) When a complaint has been filed in a court of competent jurisdiction charging a person with a violation that may result in suspension or revocation of any license or permit to take abalone for commercial purposes, and no disposition of the complaint has occurred within 90 days after it has been filed in the court, the department may suspend the license or permit of that person.

(b) Whenever the department proposes to suspend a license or permit under this section, notice and an opportunity to be heard shall be given before taking the action. The notice shall contain a statement setting forth the proposed action and the grounds therefor, and notify the person of his or her right to a hearing as provided in this section. Within 10 days after the receipt of the notice from the department, the permitholder may request a hearing. The hearing shall be held by the commission at the next regularly scheduled hearing of the commission held more than 30 days after the notice of intent to suspend the permit was sent. The person shall be given 10 days’ notice of the time and place of the hearing.

(c) A decision shall be made within a reasonable time on whether the license or permit shall be suspended until the disposition of the complaint by the court. In determining whether to order the suspension, the commission shall consider whether or not the violation could have a detrimental effect on the resources and whether or not a suspension is in the best public interest, and shall find whether there is sufficient evidence that a violation has occurred. A failure to make a finding that there is sufficient evidence that a violation has occurred, or a finding there is insufficient evidence, shall terminate the proceedings under this section.

(d) If the person is acquitted of the charges or the charges are dismissed, any suspension under this section is thereby terminated.

(e) No complaint shall be filed in a court charging a commercial abalone violation, unless evidence supporting the charge has been reviewed by the appropriate county or city prosecuting agency and a criminal complaint has been issued by that agency.

(Added by renumbering Section 8306.7 by Stats. 1997, Ch. 787, Sec. 26. Effective January 1, 1998.)