(a) If any person subject to this division fails to make any report required by law or by the commissioner, the commissioner may immediately cause the books, records, papers, and affairs of said person to be thoroughly examined.

(b) The commissioner may impose, by order, a penalty on any person who fails, within the time specified in any written demand of the commissioner, (1) to make and file with the commissioner any report required by law or requested by the commissioner, or (2) to furnish any material information required by the commissioner to be included in the report. The amount of the penalty may not exceed one hundred dollars ($100) for each day for the first five days the report or information is overdue, and thereafter may not exceed five hundred dollars ($500) for each day the report or information is overdue.

(c) If, after an order has been made under subdivision (b), a request for hearing is filed in writing within 30 days of the date of service of the order by the person to whom the order was directed, a hearing shall be held in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, and the commissioner shall have all the powers granted under that chapter.

(d) If the person fails to file a written request for a hearing within 30 days of the date of service of the order, the order imposing the penalty shall be deemed a final order of the commissioner, and the penalty shall be paid within five business days.

(e) If a hearing is requested, the penalty shall be paid within five business days after the effective date of any decision in the case ordering payment to be made.

(Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 257, second Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2006.)