33-1-318. Injunctions and other remedies. (1) Whenever it appears to the commissioner that a person has engaged in or is about to engage in an act or practice constituting a violation of 33-1-501, 33-1-1302, 33-14-201, chapters 2, 16 through 18, and 30 of this title, part 13 of chapter 20 of this title, part 4 of chapter 25 of this title, part 1 of chapter 38 of this title, or any rule or order issued under this code, the commissioner may:

(a) issue an order directing the person to cease and desist from continuing the act or practice after reasonable notice and opportunity for a hearing;

(b) issue a temporary cease and desist order that must remain in effect until 10 days after the hearing is held. If the commissioner issues a temporary cease and desist order, the respondent has 15 days from receipt of the order to make a written request for a hearing on the allegations contained in the order. The hearing must be held within 20 days of the commissioner's receipt of the hearing request unless the time is extended by agreement of the parties. If the respondent does not request a hearing within 15 days of receipt of the order and the commissioner does not order a hearing, the order becomes final.

(c) without the issuance of a cease and desist order, bring an action in a court of competent jurisdiction to enjoin the acts or practices and to enforce compliance with this code or any rule or order issued under this code. Upon a proper showing, a permanent or temporary injunction, restraining order, or writ of mandamus must be granted and a receiver or conservator may be appointed for the defendant or the defendant's assets. The commissioner may not be required to post a bond.

(2) If a hearing is held on a cease and desist order, both parties have 20 days from the date the hearing is concluded or from the date a transcript of the hearing is filed, if one is requested, to submit proposed findings of fact, conclusions of law, orders, and supporting briefs to the hearings examiner. The parties have an additional 10 days within which to submit comments on the opposing party's proposed findings of fact, conclusions of law, orders, and briefs. A final order must be issued within 30 days of the submission of the comments.

(3) The commissioner may, after giving reasonable notice and an opportunity for a hearing under this section, impose a fine not to exceed $5,000 for each violation upon a person found to have engaged in an act or practice constituting a violation of a provision of this code or any rule or order issued under this code. The fine is in addition to all other penalties imposed by the laws of this state and must be collected by the commissioner in the name of the state of Montana and deposited in the general fund. Imposition of a fine under this subsection is an order from which an appeal may be taken pursuant to 33-1-711. If a person fails to pay a fine referred to in this subsection, the amount of the fine is a lien upon all of the assets and property of that person in this state and may be recovered by suit by the commissioner and deposited in the general fund. Failure of the person to pay a fine also constitutes a forfeiture of the right to do business in this state under this code.

History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 513, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 493, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 456, L. 2005.