1. If the Administrator reasonably believes, whether or not based upon an investigation conducted under NRS 90.620, that:

(a) The sale of a security is subject to registration under this chapter and the security is being offered or has been offered or sold by the issuer or another person in violation of NRS 90.460; or

(b) A person is acting as a broker-dealer or investment adviser in violation of NRS 90.310 or 90.330,

the Administrator, in addition to any specific power granted under this chapter and subject to compliance with the requirements of NRS 90.820, may issue, without a prior hearing, a summary order against the person engaged in the prohibited activities, directing the person to desist and refrain from further activity until the security is registered or the person is licensed under this chapter. The summary order to cease and desist must state the section of this chapter or regulation or order of the Administrator under this chapter which the Administrator reasonably believes has been or is being violated.

2. If the Administrator reasonably believes, whether or not based upon an investigation conducted under NRS 90.620, that a person has violated this chapter or a regulation or order of the Administrator under this chapter, the Administrator, in addition to any specific power granted under this chapter, after giving notice by registered or certified mail and conducting a hearing in an administrative proceeding, unless the right to notice and hearing is waived by the person against whom the sanction is imposed, may:

(a) Issue an order against the person to cease and desist;

(b) Censure the person if he or she is a licensed broker-dealer, sales representative, investment adviser or representative of an investment adviser;

(c) Bar or suspend the person from association with a licensed broker-dealer or investment adviser in this State;

(d) Issue an order against an applicant, licensed person or other person who willfully violates this chapter, imposing a civil penalty of not more than $25,000 for each violation or, if the violation was committed against an older person or vulnerable person, a civil penalty equal to twice the amount of the civil penalty that would otherwise have been imposed pursuant to this paragraph, not to exceed $50,000 for each violation; or

(e) Initiate one or more of the actions specified in NRS 90.640.

3. If the person to whom the notice is addressed pursuant to subsection 2 does not request a hearing within 45 days after receipt of the notice, the person waives the right to a hearing and the Administrator shall issue a permanent order. If a hearing is requested, the Administrator shall set the matter for hearing not less than 15 days nor more than 60 days after the Administrator receives the request for a hearing. The Administrator shall promptly notify the parties by registered or certified mail of the time and place set for the hearing.

4. Imposition of the sanctions under this section is limited as follows:

(a) If the Administrator revokes the license of a broker-dealer, sales representative, investment adviser or representative of an investment adviser or bars a person from association with a licensed broker-dealer or investment adviser under this section or NRS 90.420, the imposition of that sanction precludes imposition of a civil penalty under subsection 2; and

(b) The imposition by the Administrator of one or more sanctions under subsection 2 with respect to a specific violation precludes the Administrator from later imposing any other sanctions under paragraphs (a) to (d), inclusive, of subsection 2 with respect to the violation.

5. For the purposes of determining any sanction to be imposed pursuant to paragraphs (a) to (d), inclusive, of subsection 2, the Administrator shall consider, among other factors, the frequency and persistence of the conduct constituting a violation of this chapter, or a regulation or order of the Administrator under this chapter, the number of persons adversely affected by the conduct and the resources of the person committing the violation.

6. If a sanction is imposed pursuant to this section, reimbursement for the costs of the proceeding, including investigative costs and attorney’s fees incurred, may be ordered and recovered by the Administrator. Money recovered for reimbursement of the investigative costs and attorney’s fees must be deposited with the State Treasurer for credit to the State General Fund.

7. As used in this section:

(a) “Older person” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 200.5092.

(b) “Vulnerable person” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 200.5092.

(Added to NRS by 1987, 2180; A 1989, 160; 1993, 894; 1995, 1451; 2009, 2561; 2015, 2022; 2017, 1320)