52:27F-24. Violations; penalties; suspension or revocation of license; collection of penalties

a. Any person who violates any provision of section 15 (C. 52:27F-17) of this act, or any rule, regulation or order adopted pursuant thereto, shall be liable to a penalty of not more than $500.00 for the first offense and not more than $5,000.00 for the second or any subsequent offense.

b. In addition to any other penalties provided under this or any other act, the commissioner may recommend to the appropriate agency the suspension or revocation of the license of any retail dealer, gasoline jobber, wholesale dealer, distributor, or supplier of fuel, who has violated this act or any rules, regulations, or orders promulgated hereunder.

c. All penalties imposed pursuant to this section shall be collected in a civil action by a summary proceeding under the "penalty enforcement law" (N.J.S. 2A:58-1 et seq.). If the violation is of a continuing nature, each day during which it continues shall constitute an additional and separate offense. In addition to the jurisdiction conferred by N.J.S. 2A:58-2, the municipal court and the Superior Court shall have jurisdiction of proceedings initiated on or after June 20, 1979 for the enforcement of the penalties provided by this section.

d. The department may compromise and settle any claim for a penalty under this section in such amount in the discretion of the department as may appear appropriate and equitable under all of the circumstances.

L.1977, c. 146, s. 22, eff. July 11, 1977. Amended by L.1979, c. 187, s. 1, eff. Sept. 10, 1979; L.1980, c. 152, s. 2, eff. Nov. 22, 1980.