Sec. 401.384. ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY. (a) The department may assess an administrative penalty as provided by this section and Sections 401.385-401.390 against a person who causes, suffers, allows, or permits a violation of a provision of this chapter relating to an activity under the department's jurisdiction, a rule adopted by the executive commissioner under this chapter, an order issued by the department under this chapter, or a condition of a license or registration issued by the department under this chapter.

(b) The penalty for each violation may not exceed $10,000 a day for a person who violates this chapter or a rule, order, license, or registration issued under this chapter. Each day a violation continues may be considered a separate violation.

(c) In determining the amount of the penalty, the department shall consider:

(1) the seriousness of the violation, including the nature, circumstances, extent, and gravity of the prohibited acts and the hazard or potential hazard created to the public health or safety;

(2) the history of previous violations;

(3) the amount necessary to deter future violations;

(4) efforts to correct the violation; and

(5) any other matters that justice requires.

Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 11.238, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1072, Sec. 52, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1009, Sec. 6, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.

Amended by:

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 3.0924, eff. April 2, 2015.