A. Payment of taxes under this section shall be made no later than thirty days after the end of each calendar quarter when taxes are applicable in accordance with § 45.1-270.4. The Division shall notify each operator holding a permit under Chapter 19 (§ 45.1-226 et seq.) of this title of those periods during which the taxes are applicable, and shall provide forms for reporting coal production figures subject to taxes and shall collect all taxes for the Fund.

B. Pursuant to regulations promulgated by the Director, and consistent with the provisions of § 45.1-248, all funds paid into the Fund, and interest accrued to the Fund, shall be available for the completion of defaulted reclamation plans filed pursuant to § 45.1-236. From the interest accrued to the Fund, amounts sufficient to properly administer the Fund are hereby appropriated to the Division. The Director shall also promulgate regulations for the implementation of this article and for the collection of taxes hereunder.

C. The Division, upon advance written request to an operator, may audit the relevant books and records of the operator upon which taxes paid under this section are based. Failure to consent to a reasonable request for the audit shall be deemed a violation of this article by the operator.

D. Upon the failure of an operator to pay taxes when due under this section, the Division shall issue a notice of violation pursuant to § 45.1-245 B. The notice of violation shall state that upon failure of payment within fifteen days thereafter, the Division shall issue a cessation order to the operator for failure to abate the notice of violation. Upon the issuance of the cessation order, the enforcement procedures set forth in § 45.1-245 et seq. shall apply. Civil penalties imposed upon an operator pursuant to a violation of this article shall be placed in the Fund.

1982, c. 334; 1984, c. 590.