114368.8. (a) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) of Section 114395, a violation of this part by an operator or employee of a compact mobile food operation is punishable only by an administrative fine.
(b) A violation of any provision of this part or regulation adopted pursuant to this part by an operator or employee of a compact mobile food operation or a sidewalk vendor shall not be punishable as an infraction or misdemeanor, and an operator or employee of a compact mobile food operation or a sidewalk vendor alleged to have violated any of those provisions is not subject to arrest except when independent grounds for that arrest exist under law.
(c) Except as provided in paragraph (d), each offense by an operator or employee of a compact mobile food operation or a sidewalk vendor may only be punished by a fine consistent with the following:
(1) A notice of violation detailing the violation, including the applicable provision of this part or regulation adopted pursuant to this part.
(2) An administrative fine not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100) for a second violation within one year of the first violation.
(3) An administrative fine not exceeding two hundred dollars ($200) for a third violation within one year of the first violation.
(4) An administrative fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500) for each additional violation within one year of the first violation.
(d) If a compact mobile food operation is required to obtain a permit from the enforcement agency, operating without a permit may be punishable by a fine not to exceed three times the cost of the permit in lieu of the administrative fines referenced in subdivision (c). An enforcement agency shall not issue any fines in excess of the amounts allowable pursuant to subdivision (c) prior to January 1, 2024.
(e) (1) When assessing an administrative fine for a first-time offense, pursuant to this section, the hearing officer shall take into consideration the person’s ability to pay the fine. The enforcement agency shall provide the person with notice of their right to request an ability-to-pay determination and shall make available instructions or other materials for requesting an ability-to-pay determination. The person may request an ability-to-pay determination at adjudication or while the judgment remains unpaid, including when a case is delinquent or has been referred to a comprehensive collection program.
(2) If the person meets the criteria described in subdivision (a) or (b) of Section 68632 of the Government Code, the enforcement agency shall accept, in full satisfaction, 20 percent of the administrative fine imposed pursuant to this section.
(3) The enforcement agency may waive the administrative fine or may offer an alternative disposition.
(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 489, Sec. 4. (SB 972) Effective January 1, 2023.)