75-11-223. Civil and administrative penalties. (1) (a) A person who violates a provision of this part, a rule adopted under this part, or an order of the department or the board is subject to an administrative penalty not to exceed $500 for each violation or a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000 for each violation. If an installer or an inspector who is an employee is in violation, the employer of that installer or that inspector is the entity that is subject to the provisions of this section unless the violation is the result of a grossly negligent or willful act. Each day of violation of this part, a rule adopted under this part, or an order constitutes a separate violation.
(b) Penalties assessed under this subsection (1) must be determined in accordance with the penalty factors in 75-1-1001.
(2) The department may institute and maintain in the name of the state any enforcement proceedings under this section. The enforcement or collection action must be brought in the district court of the county in which the violation occurred. Upon request of the department, the attorney general or the county attorney of the county where the violation occurred shall petition the district court to impose, assess, and recover the civil penalty.
(3) Action under this section does not bar:
(a) enforcement of this part, rules adopted under this part, orders of the department or the board, or terms of a license or permit by injunction or other appropriate remedy; or
(b) action under 75-11-224.
History: En. Sec. 14, Ch. 594, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 433, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 8, Ch. 506, L. 1999; amd. Secs. 6, 11, Ch. 443, L. 2005; amd. Sec. 19, Ch. 487, L. 2005; amd. Sec. 40, Ch. 535, L. 2021.
Structure Montana Code Annotated
Title 75. Environmental Protection
Chapter 11. Underground Storage Tanks
Part 2. Montana Underground Storage Tank Installer and Inspector Licensing and Permitting Act
75-11-202. Intent, findings, and purpose
75-11-204. Rulemaking authority
75-11-205. through 75-11-208 reserved
75-11-209. Permits -- requirement for licensed installer
75-11-210. Licensing -- interim licenses -- regular licenses
75-11-212. Permits -- application procedure -- issuance
75-11-213. Inspection of installations and closures -- fee
75-11-214. Licensing of inspectors -- interim licenses -- regular licenses
75-11-218. Administrative enforcement
75-11-221. and 75-11-222 reserved
75-11-223. Civil and administrative penalties
75-11-225. Compliance with other laws -- limitation on local ordinances
75-11-226. Application of other law
75-11-227. Underground storage tank license and permit account
75-11-228. through 75-11-230 reserved
75-11-232. Closure of tanks under section 1, Chapter 641, Laws of 1993