Sec. 431.0585. CIVIL PENALTY. (a) At the request of the department, the attorney general or a district, county, or city attorney shall institute an action in district court to collect a civil penalty from a person who has violated Section 431.021.
(b) The civil penalty may not exceed $25,000 a day for each violation. Each day of violation constitutes a separate violation for purposes of the penalty assessment.
(c) The court shall consider the following in determining the amount of the penalty:
(1) the person's history of any previous violations of Section 431.021;
(2) the seriousness of the violation;
(3) any hazard posed to the public health and safety by the violation; and
(4) demonstrations of good faith by the person charged.
(d) Venue for a suit brought under this section is in the city or county in which the violation occurred or in Travis County.
(e) A civil penalty recovered in a suit instituted by a local government under this section shall be paid to that local government.
Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 14, Sec. 154, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.
Amended by:
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 3.0960, eff. April 2, 2015.
Structure Texas Statutes
Title 6 - Food, Drugs, Alcohol, and Hazardous Substances
Subtitle A - Food and Drug Health Regulations
Chapter 431 - Texas Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
Section 431.043. Access to Records
Section 431.044. Access to Records Showing Movement in Commerce
Section 431.045. Emergency Order
Section 431.046. Violation of Rules
Section 431.047. Violation; Injunction
Section 431.048. Detained or Embargoed Article
Section 431.049. Removal Order for Detained or Embargoed Article
Section 431.0495. Recall Orders
Section 431.051. Destruction of Article
Section 431.052. Correction by Proper Labeling or Processing
Section 431.053. Condemnation of Perishable Articles
Section 431.054. Administrative Penalty
Section 431.055. Administrative Penalty Assessment Procedure
Section 431.056. Payment of Administrative Penalty
Section 431.057. Refund of Administrative Penalty
Section 431.058. Recovery of Administrative Penalty by Attorney General
Section 431.0585. Civil Penalty
Section 431.059. Criminal Penalty; Defenses