Sec. 71.059. CIVIL PENALTY; INJUNCTION. (a) A person who violates this subchapter or a rule adopted under this subchapter is liable to the state for a civil penalty of not less than $50 nor more than $1,000 for each violation. Each day a violation continues may be considered a separate violation for purposes of a civil penalty assessment.
(b) On request of the department, the attorney general or the county attorney or district attorney of the county in which the violation is alleged to have occurred shall file suit to collect the penalty.
(c) A civil penalty collected under this section shall be deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the General Revenue Fund. All civil penalties recovered in suits first instituted by a local government or governments under this section shall be equally divided between the State of Texas and the local government or governments with 50 percent of the recovery to be paid to the General Revenue Fund and the other 50 percent equally to the local government or governments first instituting the suit.
(d) The department is entitled to appropriate injunctive relief to prevent or abate a violation of this subchapter or a rule adopted under this subchapter. On request of the department, the attorney general or the county or district attorney of the county in which the alleged violation is threatened or is occurring shall file suit for the injunctive relief. Venue is in the county in which the alleged violation is threatened or is occurring.
Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 230, Sec. 57, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.
Structure Texas Statutes
Title 5 - Production, Processing, and Sale of Horticultural Products
Subtitle B - Horticultural Diseases and Pests
Subchapter B. Inspection of Nursery Products and Florist Items
Section 71.042. Duty of Department; Rules
Section 71.043. Annual Registration
Section 71.046. Treatment or Destruction of Diseased or Infested Plants or Premises
Section 71.047. Expense of Treatment
Section 71.048. Appeal of Notice or Order
Section 71.049. Enforcement of Notice or Order
Section 71.050. Certificate to Accompany Shipment
Section 71.051. Importation Certificates
Section 71.053. Inspection of Shipments
Section 71.054. Protection of Carriers From Liability; Reporting of Unlawful Shipments
Section 71.055. Revocation of Certificate
Section 71.056. Inspection Fees
Section 71.057. Nursery Dealers and Agents; Annual Registration