§ 25-12-17 - Violation of chapter by licensee or permittee
O.C.G.A. 25-12-17 (2010)
25-12-17. Violation of chapter by licensee or permittee
(a) The violation of any provision of this chapter or any rule or regulation adopted and promulgated pursuant to this chapter or the failure or refusal to comply with any notice or order to correct a violation or any cease and desist order by any person who possesses a license or permit issued pursuant to this chapter or who is required to have a license or permit issued pursuant to this chapter is cause for denial, nonrenewal, revocation, or suspension of such license or permit by the Commissioner after a determination that such person is guilty of such violations. An order of suspension shall state the period of time of such suspension, which period may not be in excess of two years from the date of such order. An order of revocation shall state the period of time of such revocation, which period may not be in excess of five years from the date of such order. Such order shall effect suspension or revocation of all licenses and permits then held by the person, and during such period of time no license or permit shall be issued to such person. During the suspension or revocation of any license or permit, the licensee or permittee whose license or permit has been suspended or revoked shall not engage in or attempt or profess to engage in any transaction or business for which a license or permit is required under this chapter or directly or indirectly own, control, or be employed in any manner by any firm, business, or corporation for which a license or permit under this chapter is required. If, during the period between the beginning of proceedings and the entry of an order of suspension or revocation by the Commissioner, a new license or permit has been issued to the person so charged, the order of suspension or revocation shall operate to suspend or revoke, as the case may be, such new license or permit held by such person.
(b) The department shall not, so long as the revocation or suspension remains in effect, issue any new license or permit for the establishment of any new firm, business, or corporation of any person or applicant that has or will have the same or similar management, ownership, control, employees, permittees, or licensees or will use the same or a similar name as the revoked or suspended firm, business, corporation, person, or applicant.
(c) The Commissioner may deny, nonrenew, suspend, or revoke the license or permit of:
(1) Any person, firm, business, or corporation whose license has been suspended or revoked under this chapter;
(2) Any firm, business, or corporation if any officer, director, stockholder, owner, or person who has a direct or indirect interest in the firm, business, or corporation has had his or her license or permit suspended under this chapter; and
(3) Any person who is or has been an officer, director, stockholder, or owner of a firm, business, or corporation or who has or had a direct or indirect interest in a firm, business, or corporation whose license or permit has been suspended or revoked under this chapter.
(d) In addition to the grounds set forth in this Code section, it is cause for denial, nonrenewal, revocation, or suspension of a license or permit by the Commissioner if he or she determines that the licensee or permittee has:
(1) Rendered inoperative a portable fire extinguisher or preengineered or engineered fire suppression system covered by this chapter, except during such time as the extinguisher or preengineered or engineered system is being inspected, recharged, hydrotested, repaired, altered, added to, maintained, serviced, or tested or except pursuant to court order;
(2) Falsified any record required to be maintained by this chapter or rules or regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter or current fire codes enforced by the Commissioner;
(3) Improperly installed, recharged, hydrotested, repaired, serviced, modified, altered, inspected, or tested a portable fire extinguisher or preengineered or engineered fire suppression system;
(4) While holding a permit or license, allowed another person to use the permit or license or permit number or license number or used a license or permit or license number or permit number other than his or her own valid license or permit or license number or permit number;
(5) Failed to provide proof of or failed to maintain the minimum comprehensive liability insurance coverage as set forth in paragraph (3) of Code Section 25-12-11;
(6) Failed to obtain, retain, or maintain one or more of the qualifications for a license or permit required by this chapter;
(7) Used credentials, methods, means, or practices to impersonate a representative of the Commissioner or the state fire marshal or any local fire chief, fire marshal, or other fire authority having jurisdiction;
(8) Installed, recharged, hydrotested, repaired, serviced, modified, altered, inspected, maintained, added to, or tested a portable fire extinguisher or preengineered or engineered fire suppression system without a current, valid license or permit when such license or permit is required by this chapter;
(9) Made a material misstatement or misrepresentation or committed a fraud in obtaining or attempting to obtain a license or permit; or
(10) Failed to notify the Commissioner, in writing, within 30 days after a change of residence, principal business address, or name.
(e) In addition, the Commissioner shall not issue a new license or permit if the Commissioner finds that the circumstance or circumstances for which the license or permit was previously suspended or revoked still exist or are likely to recur.