65-34,144. Unlawful acts; penalties.

65-34,144

Chapter 65.--PUBLIC HEALTH
Article 34.--SOLID AND HAZARDOUS WASTE

      65-34,144.   Unlawful acts; penalties.(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to:

      (1)   Operate a drycleaning facility in violation of this act, rules andregulations adopted pursuant to this act or orders of the secretary pursuant tothis act;

      (2)   prevent or hinder a properly identified officer or employee of thedepartment or other authorized agent of the secretary from entering,inspecting,sampling or responding to a release as authorized by this act;

      (3)   knowingly make any false material statement or representation in anyrecord, report or other document filed, maintained or usedfor the purpose of compliance with this act;

      (4)   knowingly destroy, alter or conceal any record required to be maintainedby this act or rules and regulations adopted under this act;

      (5)   willfully allow a release orknowingly fail to make an immediate response to a releasein accordance with this act and rules and regulations pursuant to thisact.

      (b)   The director of the division ofenvironment, upon a finding that a person has violated a provision ofsubsection (a), may impose on such person an administrativepenalty in an amount not to exceed $500 for every violation.

      (c)   In assessing an administrative penalty under thissection, the director of the division ofenvironmentshall consider, when applicable, the following factors:

      (1)   The extent to which the violation presents a hazard to human health;

      (2)   the extent to which the violation has or may have an adverse effect onthe environment;

      (3)   the amount of the reasonable costs incurred by the state in detectionand investigation of the violation; and

      (4)   the economic savings realized by the person in not complying with theprovision for which a violation is charged.

      History:   L. 1995, ch. 162, § 5;L. 1999, ch. 102, § 1; July 1.