Section 74-1-10 - Penalty.
74-1-10. Penalty.
A. A person who violates any regulation of the board is guilty of a petty misdemeanor. This section does not apply to any regulation for which a criminal penalty is otherwise provided by law.
B. Whenever, on the basis of any information, the secretary determines that a person has violated, is violating or threatens to violate any provision of Paragraph (2) or (3) of Subsection A of Section 74-1-8 NMSA 1978 or any rule, regulation or permit condition adopted and promulgated thereunder, the secretary may:
(1) issue a compliance order stating with reasonable specificity the nature of the violation or threatened violation, requiring compliance immediately or within a specified time period and assessing a civil penalty for any past or current violation, or both; or
(2) commence a civil action in district court for appropriate relief, including a temporary or permanent injunction.
C. An order issued pursuant to Subsection B of this section may include suspension or revocation of any permit issued by the department. Any penalty assessed in the order, except for residential on-site liquid waste systems, shall not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each violation. Any penalty assessed in the order for a residential on-site liquid waste system shall not exceed one hundred dollars ($100) for each violation. A penalty imposed for violation of drinking water regulations 20 NMAC 7.1 or permit conditions shall not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) per violation per day. In assessing the penalty, the secretary shall take into account the seriousness of the violation and any good-faith efforts to comply with the applicable requirements.
D. If a violator fails to take corrective actions within the time specified in the compliance order, the secretary shall:
(1) assess civil penalties of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each noncompliance with the order; and
(2) suspend or revoke any permit issued to the violator pursuant to Paragraph (3) of Subsection A of Section 74-1-8 NMSA 1978.
E. An order issued pursuant to this section shall become final unless, no later than thirty days after the order is served, the person named in the order submits a written request to the secretary for a hearing. Upon such a request, the secretary shall conduct a hearing. The secretary shall appoint an independent hearing officer to preside over the hearing. The hearing officer shall make and preserve a complete record of the proceedings and forward his recommendation based on the record to the secretary, who shall make the final decision.
F. In connection with any proceeding pursuant to this section, the secretary may issue subpoenas for the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of relevant papers, books and documents and may adopt and promulgate rules for discovery procedures.
G. Penalties collected pursuant to violations of rules, regulations or permit conditions adopted pursuant to Paragraph (3) of Subsection A of Section 74-1-8 NMSA 1978 shall be deposited in the state treasury to be credited to the general fund.
H. Penalties collected pursuant to violations of drinking water regulations 20 NMAC 7.1 or permit conditions pursuant to Paragraph (2) of Subsection A of Section 74-1-8 NMSA 1978 shall be deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the water conservation fund.