(a) In lieu of civil prosecution, the secretary or the commissioner may levy a civil penalty against any person violating this division or any regulation adopted pursuant to its provisions. Except as provided in subdivisions (b) and (c), the civil penalty for each violation shall be, for a first violation, a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500). For a second or subsequent violation, the fine shall be not less than one hundred dollars ($100), nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000).
(b) The secretary or the commissioner may, for a first violation, levy a civil penalty not to exceed three thousand dollars ($3,000) for each violation of Section 42945, 42948, 42949, 42951, subdivision (b) of Section 44971, Section 44972, subdivision (c) of Section 44974, or Section 44986.
(c) The secretary or the commissioner may, for a first violation, levy a civil penalty not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500) for each violation of Section 44973, 44982, 44983, 44984, 45031, 45034, or 45035. For a second or subsequent violation, or for a violation involving avocados worth five hundred dollars ($500) or more, the fine shall be not less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250) nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000).
(d) Before a civil penalty is levied, the person charged with the violation shall receive notice of the nature of the violation and shall be given an opportunity to be heard. This shall include the right to review the evidence and a right to present evidence on his or her own behalf.
(e) The person fined may appeal to the secretary within 10 days of the date of receiving notification of the fine. The following procedures apply to the appeal:
(1) The appeal need not be formal, but it shall be in writing and signed by the appellant or his or her authorized agent, and shall state the grounds for the appeal.
(2) Any party may, at the time of filing the appeal or within 10 days thereafter, present written evidence and a written argument to the secretary.
(3) The secretary may grant oral arguments upon application made at the time written arguments are filed.
(4) If an application to present an oral argument is granted, written notice of the time and place for the oral argument shall be given at least 10 days before the date set for the oral argument. The times may be altered by mutual agreement.
(5) The secretary shall decide the appeal on any oral or written argument, brief, and evidence that he or she has received.
(6) The secretary shall render a written decision within 45 days of the date of appeal or within 15 days of the date of oral arguments.
(7) On an appeal pursuant to this section, the secretary may sustain, modify by reducing the amount of the fine, or reverse the decision of the commissioner. A copy of the secretary’s decision shall be delivered or mailed to the appellant and the commissioner.
(8) Review of the decision of the secretary may be sought by the appellant pursuant to Section 1094.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
(f) After the exhaustion of the appeal and review procedures provided in this section, the commissioner, or his or her representative, may file a certified copy of a final decision of the commissioner that directs the payment of a civil penalty and, if applicable, a copy of any decision of the secretary, or his or her representative, rendered on an appeal from the commissioner’s decision, and a copy of any order that denies a petition for a writ of administrative mandamus, with the clerk of the superior court of any county. Judgment shall be entered immediately by the clerk in conformity with the decision or order. Pursuant to Section 6103 of the Government Code, the clerk of the superior court shall not charge a fee for the performance of any official service required in connection with the entry of judgment pursuant to this section.
(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 71, Sec. 61. (SB 1304) Effective January 1, 2015.)