(a) If the commissioner finds after hearing that any person has violated any provision of this article he or she may order any of the following:
(1) For each separate violation, a penalty in an amount not to exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000).
(2) Revocation or suspension of the producer’s license.
(b) Hearings held pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, except that the hearings shall be conducted by administrative law judges chosen under Section 11502 or appointed by the commissioner.
(c) The decision, determination, or order of the commissioner pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be subject to judicial review.
(d) Nothing contained in this section shall affect the right of the commissioner to impose any other penalties provided for in this code, nor limit any other authority required or authorized by this code to be exercised by the commissioner.
(e) Nothing contained in this article is intended to or shall in any manner limit or restrict the rights of policyholders, claimants, and auditors.
(Added by Stats. 1991, Ch. 686, Sec. 1.)