1. Any person who violates, disobeys or disregards any term or provision of this chapter listed in section 71-1701, or of titles 17 through 21 inclusive of this article or of any lawful notice, order or regulation pursuant thereto for which a civil penalty is not otherwise expressly prescribed by law, shall be liable to the people of the state for a civil penalty of not to exceed one thousand dollars for every such violation.

2. The penalty provided for in subdivision one of this section may be recovered by an action brought by the commissioner in any court of competent jurisdiction.

3. Nothing in this section contained shall be construed to alter or repeal any existing provision of law declaring such violations or any of them to be misdemeanors or felonies or prescribing the penalty therefor.

4. Such civil penalty may be released or compromised by the commissioner before the matter has been referred to the Attorney General, and where such matter has been referred to the Attorney General, any such penalty may be released or compromised and any action commenced to recover the same may be settled and discontinued by the Attorney General with the consent of the commissioner.