50-6-316. Criminal and civil penalties. - Montana Statutes

     50-6-316. Criminal and civil penalties. (1) Any person violating any provision of this part or any rule of the department or order issued by the department is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined not less than $50 or more than $100 for the first offense, not less than $75 or more than $200 for the second offense, and for third and subsequent offenses, not less than $200 or more than $500 or imprisoned in the county jail not to exceed 90 days.
     (2) A person who violates any provision of this part or any rule of the department or order issued by the department is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000 for each violation. Each day of violation constitutes a separate violation.
     (3) An action commenced under subsections (2) through (6) does not bar administrative enforcement of this part as provided in 50-6-327 or an injunction as provided in 50-6-326.
     (4) If the department has reason to believe that a person has violated any provision of this part or any rule of the department or order issued by the department, it shall bring an action in the name of the state against the person to impose, assess, and recover the civil penalties as provided in subsection (2).
     (5) Any civil penalty collected under subsections (2) through (6) is in lieu of the criminal penalty provided for in subsection (1).
     (6) All penalties collected under subsections (2) through (5) must be transmitted to the state treasurer for deposit in the state general fund.

     History: En. Sec. 9, Ch. 387, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 69-3612; amd. Sec. 15, Ch. 387, L. 1989; (2) thru (6)En. Sec. 16, Ch. 387, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 270, Ch. 546, L. 1995.