Excavators who violate listed sections can face civil penalties, and repeat violations can increase the penalty. If the county attorney or district attorney does not sue, the board may issue a warning letter and require safety training. Residential owners excavating their own residential lot are exempt.
Sec. 251.201. CIVIL PENALTY OR WARNING LETTER. (a) An excavator that violates Section 251.151, 251.152, or 251.159 is liable for a civil penalty of not less than $500 or more than $1,000. If a county attorney or district attorney decides not to bring an action to recover the civil penalty, the board of directors of the corporation may, in accordance with Section 251.2011, give the excavator a warning letter and require the excavator to attend a safety training course approved by the board. The county attorney or district attorney shall notify the board of its decision. (a-1) An excavator that violates Section 251.155(d) is liable for a civil penalty of not less than $1,000 or more than $2,000. If a county attorney or district attorney decides not to bring an action to recover the civil penalty, the board of directors of the corporation may, in accordance with Section 251.2011, give the excavator a warning letter and require the excavator to attend a safety training course approved by the board. The county attorney or district attorney shall notify the board of its decision. (b) Except as provided by Subsection (b-1), if it is found at the trial on a civil penalty that the excavator has violated this chapter and has been assessed a penalty under this section or has received a warning letter from the board one other time before the first anniversary of the date of the most recent violation, the excavator is liable for a civil penalty of not less than $1,000 or more than $2,000. (b-1) If it is found at the trial on a civil penalty that the excavator has violated Section 251.155(d) and has been assessed a penalty under this section or has received a warning letter from the board one other time before the first anniversary of the date of the most recent violation, the excavator is liable for a civil penalty of not less than $2,000 or more than $5,000. (c) Except as provided by Subsection (c-1), if it is found at the trial on a civil penalty that the excavator has violated this chapter and has been assessed a penalty under this section at least two other times before the first anniversary of the date of the most recent violation, or has been assessed a penalty at least one other time before the first anniversary of the date of the most recent violation and has received a warning letter from the board during that period, the excavator is liable for a civil penalty of not less than $2,000 or more than $5,000. (c-1) If it is found at the trial on a civil penalty that the excavator has violated Section 251.155(d) and has been assessed a penalty under this section at least two other times before the first anniversary of the date of the most recent violation, or has been assessed a penalty at least one other time before the first anniversary of the date of the most recent violation and has received a warning letter from the board during that period, the excavator is liable for a civil penalty of not less than $5,000 or more than $10,000. (d) In assessing the civil penalty the court shall consider the actual damage to the facility, the effect of the excavator's actions on the public health and safety, whether the violation was a wilful act, and any good faith of the excavator in attempting to achieve compliance. (e) Venue for a proceeding to collect a civil penalty under this section is in the county in which: (1) all or part of the alleged violation occurred; (2) the defendant has its principal place of business in this state; or (3) the defendant resides, if in this state. (f) The appropriate county attorney or criminal district attorney shall bring the action to recover the civil penalty. (g) This section does not apply to a residential property owner excavating on the property owner's own residential lot. Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 62, Sec. 18.17(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 652, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2001. Amended by: Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 184 (S.B. 1217), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2011.