This section lets the board and director handle administrative penalties, requires a charged person to pay or seek judicial review within 30 days after the decision is final, and allows collection and injunctive actions if the penalty is not paid or reviewed.
Sec. 1201.611. SANCTIONS AND PENALTIES. (a) The board shall adopt rules relating to the administrative sanctions that may be enforced against a person regulated by the department. (b) If a person charged with the violation accepts the determination of the director, the director shall issue an order approving the determination and ordering that the person pay the recommended penalty. (c) Not later than the 30th day after the date on which the decision is final, the person charged shall: (1) pay the penalty in full; or (2) if the person files a petition for judicial review contesting the fact of the violation, the amount of the penalty, or both the fact of the violation and the amount of the penalty: (A) forward the amount assessed to the department for deposit in an escrow account; (B) in lieu of payment into escrow, post with the department a supersedeas bond for the amount of the penalty, in a form approved by the director and effective until judicial review of the decision is final; or (C) without paying the amount of the penalty or posting the supersedeas bond, pursue judicial review. (d) A person charged with a penalty who is financially unable to comply with Subsection (c)(2) is entitled to judicial review if the person files with the court, as part of the person's petition for judicial review, a sworn statement that the person is unable to meet the requirements of that subsection. (e) If the person charged does not pay the penalty and does not pursue judicial review, the department or the attorney general may bring an action for the collection of the penalty. (f) Judicial review of the order of the director assessing the penalty is subject to the substantial evidence rule and shall be instituted by filing a petition with a district court in Travis County. (g) If, after judicial review, the penalty is reduced or not assessed, the director shall remit to the person charged the appropriate amount, plus accrued interest if the penalty has been paid, or shall execute a release of the bond if a supersedeas bond has been posted. The accrued interest on amounts remitted by the director under this subsection shall be paid at a rate equal to the rate charged on loans to depository institutions by the New York Federal Reserve Bank and shall be paid for the period beginning on the date the assessed penalty is paid to the director and ending on the date the penalty is remitted. (h) Repealed by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 408 (H.B. 2019), Sec. 85(8), eff. September 1, 2017. (i) All proceedings conducted under this section and any review or appeal of those proceedings are subject to Chapter 2001, Government Code. (j) If it appears that a person is in violation of, or is threatening to violate, any provision of this chapter or a rule or order related to the administration and enforcement of the manufactured housing program, the attorney general, on behalf of the director, may institute an action for injunctive relief to restrain the person from continuing the violation and for civil penalties not to exceed $1,000 for each violation and not exceeding $250,000 in the aggregate. A civil action filed under this subsection shall be filed in district court in Travis County. The attorney general and the director may recover reasonable expenses incurred in obtaining injunctive relief under this subsection, including court costs, reasonable attorney's fees, investigative costs, witness fees, and deposition expenses. Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 863 (H.B. 1460), Sec. 63, eff. January 1, 2008. Amended by: Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 408 (H.B. 2019), Sec. 85(8), eff. September 1, 2017.