Arizona § 40-442 - Civil penalty for violation; deduction; other remedies

§ 40-442. Civil penalty for violation; deduction; other remedies

A. Any person, firm or corporation that violates any provision of this article or any rule or order adopted pursuant to this article pertaining to the safety of the transportation of gas and hazardous liquids and pipeline facilities shall be subject to a civil penalty of not to exceed two hundred thousand dollars for each violation with each day constituting a separate violation. The maximum civil penalty shall not exceed two million dollars for any related series of violations.

B. Any civil penalty pertaining to gas and hazardous liquid pipeline safety may be compromised by the commission.  In determining the amount of the penalty, or the amount agreed upon in compromise, the appropriateness of the penalty to the size of the business of the person, firm or corporation charged, the gravity of the violation and the good faith of the person, firm or corporation charged in attempting to achieve compliance, after notification of a violation, shall be considered.  The amount of the penalty, when finally determined, or the amount agreed upon in compromise, may be deducted from any sums owing by the state to the person, firm or corporation charged or may be recovered in a civil action in the superior court of this state.

C. All monies collected from civil penalties assessed pursuant to this article and any fines collected by the commission in enforcing this article and rules relating to pipeline safety shall be deposited, pursuant to sections 35-146 and 35-147, in the state general fund.

D. The commission may avail itself of any other authority or remedies available under the Constitution of Arizona and this chapter to effect the purpose of this article, including the provisions of article 9 of this chapter.