§1313.  Recovery of civil penalties

A.  After due process, the secretary shall notify, either by certified mail or in person, any person found in violation of the provisions of this Chapter relative to the operation of an official inspection station or the actual conduct of a motor vehicle safety inspection, or in violation of any rules adopted under the provisions of this Chapter for such activities, of the penalty assessed.  If the penalty assessed has not been received by the secretary within thirty calendar days after notification of the assessment, the secretary may order the suspension of the motor vehicle inspection station license.  For offenses involving the mechanic inspector rather than the station, the secretary may order the suspension of the certificate authorizing the mechanic to inspect motor vehicles.  Upon receipt by the secretary of the penalty assessed, the license or certificate shall be reinstated.

B.  All civil penalties collected pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter shall be deposited into the state treasury and, after compliance with Article VII, Section 9 of the Constitution of Louisiana relative to the Bond Security and Redemption Fund, shall be deposited into the state general fund.

C.  The secretary shall adopt and promulgate rules and regulations in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act to implement the assessment of the civil penalty.

Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 128, §1, eff. July 7, 1994; Acts 2001, No. 1185, §3, eff. July 1, 2001.