(a) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), a person who for compensation attempts to influence or affect the outcome of a commission decision or action and who violates Section 30327.5 may, in addition to any other applicable penalty, be barred from any activity seeking to influence or affect the outcome of a commission decision or action for a period of up to one year from the date of the finding of the violation. Each violation shall be grounds for the person being barred from any activity seeking to influence or affect a commission decision or action for an additional year from the date of conviction.

(2) This section does not prohibit an individual from representing the individual’s own self in seeking to influence or affect the outcome of a commission decision or action if that individual is acting solely on their own personal behalf and not on behalf of another person or entity.

(b) A person who violates Section 30327.5 shall, in addition to any other applicable penalty, be subject to a civil fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500) for each violation.

(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 97, Sec. 11. (SB 1497) Effective January 1, 2023.)