(a) In addition to any other remedy available, the investigator may issue citations to persons acting in the capacity of or engaging in business within the State without having a license previously obtained under and in compliance with this chapter, the licensing laws for the respective profession or vocation, and the rules adopted thereunder.

Terms Used In Hawaii Revised Statutes 436B-26.5

  • Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
  • Department: means the department of commerce and consumer affairs. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 436B-2
  • Director: means the director of commerce and consumer affairs. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 436B-2
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • License: means the permission to engage in a profession or vocation granted by the applicable licensing authority to a person who has satisfied every requirement for licensure, and shall include any registration, certificate, or other document issued by the licensing authority reflecting proof of permission. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 436B-2
  • Licensing laws: means the applicable chapter providing for the regulation, licensing, and practice of a profession or vocation by the licensing authority. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 436B-2
  • Person: includes an individual, partnership, joint venture, corporation, association, business, trust, or any organized group of persons or legal entity, or any combination thereof. See Hawaii Revised Statutes 436B-2
  • Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
(b) Each citation shall be in writing and shall describe the basis of the citation, including the specific statutory provisions alleged to have been violated, and may contain an order of abatement, and an assessment of civil penalties as provided in this section. All penalties collected under this section shall be deposited in the special fund established under section Department of commerce and consumer affairs” class=”unlinked-ref” datatype=”S” sessionyear=”2019″ statecd=”HI”>26-9(o).
(c) Any person who violates this section shall be assessed a civil penalty of not more than $500 or forty per cent of the total amount of the goods and services provided or to be provided, whichever is greater, for the first violation; not more than $1,000 or forty per cent of the total amount of the goods and services provided or to be provided, whichever is greater, for the second violation; and not more than $5,000 or forty per cent of the total amount of the goods and services provided or to be provided, whichever is greater, for any subsequent violation.
(d) Service of a citation issued under this section shall be made by personal service or by certified mail, restricted delivery, sent to the last known business or residence address of the person cited.
(e) Any person cited under this section may submit a written request to the director for a hearing, within twenty days from the service of the citation, with respect to the violations alleged, the scope of the order of abatement, or the amount of the civil penalties assessed.
(f) If the person cited under this section timely notifies the director of the request for a hearing, the director shall afford an opportunity for a hearing under chapter 91. The hearing shall be conducted by the director or the director may designate a hearings officer to hold the hearing. The director or any hearings officer designated by the director shall have the power to issue subpoenas, administer oaths, hear testimony, find facts, make conclusions of law, and issue a final order.
(g) If the person cited under this section does not submit a written request to the director for a hearing within twenty days from the receipt of the citation, the citation shall be deemed a final order of the director.
(h) The director may apply to the appropriate court for a judgment to enforce the provisions of any final order issued by the director or designated hearings officer pursuant to this section, including the provision for abatement and civil penalties imposed.
(i) If any party is aggrieved by the decision of the director or the designated hearings officer, the party may appeal in the manner provided in chapter 91 to the circuit court of the circuit in which the party resides or has the party’s principal place of business or in which the action in question occurred. The operation of an abatement order shall not be stayed on appeal unless specifically ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction after applying the stay criteria enumerated in section 91-14(c).
(j) The sanctions and disposition authorized under this section shall be separate from and in addition to all other remedies either civil or criminal provided in any other applicable statutory provision.
(k) The director may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 necessary for the purpose of this section.