A.  After reasonable notice and opportunity for a fair and impartial hearing to be held in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, any person who is determined by the secretary to have committed an act that is 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 any rule adopted under the provisions of this Chapter for such activities, is subject to a civil penalty of not more than one thousand dollars.

B. The secretary shall determine and assess the amount of any civil penalty.  In determining the amount of the penalty, the secretary shall take into account the nature, circumstances, extent, and gravity of the violation; the degree of culpability of the person charged; the person’s history of previous offenses and ability to pay; the effect of the penalty on the person’s ability to continue to operate his business or maintain his employment; and any other matter that justice requires.

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