1. Violations of this chapter may be referred to the attorney general for appropriate action, except that nothing shall be construed as requiring the commission to refer to the attorney general violations of this chapter whenever the commission believes that the administration and enforcement of the regulations would be served adequately by administrative action under subsection 2 of this section or suitable written notice or warning to any person committing the violations.

2. Any person who fails or refuses to pay, collect, or remit any assessment or fee required of the person by this chapter may be assessed a civil penalty by the commission of not less than five hundred dollars nor more than five thousand dollars for each violation. Each violation shall be a separate offense. In addition, or in lieu of such civil penalty, the commission may issue an order requiring the person to cease-and-desist from continuing the violation. No penalty shall be assessed nor a cease-and-desist order issued unless the person is given notice and opportunity for a hearing before the commission with respect to the violation. The order of the commission assessing a penalty or imposing a cease-and-desist order shall be final and conclusive unless the person affected by the order files a petition for review under chapter 536. Any person who fails to obey a cease-and-desist order after it has become final shall be subject to a civil penalty assessed by the commission, after an opportunity for hearing before the commission, of not more than five hundred dollars for each offense. Each day that the failure continues shall be deemed a separate offense. If any person fails to pay an assessment of a civil penalty after it has become a final order, the commission shall refer the matter to the attorney general for recovery of the amount assessed in any appropriate circuit court of the state. In such action, the validity and appropriateness of the final order imposing the civil penalty shall not be subject to review.