(a)        In addition to taking any of the actions permitted under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 89G-11, the Board may assess a civil penalty not in excess of two thousand dollars ($2,000) for each violation of any section of this Chapter or the violation of any rules adopted by the Board. The clear proceeds of any civil penalty assessed under this section shall be remitted to the Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund in accordance with N.C. Gen. Stat. § 115C-457.2

(b)        Before imposing and assessing a civil penalty and fixing the amount of the penalty, the Board shall, as a part of its deliberations, take into consideration the following factors:

(1)        The nature, gravity, and persistence of the particular violation.

(2)        The appropriateness of the imposition of a civil penalty when considered alone or in combination with other punishment.

(3)        Whether the violation was willful and malicious.

(4)        Any other factors that would tend to mitigate or aggravate the violation found to exist.

(c)        Schedule of Civil Penalties. – The Board shall establish a schedule of civil penalties for violations of this Chapter and rules adopted by the Board. ?(2008-177, s. 1.)