Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 75. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

CHAPTER 11. UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS

Part 5. Montana Underground Storage Tank Act

Civil Penalties

75-11-516. Civil penalties. (1) (a) A person who violates any provision of this part, a rule adopted under this part, or an order of the department or the board is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000 for each violation. Each day of violation constitutes a separate violation.

(b) Penalties assessed under this subsection (1) must be determined in accordance with the penalty factors in 75-1-1001.

(2) The department may institute and maintain in the name of the state any enforcement proceedings under this section. Upon request of the department, the attorney general or the county attorney of the county of violation shall petition the district court to impose, assess, and recover the civil penalty. Penalties are also recoverable in an action brought by the department. The action must be brought in the district court of the county in which the violation occurred.

(3) Action under this section does not bar enforcement of this part, rules adopted under this part, or orders of the department or the board.

(4) Money collected under this section must be deposited in the state general fund.

History: En. Sec. 12, Ch. 112, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 20, Ch. 487, L. 2005; amd. Sec. 41, Ch. 535, L. 2021.