A. Any person who is determined by the secretary, after reasonable notice and opportunity for a fair and impartial hearing held in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, to have committed an act that is a violation of this Chapter or any regulation issued thereunder, is subject to a civil penalty of not more than twenty-five thousand dollars. If the violation is a continuing one, each day of violation shall constitute a separate offense.
B. 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; and any other matters that justice requires.
C. The secretary shall assess the amount of any civil penalty by a written notice to the violator.
D. Before referral under Section 1513, the secretary may compromise any civil penalty.
E. The secretary shall not subject a person to a civil penalty for a careless handling violation as defined in R.S. 32:1520(A) when that person or his representative reports an incident involving hazardous material that does not meet the reporting criteria as set forth in R.S. 32:1510.