2005 Washington Revised Code RCW 80.28.212: Safety rules — Civil penalty for violation of RCW 80.28.210 or regulations issued thereunder — Level of penalty — Compromise — Disposition of penalty.

Any gas company which violates any provision of RCW 80.28.210 as now exists or is later amended or of any regulation issued thereunder, shall be subject to a civil penalty to be directly assessed by the commission. The level of such penalty shall be set by rule by the commission and shall not exceed the penalties specified in federal pipeline safety laws (49 U.S.C. 60101 et seq.) in effect on July 23, 1995. Any civil penalty may be compromised by the commission. In determining the amount of the penalty, or the amount agreed upon and compromised, the appropriateness of the penalty to the size of the business of the person charged, the gravity of the violation, and the good faith of the gas company charged in attempting to achieve compliance after notification of the violation, shall be considered. The amount of the penalty, when finally determined, or the amount agreed upon and compromised, may be recovered in a civil action in the superior court of Thurston county or of some other county in which such violator may do business. In all such actions for recovery the procedure and rules of evidence shall be the same as in ordinary civil actions. All penalties recovered under this title shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the public service revolving fund.

[1995 c 247 § 1; 1969 ex.s. c 210 § 3.]