Sec. 12.507.  ALTERNATIVES TO SUSPENSION.  (a)  In lieu of suspending a license or permit under this subchapter, the department may give the licensee or permittee the opportunity to pay a civil penalty.
(b)  The department shall determine the amount of the penalty and in doing so shall consider:
(1)  the economic impact a suspension would have on the licensee or permittee engaging in a commercial activity under the license or permit;  or
(2)  the amount reasonably necessary to deter further violations.
(c)  The amount of the civil penalty may not be less than $150 for each day the license or permit was to have been suspended.
(d)  If the licensee or permittee does not pay the penalty before the sixth day after the date on which the department notifies him of the amount, he loses the opportunity to pay it and the department may impose the suspension.
(e)  Civil penalties received by the department under this section shall be deposited to the credit of the game, fish, and water safety account.
Added by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 267, art. 1, Sec. 36, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.  Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 679, Sec. 14, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.