Sec. 7.053.  FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED IN DETERMINATION OF PENALTY AMOUNT.  In determining the amount of an administrative penalty, the commission shall consider:
(1)  the nature, circumstances, extent, duration, and gravity of the prohibited act, with special emphasis on the impairment of existing water rights or the hazard or potential hazard created to the health or safety of the public;
(2)  the impact of the violation on:
(A)  air quality in the region;
(B)  a receiving stream or underground water reservoir;
(C)  instream uses, water quality, aquatic and wildlife habitat, or beneficial freshwater inflows to bays and estuaries;  or
(D)  affected persons;
(3)  with respect to the alleged violator:
(A)  the history and extent of previous violations;
(B)  the degree of culpability, including whether the violation was attributable to mechanical or electrical failures and whether the violation could have been reasonably anticipated and avoided;
(C)  the demonstrated good faith, including actions taken by the alleged violator to rectify the cause of the violation and to compensate affected persons;
(D)  economic benefit gained through the violation;  and
(E)  the amount necessary to deter future violations;  and
(4)  any other matters that justice may require.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1072, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.