House Bill 526 Summary

• Allows the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to assess civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation, with each day of continued violation constituting a separate violation subject to "other like civil penalties as determined by the commission."

• Specifies that civil penalties do not begin to accrue until the date notice of violation and opportunity for a hearing are given to the violator.

• Establishes that persons charged with civil penalties must be given notice and opportunity for a hearing pursuant to Idaho Code chapter 52, title 67, before penalties can be assessed.

• Makes knowing violations of oil and gas provisions or knowing interference with commission agents or employees a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $5,000, imprisonment in county jail for up to 12 months, or both.

• Allows the commission to resolve minor violations through warnings or other administrative action without prosecution when it determines public interest is best served.