§ 37:2164 — Violations; civil penalty; jurisdiction

§2164. Violations; civil penalty; jurisdiction
A. Any person who violates any provision of this Chapter shall, after notice and a
hearing, be liable to the board for a fine of up to ten percent of the total contract or the value
of the work bid or being performed for which there is a violation. In addition to the fine, the
board may impose administrative costs and attorney fees for each offense. In determining the
amount of the administrative penalty, the board or residential subcommittee shall consider
the circumstances and seriousness of the violation, cooperation on the part of the contractor,
and the history of previous violations.
B. A monetary penalty assessed by the board or the residential subcommittee is
payable within ninety days or as provided by law. Failure to pay an outstanding penalty may
be cause to deny issuance or renewal of a license or registration and may be subject to
collection efforts as provided by law.
C. In addition to or in lieu of the criminal penalties and administrative sanctions
provided in this Chapter, the board may issue an order to cease and desist to any person or
firm engaged in any activity, conduct, or practice constituting a violation of any provision
of this Chapter. The order shall be issued in the name of the state of Louisiana under the
official seal of the board.
D. If the person or firm to whom the board directs a cease and desist order does not
cease or desist the proscribed activity, conduct, or practice immediately, the board may cause
to issue in any court of competent jurisdiction and proper venue a writ of injunction
enjoining the person or firm from engaging in any activity, conduct, or practice prohibited
by this Chapter.
E. Upon proper showing by the board that a person or firm has engaged or is engaged
in any activity, conduct, or practice prohibited by this Chapter, the court shall issue a
temporary restraining order restraining the person or firm from engaging in the unlawful
activity, conduct, or practice pending the hearing on a preliminary injunction. In due course,
a permanent injunction shall be issued after a hearing, commanding the cessation of the
unlawful activity, conduct, or practice without the board having to give bond. A temporary
restraining order, preliminary injunction, or permanent injunction issued pursuant to the
provisions of this Section shall not be subject to being released upon bond.
F. In the suit for an injunction, the board may demand of the defendant a penalty as
provided in Subsection A of this Section. A judgment for penalty, attorney fees, and costs
may be rendered in the same judgment in which the injunction is made absolute. If the board
brings an action against a person pursuant to the provisions of this Section and fails to prove
its case, then it shall be liable to the person for the payment of his attorney fees and costs.
G. The trial of the proceeding by injunction shall be summary and by the judge
without a jury.
H. Anyone violating this Chapter who fails to cease work, after proper hearing and
notification from the board, shall not be eligible to apply for a contractor's license for a
period not to exceed one year from the date of official notification to cease work.
I. All fines or penalties collected by the board pursuant to the provisions of this
Section for violations of any provision of this Chapter shall, annually, at each audit of the
board, be transferred to a separate contractor's educational trust fund to be used for
educational purposes as determined by the trustees of the fund. The Construction Education
Trust Fund shall make an audited financial report to the board annually.
J. Upon the expiration of the delays set forth in the Administrative Procedure Act for
an aggrieved party to appeal any fine or penalty assessed by the board, if an appeal has not
been so filed, the board may initiate civil proceedings against the party seeking to obtain a
judgment against that party in an amount equivalent to the amount of the fine assessed,
together with legal interest and all reasonable attorney fees incurred by the board in bringing
the action. The proceedings shall be conducted on a summary basis, with the defendant being
limited to the defense of lack of notice as to the meeting of the board during which the fine
was assessed. All proceedings brought pursuant to the provisions of this Subsection shall lie
in any court of competent jurisdiction in this state.
K. In addition to all other authority granted to the board by the provisions of this
Chapter, the board shall have the authority to cause to be issued to any person who is alleged
to have violated any of the provisions of this Chapter a citation setting forth the nature of the
alleged violation, which provides to that person the option of either pleading no contest to
the charge and paying a fine to the board prescribed by any provision of this Chapter or
appearing at an administrative hearing conducted by the board regarding the alleged
violation. The citations may be issued by any authorized employee of the board and may be
issued either in person, by certified mail with a return receipt, or by email with a read receipt
from the noticed person. This Subsection shall not be applicable to any criminal enforcement
action brought pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter.

Legislative History

Acts 1989, No. 559, §1; Acts 1992, No. 681, §1, eff. July 6, 1992; Acts 2022, No. 195, §1; Acts 2025, No. 422, §1.