Fertilizing materials: violations: administrative penalty: filing of final judgment.

Under existing law, it is unlawful for a person to manufacture or distribute in the state a fertilizing material without complying with specific laws. Existing law requires the Department of Food and Agriculture to levy a civil penalty against a person who violates these laws in an amount of not more than $5,000 for each violation. Existing law requires a person, against whom a civil penalty is levied, to be afforded an opportunity for a hearing, as provided. Existing law authorizes these penalties to be recovered in a civil action brought in the name of the state. This bill would change the reference "civil penalty" to "administrative penalty" and would instead authorize the Secretary of Food and Agriculture to file a certified copy of the department's final decision that directs payment of an administrative penalty with the clerk of the superior court of any county that has jurisdiction over the matter. The bill would require the court to enter judgment immediately upon that filing, and at no cost.