Additional penalties for saltwater products dealers violating records requirements.

(1) The commission may revoke, suspend, or deny the renewal of the license of any saltwater products dealer for failure to make and keep records as required by s. 379.362, for failure to make required reports, for failure or refusal to permit the examination of required records, or for falsifying any such record. In addition to other applicable penalties, or in lieu of, the commission may impose against any person, firm, or corporation who is determined to have violated any provision of s. 379.362 or any provisions of any commission rules adopted pursuant to s. 379.407, the following additional penalties:

(a) For the first violation, a civil penalty of up to $1,000;

(b) For a second violation committed within 24 months of any previous violation, a civil penalty of up to $2,500; and

(c) For a third or subsequent violation committed within 36 months of any previous two violations, a civil penalty of up to $5,000.

(2) The proceeds of all civil penalties collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the Marine Resources Conservation Trust Fund and shall be used for administration, auditing, and law enforcement purposes.