Powers of department.

(1) The department may propound to any corporation subject to this chapter, and to any officer or director thereof, such interrogatories as may be reasonably necessary and proper to enable it to ascertain whether the corporation has complied with all applicable filing provisions of this chapter. Such interrogatories must be answered within 30 days after mailing or within such additional time as fixed by the department. Answers to interrogatories must be full and complete, in writing, and under oath. Interrogatories directed to an individual must be answered by that individual, and interrogatories directed to a corporation must be answered by an authorized officer or director of the corporation, by a member if there are no officers or directors of the corporation, or by a fiduciary if the corporation is in the hands of a receiver, trustee, or other court-appointed fiduciary.

(2) The department is not required to file any document:

(a) To which interrogatories, as propounded pursuant to subsection (1) relate, until the interrogatories are answered in full;

(b) When interrogatories or other relevant evidence discloses that such document is not in conformity with this chapter; or

(c) When the department has determined that the parties to such document have not paid all fees, taxes, and penalties due and owing this state.

(3) The department may, based upon its findings hereunder or in s. 213.053(15), bring an action in circuit court to collect any penalties, fees, or taxes determined to be due and owing the state and to compel any filing, qualification, or registration required by law. In connection with such proceeding the department may, without prior approval by the court, file a lis pendens against any property owned by the corporation and may further certify any findings to the Department of Legal Affairs for the initiation of any action permitted pursuant to s. 617.0503 which the Department of Legal Affairs may deem appropriate.

(4) The department has the power and authority reasonably necessary to enable it to administer this chapter efficiently, to perform the duties herein imposed upon it, and to adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement this chapter.