EFFECT OF PAST OR PRESENT VIOLATION.

(a) If the schedule under Section 134.068 or other information available to the commission indicates that a surface coal mining operation owned or controlled by the applicant is currently in violation of this chapter or another law referred to in Section 134.068, the commission may not issue a permit until the applicant submits proof that the violation has been corrected or is being corrected to the satisfaction of the commission, department, or agency with jurisdiction over the violation.

(b) The commission may not issue a permit to an applicant if it finds, after opportunity for hearing, that the applicant or operator specified in the application controls or has controlled mining operations with a demonstrated pattern of wilful violations of this chapter or another law referred to in Section 134.068 that, by their nature and duration and the resulting irreparable damage to the environment, indicate an intent not to comply with this chapter or another law referred to in that section.

(c) Notwithstanding Subsections (a) and (b), the commission may not deny an applicant's permit application based on a previous violation by the applicant that occurred in connection with a surface coal mining operation conducted on previously mined land if the violation resulted from an event or condition that was not contemplated in the permit for the surface coal mining operation.