(1) Every person who violates the provisions of site certification agreements or permits issued or administered by the council shall incur, in addition to any other penalty as provided by law, a penalty in an amount of up to ten thousand dollars a day for every such violation. Each and every such violation is a separate and distinct offense, and in case of a continuing violation, every day's continuance is deemed to be a separate and distinct violation. Every act of commission or omission which procures, aids, or abets in the violation is considered a violation under the provisions of this section and subject to the penalty provided in this section. The penalty provided in this section shall be imposed by a notice in writing, either by certified mail with return receipt requested or by personal service, to the person incurring the same from the council describing such violation with reasonable particularity.

(2) Any person incurring any penalty under this section must appeal the same to the council before the person may appeal the penalty to superior court. Such appeals with the council shall be filed within thirty days of the date of receipt of notice imposing any penalty. Any penalty imposed under this section shall become due and payable thirty days after the date of receipt of a notice imposing the same unless an appeal is filed with the council. Whenever an appeal of any penalty incurred hereunder is filed with the council, the penalty shall become due and payable only upon completion of all review proceedings and the issuance of a final order confirming the penalty in whole or in part. Judicial review of any final decision of the council is governed by chapter 34.05 RCW. All penalties recovered under this section shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the general fund.

(3) For purposes of this subsection, "date of receipt" means:

(a) Five business days after the date of mailing; or

(b) The date of actual receipt, when the actual receipt date can be proven by a preponderance of the evidence. The date of actual receipt, however, may not exceed forty-five days from the date of mailing.

Findings—Intent—2015 3rd sp.s. c 39: See note following RCW 80.50.150.