Opinion ID: 1268063
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Civil or Criminal Proceeding

Text: Fry Roofing Company contends that the civil money penalties assessed against it pursuant to section 25-7-119, C. R.S.1973, are penal in effect and require the procedural safeguards of a criminal proceeding. We do not agree. The legislative intent to impose civil rather than criminal penalties for violation of air pollution control standards is clear from the history of the 1970 Air Pollution Control Act. The original Air Pollution Control Act, passed in 1963, contained no enforcement provisions, but only directed the state board of health to conduct studies on air pollution and to develop air quality standards. C.R.S.1963, 66-24-1 et seq. In 1966, the legislature provided for enforcement of air quality standards by means of an injunction provision. 1967 Perm.Supp., C.R.S.1963, 66-29-14. Additionally, the legislature made violation of certain emission standards a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum fine of $100 per day. 1967 Perm.Supp., C.R.S.1963, 66-29-15. [11] See also 1969 Perm.Supp., C.R.S.1963, 66-29-15. In 1970, the Air Pollution Control Act was amended to provide that the task of promulgating ambient air quality standards and emission control regulations should be delegated to the air pollution control commission. 1971 Perm.Supp., C.R.S. 1963, 66-31-7. Additionally, the monetary penalty section was redesignated as a civil penalty section rather than as a criminal penalty section. 1971 Perm.Supp., C.R.S. 1963, 66-31-19. The redesignation of the enforcement section is consistent with the delegation of power to the administrative agency. The express language of the new enforcement provisions belies any contention that the legislature intended this section to effect criminal rather than civil penalties. In view of the clear expression of legislative intent, we need not apply the criteria set forth in Kennedy v. Mendoza-Martinez, 372 U.S. 144, 83 S.Ct. 554, 9 L.Ed.2d 644 (1963), for determining whether sanctions are penal or regulatory in nature. [12] That civil penalties may be enacted to enforce observance of a legislative policy is a principle too well established to require discussion. See, for example, Helvering v. Mitchell, 303 U.S. 391, 58 S.Ct. 630, 82 L.Ed. 917 (1938); Oceanic Steam Navigation Co. v. Stranahan, 214 U.S. 320, 29 S.Ct. 671, 53 L.Ed. 1013 (1909); Atlas Roofing Co. v. Occupational Safety and Health Review Comm'n, 518 F.2d 990 (5th Cir. 1975), appeal docketed, No. 75-746, 5th Cir., Nov. 21, 1975; Frank Irey, J., Inc. v. Occupational Safety and Health Review Comm'n, 519 F.2d 1200 (3d Cir. 1974); United States v. J. B. Williams Co., Inc., 498 F.2d 414 (2d Cir. 1974).