276
Importation for educational or scientific purposes.
80 Stat. 383. Violations, penalty provisions.
Hearing notice.
Search and seizure warrant.
P o s t i n g of bond.
Notification of s e i z u r e.
PUBLIC LAW 91-135-DEC. 5, 1969
[83 STAT.
Secretary, upon such person filing an application with him and upon filing such information as the Secretary may require showing, to his satisfaction, such hardship, shall permit such person to import such species or subspecies in such quantities and for such periods, not to exceed one year, as he determines to be appropriate. (c) The Secretary may permit, under such terms and conditions as he may prescribe, the importation of any species or subspecies of fish or wildlife listed in the Federal Register under this section for zoological, educational, and scientific purposes, and for the propagation of such fish or wildlife in captivity for preservation purposes, unless such importation is prohibited by any other Federal law or regulation. (d) The provisions of section 553 of title 5 of the United States Code shall apply to any regulation issued under this section. SEC. 4. (a)(1) Any person who violates any provision of section 2 or 3 of this Act or any regulation or permit issued thereunder, or any regulation issued under subsection (d) of this section, other than a violation the penalty for which is prescribed by subsection (b) of this section, shall be assessed a civil penalty by the Secretary of not more than $5,000 for each such violation. No penalty shall be assessed unless such person is given notice and opportunity for a hearing with, respect to such violation. Each violation shall be a separate offense. Any such civil penalty may be compromised by the Secretary. Upon any failure to pay the penalty assessed under this paragraph, the Secretary may request the Attorney General to institute a civil action in a district court of the United States for any district in which such person is found or resides or transacts business to collect the penalty and such court shall have jurisdiction to hear and decide any such action. In hearing such action, the court shall have authority to review the violation and the assessment of the civil penalty de novo. (2) Any employee authorized pursuant to subsection (c) of this section to enforce the provisions of sections 2 and 3 of this Act, and any regulations or permits issued pursuant thereto or pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, shall have authority, in addition to any other authority provided by law relating to search and seizure, to execute any warrant to search for and seize any fish or wildlife or property or items taken, used, or possessed in connection with any violation of any such section, regulation, or permit w'ith respect to which a civil penalty may be assessed pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection. Such fish, wildlife, property, or item so seized shall be held by any employee authorized by the Secretary or the Secretary of the Treasury pending disposition of proceedings by the Secretary involving the assessment of a civil penalty pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection; except that the Secretary may, in lieu of holding such fish, wildlife, property, or item, permit such person to post a bond or other surety satisfactory to the Secretary. Upon the assessment of a civil penalty pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection for any nonwillful violation of any such section, regulation, or permit, such fish wildlife, property, or item so seized may be proceeded against in any court of competent jurisdiction and forfeited to the Secretary for disposition by him in such manner as he deems appropriate. The owner or consignee of any such fish, wildlife, property, or item so seized shall, as soon as practicable following such seizure, be notified of that fact in accordance with regulations established by the Secretary or the Secretary of the Treasury. Whenever any fish or wildlife or property or item is seized pursuant to this subsection, the Secretary shall move to dispose of the civil penalty proceedings pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection as expeditiously as possible. If, with respect to any such fish, wildlife, property, or item so seized no action is commenced in any court of competent jurisdiction to obtain the
�
