Section 27-12-18

Statement of charges; hearing, order and review thereon.

(a) If the commissioner believes that any person has been engaged, or is engaging, in this state in any unfair method of competition or any unfair or deceptive act or practice expressly prohibited in this trade practices law and that a proceeding by him in respect thereto would be to the interest of the public, he shall issue and serve upon such person a statement of the charges in that respect and a notice of a hearing thereon to be held at a time and place fixed in the notice, which shall not be less than 10 days after the date of the service thereof.

(b) At the hearing, such person shall have an opportunity to be heard and to show cause why an order should not be made by the commissioner requiring such person to cease and desist from the acts, methods or practices so complained of. Upon good cause shown, the commissioner shall permit any person to intervene, appear and be heard at such hearing by counsel or in person.

(c) Provisions of Chapter 2 of this title relative to the powers of the commissioner, witnesses, evidence and hearings shall apply as to procedures under this trade practices law, except where in conflict with the express provisions of this trade practices law.

(d) If, after such hearing, the commissioner finds that the method of competition, or the act or practice in question is defined in this chapter and that the person complained of has engaged in such method of competition, act or practice in violation of this chapter, he shall reduce his findings to writing and issue, and cause to be served upon such person, an order requiring such person to cease and desist from engaging in such method of competition, act or practice.

(e) Until the expiration of the time allowed under Section 27-2-32 for filing a petition for review, if no such petition has been duly filed within such time, or if a petition for review has been filed within such time, then until the transcript of the record in the proceeding has been filed in the court, the commissioner may, at any time upon such notice and in such manner as he shall deem proper, modify or set aside, in whole or in part, any order issued by him under this section.

(f) After the expiration of the time allowed for filing such a petition for review, if no such petition has been duly filed within such time, the commissioner may, at any time after notice and opportunity for hearing, reopen and alter, modify or set aside, in whole or in part, any order issued by him under this section whenever in his opinion conditions of fact or of law have so changed as to require such action or if the public interest so requires.

(g) A cease and desist order issued by the commissioner under this section shall become final:

(1) Upon the expiration of the time allowed for filing of petition for review, if no such petition has been duly filed within such time; except, that the commissioner may thereafter modify or set aside his order to the extent provided in subsection (e) of this section; or

(2) Upon the final decision of the court if the court directs that the order of the commissioner be affirmed or the petition for review dismissed.

(h) No order of the commissioner pursuant to this trade practices law or order of court to enforce it shall in any way relieve or absolve any person affected by such order from any other liability, penalty or forfeiture under law.

(i) Violation of any such desist order shall be deemed to be, and shall be, punishable as a violation of this title.

(j) This section shall not be deemed to affect or prevent the imposition of any penalty provided by this title or by other law for violation of any other provision of this chapter, whether or not any such hearing is called or held or such desist order issued.

(Acts 1957, No. 608, p. 865, §7; Acts 1971, No. 407, p. 707, §244.)