Penalty for violation

Except as in this subtitle otherwise provided, the penalty for each violation of any chapter of this subtitle or any supplement thereto, other than the failure of a company to file an annual statement, shall be a penalty not exceeding $1,000.00 for the first offense and not exceeding $2,000.00 for each succeeding offense. Any penalty provided for herein shall be enforced and collected by the commissioner in the name of the State in a summary proceeding in accordance with the Penalty Enforcement Law (N.J.S. 2A:58-1 et seq.). A warrant may issue in lieu of a summons. Upon the failure of the defendant to pay forthwith the amount of any money judgment rendered against him, such defendant shall be committed to the county jail as provided in said Penalty Enforcement Law until the penalty and costs are paid. One-half of the penalty, when recovered, shall be paid by the commissioner to the local firemen's relief association in the municipality wherein the violation was committed, if there is such an association therein, and if not, then in equal shares to the several firemen's relief associations in the county wherein the violation occurred, and if none exist in the county, then to the commissioner, to be distributed by him as other funds are by law distributed to such associations, and the other half to the commissioner for the use of the State. The necessary expenses for enforcing the provisions of this subtitle when not otherwise provided for, shall be paid out of the penalties so collected and the fees and taxes paid by insurance companies of other States and foreign countries. Amended by L.1943, c. 148, p. 424, s. 12; L.1953, c. 17, p. 260, s. 133; L.1958, c. 69, p. 505, s. 8.