LIMITATION ON MULTIPLE RECOVERY OF PENALTIES

(a) An administrative penalty, fine, settlement, or assurance of voluntary compliance under this title or federal law that is assessed by or agreed to with an administrative agency or the attorney general shall be considered and applied as a bar or credit to recovery of further fines, penalties, or enhanced damages for substantially the same act, practice, or violation in a suit or other proceeding brought by a private litigant under this title, the Business & Commerce Code, or other applicable law of this state. This section does not apply to a claim for restitution for unreimbursed actual damages. (b) A suit or other proceeding by a private litigant does not affect or restrict any state or federal agency from pursuing a person for any administrative remedy, including an administrative penalty. An administrative agency of this state, however, shall consider as a mitigating factor any relief recovered in a private suit or proceeding when the agency determines an administrative remedy.