Section 27-2-25. Revocation, suspension, denial, or nonrenewal of license or permits; administrative and judicial review

   (a) Upon a determination by the commissioner that a person has violated this title or any rule or regulation promulgated pursuant thereto, the commissioner may revoke, suspend, deny, or refuse to renew any license or permit, or both, required by this title which is held by or has been applied for by the person, for a period of up to two years following the determination of such violation, provided that the license or permit, or both, to be revoked, suspended, denied, or not renewed must not be unrelated to the violation determined by the commissioner. The licensee, permit holder, or applicant for a license or permit, or both, shall be notified of the proposed revocation, suspension, denial, or nonrenewal personally or by a letter sent by certified mail or statutory overnight delivery to the name and address indicated on the application for the license or permit, or both, or to the Secretary of State as provided in Code Section 27-2-24. The proposed revocation, suspension, denial, or nonrenewal shall become final 30 days after issuance if not appealed as provided in this Code section.

(b) In the event any person who is an employee, agent, or representative of a licensee, permittee, or applicant for a license or permit, or both, engages in the licensed or permitted activity pursuant to the authority of the license or permit of such licensee, permittee, or applicant for a license or permit, or both, and violates this title or any rule or regulation promulgated pursuant thereto, the commissioner may revoke, suspend, deny, or refuse to renew a license or permit in accordance with this Code section.

(c) Any person whose license, permit, or application for a license or permit, or both, is proposed for revocation, suspension, denial, or nonrenewal shall, upon petition within 30 days of issuance of notice given as stated in subsection (a) of this Code section, have a right to a hearing before an administrative law judge appointed by the Board of Natural Resources. The hearing before the administrative law judge shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 13 of Title 50, the "Georgia Administrative Procedure Act," and the rules and regulations adopted by the board pursuant thereto. The decision of the administrative law judge shall constitute the final decision of the board and any party to the hearing, including the commissioner, shall have the right of judicial review thereof in accordance with Chapter 13 of Title 50.

Code 1933, § 45-323, enacted by Ga. L. 1977, p. 396, § 1; Ga. L. 1978, p. 816, § 36; Ga. L. 1984, p. 404, § 9; Ga. L. 1985, p. 149, § 27; Ga. L. 2000, p. 1589, § 3.