72-12-14: Suspension or revocation of license; appeal; damages.

Upon notice and after opportunity for a hearing, the state engineer may suspend or revoke a license issued pursuant to the provisions of Sections 72-12-12 through 72-12-17 NMSA 1978 for a violation of a condition of a bond maintained as a prerequisite for the license. Appeals from the decision of the state engineer may be taken to a district court in the same manner as provided for other appeals from action of the state engineer. In the event of such breach, the state engineer, on behalf of the state and any other person injured by the breach, is authorized to recover in a civil suit in the district court of the county where the well involved is located, judgment for damages sustained by reason of the breach. In addition, the state engineer is authorized to recover on behalf of the state a civil penalty in an amount to be determined by the district court not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000), and judgment for both damages and penalty shall be against the principal and sureties on the bonds.