(a) A person who violates Section 369.002(a) or (b) is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $500 for each act of violation.
(b) If it appears that a person has violated or is violating Section 369.002, the attorney general or a district attorney, criminal district attorney, or county attorney shall institute and conduct a suit in the name of this state to recover the civil penalty imposed under this section.
(c) A civil penalty recovered under this section shall be deposited:
(1) in the state treasury if the attorney general brings the suit; or
(2) in the general fund of the county in which the violation occurred if a district attorney, criminal district attorney, or county attorney brings the suit.