(a) The commission by rule may allow a person who owes a monetary civil or administrative penalty imposed for a violation of law within the commission's jurisdiction or for a violation of a license, permit, or order issued or rule adopted by the commission to pay the penalty in periodic installments. The rule must provide a procedure for a person to apply for permission to pay the penalty over time.
(b) The rule may vary the period over which the penalty may be paid or the amount of the periodic installments according to the amount of the penalty owed and the size of the business that owes the penalty. The period over which the penalty may be paid may not exceed 36 months.