When the commission, after such investigation as it considers appropriate, believes that a violation of this chapter or of any rule, order or decision of the commission has occurred, it may order any person to cease that violation. Before issuing such an order, the commission shall afford any person who would be aggrieved by the order an opportunity for a hearing. In any such investigation or hearing, the commission may exercise all of the powers given to it by section 2952-A. Any person aggrieved by a final order issued under this section may obtain judicial review of the order in Superior Court by filing a petition in accordance with Title 5, section 11001 and the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 80C. In responding to such a petition, the commission may seek enforcement of its order, including civil penalties for any violation found, and the court, if it upholds the order, may order its enforcement, including civil penalties. [PL 2005, c. 382, Pt. F, §21 (AMD).]

Nothing in this section is intended to require that the commission take administrative enforcement action prior to seeking judicial relief for any violation of this chapter or of any rule, order or decision of the commission, nor intended to limit the commission’s ability to bring an independent action to enforce any decision or order issued by it, including civil penalties for any violation found by it. [PL 1985, c. 717, §6 (NEW).]