§ 17-14-308. Violation of law — Civil penalties, injunctions, and venue

(a)

1. (1) It is unlawful for a person not registered, licensed, or certified under the Arkansas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Act, § 17-14-101 et seq., § 17-14-201 et seq., and § 17-14-301 et seq., to perform an act or advertise to perform an act for which registration, licensure, or certification is required.

2. (2) A person is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor if the person:

   1. (A) Acts as an appraiser within the meaning of this chapter without an appraiser classification;

   2. (B)

      1. (i) With an interest in a real estate transaction involving an appraisal, improperly influences or attempts to improperly influence the development, reporting, result, or review of a real estate appraisal through intimidation, coercion, extortion, bribery, blackmail, threat of nonpayment or withholding payment for services, or threat of exclusion from future appraisal work.

      2. (ii) Subdivision (a)(2)(B)(i) of this section does not prohibit a person from:

         1. (a) Requesting an appraiser to:

            1. (1) Consider additional information concerning the real estate appraisal;

            2. (2) Provide further detail, substantiation, or explanation for the appraiser’s value conclusion; or

            3. (3) Correct errors in the appraisal report; or

         2. (b) Withholding payment for an appraisal based upon a bona fide dispute concerning the appraiser’s compliance with the appraisal standards adopted by the Arkansas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board under this chapter.

      3. (iii) A violation of this subdivision (a)(2)(B) is a ground for discipline against a person holding a license, certificate, or registration under this chapter; or

   3. (C) Violates any other provision of this chapter.

(b)

1. (1) Upon application by the board, a court may grant an injunction, restraining order, or other order as may be appropriate to enjoin a person from:

   1. (A) Offering to engage or engaging in the performance of any acts or practices for which a registration, certificate, or license is required by the Arkansas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Act, § 17-14- 101 et seq., § 17-14-201 et seq., and § 17-14-301 et seq., upon a showing that the acts or practices were performed or offered to be performed without a registration, license, or certificate;

   2. (B) Engaging in any practice or business authorized by a certificate, license, or registration issued under the Arkansas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Act, § 17-14-101 et seq., § 17-14-201 et seq., and § 17-14-301 et seq., upon a showing that the holder of the certificate, license, or registration presents a substantial probability of serious danger to the health, safety, or welfare of any resident of this state or client of the certificate holder or licensee; or

   3. (C) Violating subdivision (a)(2) of this section.

2. (2) Any person cosigning an appraisal with a state-registered, state-licensed, registered apprentice, or state-certified appraiser becomes subject to the Arkansas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Act, § 17-14-101 et seq., § 17-14-201 et seq., and § 17-14-301 et seq.

(c) An action brought under this section shall be commenced in the county in which the conduct occurred, in the county in which the defendant resides, or in Pulaski County.

(d) An action brought under this section shall be in addition to and not in lieu of any penalty provided by § 17-14-206 and may be brought concurrently with any other action to enforce the Arkansas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Act, § 17-14-101 et seq., § 17-14-201 et seq., and § 17-14-301 et seq.