76-4-1002. Collection of penalties, fees, late fees, and interest. (1) If the department of environmental quality is unable to collect penalties, fees, late fees, or interest assessed pursuant to the provisions of Title 75 or Title 76, chapter 4, the department of environmental quality may assign the debt to a collection service or transfer the debt to the department of revenue pursuant to Title 17, chapter 4, part 1.

(2) (a) The reasonable collection costs of a collection service, if approved by the department of environmental quality, or assistance costs charged the department of environmental quality by the department of revenue pursuant to 17-4-103(3) may be added to the debt for which collection is being sought.

(b) (i) All money collected by the department of revenue is subject to the provisions of 17-4-106.

(ii) All money collected by a collection service must be paid to the department of environmental quality and deposited in the general fund or the accounts specified in statute for the assessed penalties, fees, late fees, or interest, except that the collection service may retain those collection costs or, if the total debt is not collected, that portion of collection costs that are approved by the department.