If any person, firm or corporation required by this chapter to file any annual or special report shall fail so to do within the time fixed by the commissioner for filing the same and such failure shall continue for 30 days after notice of such default, such person, firm or corporation shall forfeit to this state the sum of $25.00 for each and every day of the continuance of such failure, which forfeiture shall be payable into the Treasury of this state and shall be recoverable in a civil action in the name of the state brought in the county where the person, firm or corporation has his or its principal place of business or in any county in which he or it shall do business. It shall be the duty of the various district attorneys under the direction of the Attorney General of this state to prosecute for the recovery of such forfeitures. The cost and expenses of such prosecution shall be paid out of the appropriation for the expenses of the courts of this state.
Ala. Code § 2-17-35 (1975)