Sec. 21.802. PENALTIES FOR LATE FILING OF CERTAIN INSTRUMENTS. (a) A person required under Title 1 or this title to file a change of registered office or agent, a certificate of voluntary withdrawal, or a certificate of termination for a corporation commits an offense if the person does not file the required filing with the secretary of state before the earlier of:

(1) the 30th day after the date of the change, withdrawal, or termination; or

(2) the date the filing is otherwise required by law.

(b) A person who violates Subsection (a) is liable to the state for a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $2,500 for each violation. In determining the amount of a penalty under this subsection, the court shall consider all the circumstances giving rise to the offense. The attorney general or the prosecuting attorney in the county in which the violation occurs may bring suit to recover the civil penalty imposed under this section.

(c) The attorney general may bring an action in the name of the state to restrain or enjoin a person from violating this section.

(d) In an action or proceeding brought against a person who has not complied with this section, the plaintiff or other party bringing the suit or proceeding may recover, at the court's discretion, reasonable costs and attorney's fees incurred by locating and effecting service of process on the person. Any damages recovered must be in conjunction with a pending action or proceeding and shall be awarded as costs under the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. This section does not create a private independent cause of action for failure to comply with this section.

(e) A person who is entitled to recover damages under Subsection (d) may request from the attorney general nonconfidential information on the other person for the purpose of effecting service of process. The attorney general shall comply with a request made under this subsection to the extent practicable.

Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 182, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.