By Davis of Dallas                                    H.B. No. 2187
         77R6826 JMG-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to requirements for filing certain information with the
 1-3     secretary of state; providing a penalty.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1. Chapter 405, Government Code, is amended by adding
 1-6     Subchapter D to read as follows:
 1-7            SUBCHAPTER D.  REGULATION OF PERSONS REQUIRED TO FILE
 1-8                           WITH SECRETARY OF STATE
 1-9           Sec. 405.041. (a)  A person required to file with the
1-10     secretary of state a change of principal office in this state or
1-11     outside the state, a change of registered office or agent, or a
1-12     certificate of withdrawal commits an offense if the person does not
1-13     file the required filing with the secretary of state before the
1-14     earlier of:
1-15                 (1)  the 11th day after the date of the change or
1-16     withdrawal; or
1-17                 (2)  the date the filing is otherwise required by law.
1-18           (b)  A person who violates this section is liable to the
1-19     state for a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $10,000 for
1-20     each violation. The attorney general or the prosecuting attorney in
1-21     the county in which the violation occurs may bring suit to recover
1-22     the civil penalty imposed under this section.
1-23           (c)  The attorney general may bring an action in the name of
1-24     the state to restrain or enjoin a person from violating this
 2-1     section.
 2-2           SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.