(a) A person begins a contested case by filing an original and one copy of a petition with the executive director. If the petition is sent by electronic mail, the additional copy of the petition is not required.     
      (b) Filing a document, including a petition, with the executive director must be made by:      
        (1) sending the document by United States mail or by overnight delivery service to: Executive Director, Texas Department of Transportation, 125 East 11th Street, Austin, Texas 78701;       
        (2) hand delivering the document to: Executive Director, Texas Department of Transportation, 125 East 11th Street, Austin, Texas; or       
        (3) sending the document by electronic mail in accordance with subsection (e) of this section.       
      (c) The time and date of the filing of a document, other than an electronically filed document, is determined by the file stamp affixed by the office of the executive director.     
      (d) For a document other than a petition, only an original is required to be filed.     
      (e) A document sent by electronic mail must be sent to CONTESTEDCASE@txdot.gov with the subject line entry of "Filing of Contested Case Matter."     
      (f) An electronically filed document received by the department is considered to be filed at the time indicated in the header of the electronic mail containing the document.     
     Source Note:        The provisions of this §1.24 adopted to be effective November 18, 2010, 35 TexReg 10053; amended to be effective October 17, 2018, 43 TexReg 6848