Sec. 1454.108.  FAILURE OF COMMISSIONER TO MAKE DETERMINATION BY ORDER;  ACTION IN DISTRICT COURT.  (a)  If the commissioner fails to determine by order in the time prescribed by Section 1454.107 whether a violation alleged in a complaint filed under this chapter occurred, the person who filed the complaint may bring an action in district court for the violation.
(b)  The action must be commenced not later than the first anniversary of the date by which the commissioner is required to make a determination under Section 1454.107.
(c)  In an action filed under this section, a court may:
(1)  impose the sanctions authorized by this subchapter or similar sanctions;
(2)  assess an additional civil penalty of $25,000 if the trier of fact finds the defendant knowingly violated this chapter;  and
(3)  award a claimant who prevails in an action filed under this section reasonable attorney's fees and court costs, including reasonable and necessary expert witness fees.
(d)  On a finding by the court that an action filed under this section was groundless and brought in bad faith or brought for the purpose of harassment, the court shall award the defendant reasonable and necessary attorney's fees.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1274, Sec. 3, eff. April 1, 2005.