89R10710 AJZ-D     By: Toth H.B. No. 2829       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to certain outdoor signs regulated by the Texas Department   of Transportation.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 391, Transportation Code,   is amended by adding Section 391.0685 to read as follows:          Sec. 391.0685.  AUTHORIZED RENEWAL OF EXPIRED PERMIT.   (a)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, a   person who does not have actual knowledge of the necessity of   renewing a permit issued under Section 391.068(a) may renew the   permit until the seventh anniversary of the date of the permit's   expiration if the person submits to the commission:                (1)  all fees associated with the permit that accrued   during the period of the permit's expiration, including any renewal   fee required for the permit;                (2)  an additional late renewal fee in an amount   prescribed by commission rule; and                (3)  an affidavit indicating that the person did not   have actual knowledge of the permit renewal requirements under this   subchapter.          (b)  A person that complies with the requirements of   Subsection (a) is considered to possess the permit as though the   permit never expired and may not be penalized for violating any   provision of this subchapter relating to the previously expired   permit.          SECTION 2.  Section 394.023, Transportation Code, is amended   to read as follows:          Sec. 394.023.  TIME OF PERMIT; AUTHORIZED RENEWAL OF EXPIRED   PERMIT.  (a)  A permit is valid for one year.          (b)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a   person who does not have actual knowledge of the necessity of   renewing a permit may renew the permit until the seventh   anniversary of the date of the permit's expiration if the person   submits to the commission:                (1)  all fees associated with the permit that accrued   during the period of the permit's expiration, including any renewal   fee required for the permit;                (2)  an additional late renewal fee in an amount   prescribed by commission rule; and                (3)  an affidavit indicating that the person did not   have actual knowledge of the permit renewal requirements under this   chapter.          (c)  A person that complies with the requirements of   Subsection (b) is considered to possess the permit as though the   permit never expired and may not be penalized for violating any   provision of this chapter relating to the previously expired   permit.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.