CIVIL PENALTY

(a) A person who violates Section 391.252 is liable to the state for a civil penalty of not less than $500 or more than $1,000 for each violation, depending on the seriousness of the violation. A separate penalty may be imposed for each day a continuing violation occurs. (b) The attorney general, the district or county attorney for the county, or the municipal attorney of the municipality in which the violation is alleged to have occurred may bring suit to collect the penalty. (c) A civil penalty collected by the attorney general under this section shall be deposited to the credit of the state highway fund. (d) Before a suit may be brought for a violation of Section 391.252, the attorney general, the district or county attorney for the county, or the municipal attorney of the municipality in which the violation is alleged to have occurred shall give the owner of the commercial sign a written notice that: (1) describes the violation and specific location of the sign found to be in violation; (2) states the amount of the proposed penalty for the violation; and (3) gives the owner 30 days from receipt to remove the sign and cure the violation to avoid the penalty unless the sign owner was given notice and opportunity to cure a similar violation within the preceding 12 months.