A qualifying motor fuel customer may sue a dealer, distributor, supplier, or wholesaler for violations of specified sections, and the court must award damages and related relief if the customer prevails.
Sec. 2310.207. CIVIL ACTION. (a) If a dealer or a distributor, supplier, or wholesaler of motor fuel violates Section 2310.201, 2310.2012, 2310.2013, 2310.2014, or 2310.2015, a person who purchased the motor fuel and sustained damages or who has a complaint about the product may bring an action against the dealer, distributor, supplier, or wholesaler. (b) The action may be brought, without regard to the specific amount of damages, in the district court in any county in which: (1) the dealer, distributor, supplier, or wholesaler transacts business; or (2) the dealer resides. (c) The court shall award to a motor fuel user who prevails in an action under this section: (1) the amount of actual damages; (2) equitable relief as determined by the court to be necessary to remedy the effects of the violation, including a declaratory judgment, permanent injunctive relief, and temporary injunctive relief; and (3) court costs and attorney's fees that are reasonable in relation to the amount of work expended. (d) In addition to the remedies provided under Subsection (c), on finding that the defendant wilfully or knowingly violated Section 2310.201, 2310.2012, or 2310.2013, the trier of fact shall award not more than three times the amount of actual damages. (e) A violation of Section 2310.201, 2310.2012, 2310.2013, 2310.2014, or 2310.2015 also constitutes a deceptive trade practice under Subchapter E, Chapter 17, Business & Commerce Code. (f) An action alleging a violation of Section 2310.201, 2310.2012, 2310.2013, 2310.2014, or 2310.2015 must be commenced and prosecuted not later than the second anniversary of the date on which the cause of action accrues. Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 885 (H.B. 2278), Sec. 2.06, eff. April 1, 2009. Transferred, redesignated and amended from Agriculture Code, Section 17.152 by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1219 (S.B. 2119), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2020. Amended by: Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 337 (S.B. 246), Sec. 23, eff. September 1, 2023.