The bill amends the General Laws in Chapter 39-2 entitled "Duties of Utilities and Carriers" by increasing the penalties for public utilities that violate provisions of chapters 1-5 of this title. The new penalty range for violations is set to not less than two hundred dollars ($200) and not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000), replacing the previous maximum of one thousand dollars ($1,000). Additionally, each day of a continuing violation is considered a separate offense.

Further amendments are made to Section 39-4-22, which pertains to penalties for violations by public utilities. The bill removes references to water suppliers, indicating that the increased penalties now apply solely to public utilities. The penalties for officers, agents, or employees of public utilities who violate provisions, aid, or abet violations, or fail to comply with division orders are also increased. The fines for such individuals are raised from a maximum of five hundred dollars ($500) to one thousand dollars ($1,000). The act specifies that the behavior of officers, agents, or employees is deemed to be the act of the public utility itself. The bill is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
5484: 39-2-8, 39-4-22