The bill amends existing laws regarding penalties for public utilities that violate provisions related to their duties. It introduces new legal language under Section 39-2-8, establishing a penalty structure that increases the maximum penalty for violations from one thousand dollars ($1,000) to five thousand dollars ($5,000). Additionally, it clarifies that every public utility that violates any provisions of the chapters is subject to a penalty of not less than two hundred dollars ($200) nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each offense.

Section 39-4-22 is also amended to reflect similar changes, removing references to water suppliers and increasing penalties for violations of orders from the division from one thousand dollars ($1,000) to five thousand dollars ($5,000). The bill raises the fines for officers, agents, or employees of public utilities who violate provisions or orders from a maximum of five hundred dollars ($500) to one thousand dollars ($1,000). The act is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
601: 39-2-8, 39-4-22
601  SUB A: 39-2-8, 39-4-22