§ 23-4-203 - Water, gas, or electricity -- Utility bills must show units charged for. - Arkansas Statutes

23-4-203. Water, gas, or electricity -- Utility bills must show units charged for.

(a) (1) All water, gas, or electric companies shall base their charges for their commodities upon the reading of the meters and shall charge for the commodities as per printed tables supplied to patrons.

(2) The bills or statements rendered to patrons shall show the number of units charged for.

(b) (1) Upon a finding by the Arkansas Public Service Commission that any jurisdictional water, gas, telephone, or electric public utility has knowingly, willfully, and purposefully violated any of the provisions of this section, by agent or otherwise, the commission shall assess a civil sanction of one thousand dollars ($1,000) on the utility.

(2) Each instance of violation shall constitute a separate violation. However, in case of a continued violation, each day's continuance thereof shall not be deemed to be a separate and distinct violation.

(3) The power and authority of the commission to impose the civil sanctions are not to be affected by any other proceeding, civil or criminal, concerning the same violation, nor shall the imposition of the sanction preclude the commission from imposing other sanctions as are provided for by law.

(4) The proceeds from the civil sanctions imposed under this section shall be deposited into the State Treasury as special revenues and credited to the Public Service Commission Fund.

(5) The imposition of a civil sanction under this section is subject to review by the commission and by the Arkansas Court of Appeals in the manner provided by 23-2-422 - 23-2-424.