§ 26-24-114 - Appointment of agents -- Penalty for disclosing information. - Arkansas Statutes

26-24-114. Appointment of agents -- Penalty for disclosing information.

(a) (1) For the purpose of making any investigation of any company, firm, corporation, person, association, copartnership, or public utility, subject to the provisions of the laws which the commission is required to administer, the Arkansas Public Service Commission may appoint, by an order in writing, an agent whose duties shall be prescribed in that order.

(2) In the discharge of his duties, the agent shall have every power of an inquisitorial nature granted by the law to the commission and the same powers as a notary public, with regard to the taking of depositions; and all powers given by law to a notary public relative to deposition are given to the agent.

(b) Except in his report to the commission, or when called on to testify in any court or proceedings, any agent who shall divulge any information acquired by him in respect to the transactions, property, or business of any company, firm, or corporation, person, association, copartnership, or public utility, while acting or claiming to act under such order, shall be fined not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100) and shall thereafter be disqualified from acting as agent or in any other capacity under appointment or employment of the commission.