69-3-110. Enforcement of public utility law. - Montana Statutes

     69-3-110. Enforcement of public utility law. (1) The commission shall inquire into any neglect or violation of the laws of this state by any public utility, as hereinbefore defined, doing business in this state or by the officers, agents, or employees thereof. The commission shall enforce the provisions of this chapter and report all violations thereof to the attorney general.
     (2) All rates, fares, charges, classifications, and joint rates fixed by the commission shall be enforced and are prima facie lawful from the date of the order until changed or modified by the commission or in pursuance of part 4. All rules, practices, and services prescribed by the commission shall be enforced and enforcement actions shall be brought pursuant to the provisions of part 4 until the rules, practices, or services are changed or modified by the commission upon a satisfactory showing being made.
     (3) Upon the request of the commission, it is the duty of the attorney general or the prosecuting attorney of any county to aid in any investigation, prosecution, hearing, or trial had under the provisions of this chapter and to institute and prosecute all actions or proceedings necessary for the enforcement of this chapter.
     (4) Any forfeiture or penalty herein provided shall be recovered and suit thereon shall be brought in the name of the state in the district court of any county having jurisdiction of the defendant. The attorney general shall be the counsel in any proceeding, investigation, hearing, or trial prosecuted or defended by the commission, as also shall any prosecuting attorney selected by the commission or other special counsel furnished the commission in any county where such action is pending.
     (5) In addition to the other remedies provided by this chapter for the prevention and punishment of any violation of the provisions thereof and all orders of the commission, the commission may compel compliance with the provisions of this chapter and of the orders of the commission by proceedings in mandamus, by injunction, or by other civil remedies.

     History: En. Secs. 24, 25, 30, 31, Ch. 52, L. 1913; re-en. Secs. 3904, 3905, 3910, 3911, R.C.M. 1921; re-en. Secs. 3904, 3905, 3910, 3911, R.C.M. 1935; R.C.M. 1947, 70-126, 70-127, 70-132, 70-133; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 43, L. 1979.