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HB 5484

AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- DUTIES OF UTILITIES AND CARRIERS

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Lauren Carson

Increased civil and criminal penalties for public utilities and water suppliers for rule violations and disobeying orders, boosting fines to deter noncompliance.

06/23/2025 Signed by Governor
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Bill Summary · HB 5484

Summary — HB 5484 (Sub A)

Title: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS — DUTIES OF UTILITIES AND CARRIERS
Sponsor: Rep. Lauren H. Carson
Introduced: Feb 13, 2025 (filed Mar 14, 2025)
Status: Signed by Governor (June 23, 2025). Effective upon passage (June 23, 2025).

Purpose

To strengthen enforcement of the statutory duties of public utilities and certain water suppliers by increasing monetary penalties for violations of chapters 1–5 of Title 39 and for failure to comply with orders of the Division of Public Utilities & Carriers.

Key provisions

  • Increases civil penalties for public utilities that violate provisions of chapters 1–5 of Title 39 (or fail to perform duties for which no penalty is otherwise prescribed):
    • Minimum penalty remains $200.
    • Maximum penalty is raised from $1,000 to $5,000 per offense.
    • Continuing violations remain treated as separate offenses for each day of continuance.
  • Increases penalties for failure to obey, observe, or comply with Division orders (applies to public utilities and water suppliers referenced in the statute):
    • Minimum penalty remains $200.
    • Maximum penalty raised from $1,000 to $5,000 per offense.
    • Each violation and each day of a continuing violation are separate offenses.
  • Increases criminal (misdemeanor) fines for officers, agents, or employees who violate the chapters or who procure/aid/abet violations, or who fail to comply with Division orders:
    • Fine raised from the prior $100–$500 range to a new maximum of $1,000 (minimum remains $100).
    • Acts/omissions of employees acting within scope of employment are imputed to the utility or water supplier.

Who is affected

  • Regulated public utilities operating under Title 39 (electric, gas, telecommunication, other utilities covered by chapters 1–5).
  • Water suppliers referenced in §39-4-22 (text retains a cross-reference to a repealed chapter 15.4 of Title 46).
  • Officers, agents, and employees of those utilities and suppliers.
  • Indirectly, utility customers and ratepayers if increased enforcement or higher fines affect company costs, litigation, or compliance practices.

Enforcement and practical impact

  • The Division of Public Utilities & Carriers retains authority to issue orders; noncompliance can now carry higher monetary penalties, increasing deterrence and potential financial exposure for regulated entities.
  • Higher individual fines for responsible officers/agents increase personal accountability risk.
  • Utilities may respond with heightened compliance efforts; costs of penalties could be borne by the utility (and potentially reflected in rates subject to regulatory review).

Procedural timeline (selected)

  • Introduced (sponsor date): Feb 13, 2025
  • Filed / first read: Mar 14, 2025
  • Passed House (Sub A): May 20, 2025
  • Passed Senate in concurrence: Jun 17, 2025
  • Transmitted to Governor: Jun 17, 2025
  • Signed by Governor / Effective: Jun 23, 2025

This Act amends §§39-2-8 and 39-4-22 to raise maximum penalties and adjust misdemeanor fine ranges, and takes effect immediately upon passage.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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