HP1552, LD 2182, item 1, 123rd Maine State Legislature
An Act To Allow Civil Penalties for Damaging Utility Property or for Theft of Utility Services

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An Act To Allow Civil Penalties for Damaging Utility Property or for Theft of Utility Services
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 35-A MRSA §2705, sub-§2,  as enacted by PL 1987, c. 141, Pt. A, §6, is amended to read:
 
2. Repair.   The cost of equipment repair or replacement, as necessary; ~~and~~
Sec. 2. 35-A MRSA §2705, sub-§3,  as enacted by PL 1987, c. 141, Pt. A, §6, is amended to read:
 
3. Other costs.   All other reasonable costs to the utility, including attorney fees and costs of undertaking and completing the investigation resulting in a determination of liability~~.~~; and
Sec. 3. 35-A MRSA §2705, sub-§4  is enacted to read:
 
4.  Penalty.     A fine of $2,500 due and payable to the utility for each offense of utility services wrongfully obtained or each offense of damaging, destroying or tampering with utility property.
 
SUMMARY
This bill establishes a civil penalty of $2,500 per offense for theft of utility services or for damaging or tampering with utility property. The penalty may be assessed only following a successful civil action by the utility in a court of competent jurisdiction.

HP1552, LR 3459, item 1, Emergency Signed on 2008-04-03 - Second Regular Session - 123rd Legislature, page