HB 1275 Summary

• IURC may impose civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation for public utilities that violate utility laws or fail to comply with IURC rate or service requirements.

• IURC may impose an additional penalty up to $10,000 per violation if the utility demonstrates willful disregard through a continuing pattern of conduct.

• IURC may independently pursue recovery of forfeitures and penalties, with option to hire outside counsel subject to governor and budget agency approval.

• Civil penalties are not multiplied by number of customers affected or service outage duration; only one violation per day may be attributed to a utility for the same condition or cause.

• Effective July 1, 2010.