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

HB 5484 increases penalties for public utilities and water suppliers that violate regulations under Chapter 39 of the General Laws. It raises fines for violations from $200-$1,000 to $200-$5,000 per offense, and for officials who fail to comply, from $100-$500 to $100-$1,000 per offense. Each day of a continuing violation is treated as a separate offense, with daily penalties applying. The bill directly affects all public utilities and water suppliers subject to these chapters, increasing financial consequences for noncompliance without changing existing regulatory duties.