Subdivision 1. Definitions. When used in this section, the terms defined in section 216B.02 have the same meanings. Other terms used in this section have the following meanings:
(a) "Bypassing" means the act of attaching, connecting, or otherwise affixing a wire, cord, socket, pipe, hose, motor, or other instrument or device to utility or customer-owned facilities or equipment so that service provided by the utility is transmitted, supplied, or used without passing through a meter authorized by the utility for measuring or registering the amount of service provided.
(b) "Tampering" means damaging, altering, adjusting, or obstructing the operation of a meter or submeter provided by a utility for measuring or registering the amount of electricity, natural gas, or other utility service passing through the meter.
(c) "Unauthorized connection" means the physical connection or physical reconnection of utility service by a person without the authorization or consent of the utility.
(d) "Unauthorized metering" means removing, installing, connecting, reconnecting, or disconnecting a meter, submeter, or metering device for service by a utility, by a person other than an authorized employee or agent of the utility.
(e) "Utility" means a public utility defined in section 216B.02, subdivision 4; a municipal utility; or a cooperative electric association organized under chapter 308A.
Subd. 2. Civil actions; remedies. A utility may bring a civil action for damages against a person who: (1) deliberately commits, authorizes, attempts, solicits, aids, or abets bypassing, tampering, unauthorized connection, or unauthorized metering that results in damages to the utility; or (2) knowingly receives service provided as a result of bypassing, tampering, unauthorized connection, or unauthorized metering. The utility may recover double the costs of the service provided; the costs and expenses for investigation, disconnection, reconnection, service calls, equipment, and employees; and the trial costs and witness fees.
Subd. 3. Damages to benefit ratepayers. Damages recovered under this section in excess of the actual damages sustained by a public utility regulated by the commission must be taken into account by the commission and applied for the benefit of the public utility's ratepayers in establishing utility rates.
Subd. 4. Additional remedies. The remedies provided in this section are supplemental and additional to other remedies or powers conferred by law and not in limitation of other civil or criminal statutory or common law remedies.
1987 c 272 s 1; 1989 c 356 s 16
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapters 324 - 341 — Trade Regulations, Consumer Protection
Chapter 325E — Trade Practices
Section 325E.01 — Delivery Tickets To Accompany Each Fuel Delivery.
Section 325E.02 — Customer Deposits.
Section 325E.021 — Utility Delinquency Charges.
Section 325E.025 — Landlords And Tenants; Utility Bills.
Section 325E.026 — Unauthorized Use Of Utility Meters.
Section 325E.027 — Discrimination Prohibition.
Section 325E.028 — Utility Payment Arrangements For Military Service Personnel.
Section 325E.03 — Sale Of Beverage Containers Having Detachable Parts.
Section 325E.031 — Immigration Services.
Section 325E.04 — Free Samples; Distribution.
Section 325E.041 — Sensory Testing Research.
Section 325E.042 — Prohibiting Sale Of Certain Plastics.
Section 325E.044 — Plastic Container Labeling.
Section 325E.046 — Standards For Labeling Plastic Bags.
Section 325E.05 — Agricultural Implement Dealerships; Return Of Stock.
Section 325E.061 — Definitions.
Section 325E.062 — Terminations Or Cancellations.
Section 325E.063 — Violations.
Section 325E.0631 — Warranties.
Section 325E.064 — Status Of Inconsistent Agreements.
Section 325E.067 — Applicability.
Section 325E.068 — Definitions.
Section 325E.0681 — Terminations Or Cancellations.
Section 325E.0682 — Violations.
Section 325E.0683 — Status Of Inconsistent Agreements.
Section 325E.07 — Cigarette Vending Machines, Notice Relating To Sales.
Section 325E.08 — Service For Disabled Persons At Gasoline Stations.
Section 325E.085 — Motor Vehicle Fuel Payment.
Section 325E.095 — Computation Of Sales By Small Retailers.
Section 325E.0951 — Motor Vehicle Air Pollution Control Systems.
Section 325E.0952 — Mandatory Air Bag Replacement.
Section 325E.10 — Definitions.
Section 325E.11 — Collection Facilities; Notice.
Section 325E.112 — Used Motor Oil And Used Motor Oil Filter Collection.
Section 325E.115 — Lead Acid Batteries; Collection For Recycling.
Section 325E.1151 — Lead Acid Battery Purchase And Return.
Section 325E.125 — General And Special Purpose Battery Requirements.
Section 325E.1251 — Penalty Enforcement.
Section 325E.127 — Notice For Fluorescent Lamps Containing Mercury.
Section 325E.13 — Tampering With Odometers; Definitions.
Section 325E.14 — Prohibited Acts.
Section 325E.15 — Transfer Of Motor Vehicle; Mileage Disclosure.
Section 325E.16 — Penalties; Remedies.
Section 325E.165 — Definition.
Section 325E.166 — Clock-hour Meters; Prohibited Acts.
Section 325E.167 — Penalties And Remedies.
Section 325E.169 — Definitions.
Section 325E.17 — Unlawful Transfers Or Sales Of Recordings.
Section 325E.18 — Identity Of Transferor.
Section 325E.201 — Violations; Punishment.
Section 325E.21 — Dealers In Scrap Metal; Records, Reports, And Registration.
Section 325E.23 — Definitions.
Section 325E.24 — Furnishing Of Space; Exceptions.
Section 325E.26 — Definitions.
Section 325E.27 — Use Of Prerecorded Or Synthesized Voice Messages.
Section 325E.28 — Requirements On Automatic Dialing-announcing Devices.
Section 325E.29 — Message Requirements.
Section 325E.30 — Time Of Day Limit.
Section 325E.317 — Definitions.
Section 325E.318 — Wireless Directories.
Section 325E.319 — Wireless Communications Devices; Acquisition For Resale.
Section 325E.32 — Waste Tires; Collection.
Section 325E.33 — Misconduct Of Athletic Agents.
Section 325E.34 — Free Newspapers; Exclusive Right To Distribute Prohibited.
Section 325E.35 — Definitions.
Section 325E.36 — Seller-financed Agricultural Input Sales.
Section 325E.37 — Termination Of Sales Representatives.
Section 325E.38 — Sale Of Certain Cfc Products Prohibited.
Section 325E.381 — Perchloroethylene Prohibition.
Section 325E.385 — Products Containing Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether.
Section 325E.386 — Products Containing Certain Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers Banned; Exemptions.
Section 325E.387 — Review Of Decabromodiphenyl Ether.
Section 325E.389 — Items Containing Lead Prohibited.
Section 325E.3891 — Cadmium In Children's Jewelry.
Section 325E.39 — Telephone Advertising Services.
Section 325E.395 — Facsimile Transmission Of Unsolicited Advertising Materials.
Section 325E.40 — Sale Of Petroleum-based Sweeping Compound Products Prohibited.
Section 325E.41 — Deceptive Trade Practices; Environmental Marketing Claims.
Section 325E.42 — Deceptive Trade Practices; Gambling Advertising And Marketing Claims.
Section 325E.491 — Definitions.
Section 325E.492 — Production.
Section 325E.50 — Definitions.
Section 325E.51 — Licensing Negotiations.
Section 325E.52 — Royalty Contract Requirements.
Section 325E.53 — Improper Licensing Practices.
Section 325E.54 — Investigation.
Section 325E.56 — Remedies Cumulative.
Section 325E.59 — Use Of Social Security Numbers.
Section 325E.60 — Restroom Access.
Section 325E.61 — Data Warehouses; Notice Required For Certain Disclosures.
Section 325E.63 — Credit Issued To Minors.
Section 325E.64 — Access Devices; Breach Of Security.
Section 325E.65 — Sale Of American Flags.
Section 325E.66 — Insurance Claims For Residential Contracting Goods And Services.