2010 Wisconsin Code
Chapter 196. Regulation of public utilities.
196.60 Discrimination prohibited; penalty.

196.60

196.60 Discrimination prohibited; penalty.

196.60(1)

(1)

196.60(1)(a)

(a) Except as provided under sub. (2), no public utility and no agent, as defined in s. 196.66 (3) (a), or officer of a public utility, directly or indirectly, may charge, demand, collect or receive from any person more or less compensation for any service rendered or to be rendered by it in or affecting or relating to the production, transmission, delivery or furnishing of heat, light, water, telecommunications service or power or for any service in connection therewith, than that prescribed in the published schedules or tariffs then in force, or established under this chapter, or than it charges, demands, collects or receives from any other person for a like contemporaneous service.

196.60(1)(b)

(b) A public utility or an agent that violates par. (a) shall be deemed guilty of unjust discrimination and shall forfeit not less than $100 nor more than $5,000 for each offense. An officer who violates par. (a) shall be fined not less than $50 nor more than $2,500 for each offense.

196.60(2)

(2) Nothing in this section and s. 196.604 or any other provision of law may be construed to prohibit a telecommunications utility from furnishing service to its employees, pensioners and officers, and its employees, pensioners and officers may receive such service, at no charge or at charges less than those prescribed in its published schedules or tariffs. The commission may prescribe rules under this subsection. The rules may not prohibit or restrict the furnishing of service to employees, pensioners and officers or the receiving of service by employees, pensioners and officers at no charge or charges less than those prescribed in the telecommunications utility's published schedules or tariffs. No revenue may accrue or be credited in the accounts of the telecommunications utility for service furnished and not charged under this subsection.

196.60(3)

(3) If a public utility gives an unreasonable preference or advantage to any person or subjects any person to any unreasonable prejudice or disadvantage, the public utility shall be deemed guilty of unjust discrimination. A public utility violating this subsection shall forfeit not less than $50 nor more than $5,000 for each offense.

196.60 - ANNOT.

History: 1977 c. 418; 1983 a. 53 ss. 77, 78, 82; 1985 a. 297; 1989 a. 49.

196.60 - ANNOT.

Cross Reference: See also chs. PSC 113, 134, and 164, Wis. adm. code.