Utility services.

Existing law authorizes an electrical, gas, or water corporation, or any electrical, gas, or water system operated by a public agency, to bring a civil action for damages against any person who commits, authorizes, solicits, aids, abets, or attempts, among other things, the diversion of utility services by any means whatsoever. Existing law authorizes the utility to recover as damages 3 times the amount of actual damages, plus the cost of the suit and reasonable attorney's fees, in any civil action brought pursuant to these provisions. This bill would instead authorize a civil action for damages against a person who intentionally and knowingly commits, authorizes, solicits, aids, abets, or attempts, among other things, the diversion of utility services. The bill would define "aids" and "abets" to mean intentionally, knowingly, and substantially assisting another in performing an act that violates these provisions.