(a) Every public utility and every person or corporation shall obey and comply with every requirement of this act and of every order, decision, direction, rule, or regulation made or prescribed by the commission in the matters specified or any other matter in any way relating to or affecting the business of any public utility. The commission shall do everything necessary or proper in order to secure compliance with, and observance of, every order, decision, direction, rule, or regulation by all officers, agents, and employees of every public utility.

(b)

(1) Upon a finding by the commission that any jurisdictional water, gas, telephone, or electric public utility has knowingly, willfully, and purposefully violated any of the provisions of this act, by agent or otherwise, the commission shall assess a civil sanction of one thousand dollars ($1,000) on the utility.

(2) Each instance of violation shall constitute a separate violation. However, in case of a continued violation, each day's continuance thereof shall not be deemed to be a separate and distinct violation.

(3) The power and authority of the commission to impose civil sanctions are not to be affected by any other civil or criminal proceeding, concerning the same violation, nor shall the imposition of the sanction preclude the commission from imposing other sanctions which are provided for by law.

(4) The proceeds from the civil sanctions imposed under this subsection shall be deposited into the State Treasury as special revenues and credited to the Public Service Commission Fund.

(5) The imposition of a civil sanction under this subsection is subject to review by the commission and by the Court of Appeals in the manner provided by §§ 23-2-422 -- 23-2-424.