(a) Upon a finding by the Arkansas Public Service Commission that any jurisdictional water, gas, telephone, or electric public utility by agent or otherwise has knowingly, willfully, and purposefully violated any of the provisions of this act, the commission shall assess a civil sanction of one thousand dollars ($1,000) on that utility. Each instance of violation shall constitute a separate violation. However, in case of a continued violation, each day's continuance shall not be deemed to be a separate and distinct violation.
(b) The power and authority of the commission to impose these civil sanctions are not to be affected by any other civil or criminal proceeding concerning the same violation, nor shall the imposition of the civil sanction preclude the commission from imposing other sanctions which are provided for by law.
(c) The proceeds from the civil sanctions imposed under this section shall be deposited into the State Treasury as special revenues and credited to the Public Service Commission Fund.
(d) The imposition of a civil sanction under this section is subject to review by the commission and by the Court of Appeals in the manner provided by §§ 23-2-422 -- 23-2-424.