(a) It shall be unlawful for any person, corporation, association, or their agents or officials operating a railroad within this state to permit any of the following to be on duty for more than eight (8) hours in any twenty-four (24) consecutive hours:

(1) Any telegraph or telephone operator who is engaged in the handling of trains by the use of the telegraph or telephone, reporting trains to each other and to the train dispatcher registering the trains, and operating one (1) or more train order signals;

(2) Telegraph or telephone levermen who manipulate lever machines in railroad yards, or on the main tracks out of the line, connecting sidetracks or switches; or

(3) Train dispatchers in its service whose duties pertain to the movement of cars, engines, or trains on its railroad by the use of the telegraph or telephone in dispatching or reporting trains, or receiving or transmitting train orders or messages directing the movement of trains as interpreted in this section.

(b)

(1) Any person, corporation, association, or their agents or officials that shall violate subsection (a) of this section shall pay a fine of five hundred dollars ($500) for each violation of this section.

(2) The fine mentioned in subdivision (b)(1) of this section shall be recovered by an action in the name of the State of Arkansas for the use of the state, who shall sue for it against the person, corporation, association, agent, or official violating this section. The suit is to be instituted in any court in this state having appropriate jurisdiction.

(3) The fine, when recovered, shall be paid without any deduction whatever to the State of Arkansas, for whose use the suit was instituted.