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HomePublic Utilities CodeDiv. 1Pt. 1Ch. 4Art. 5§ 826 Public Utility Securities Penalties

§ 826 Public Utility Securities Penalties

Public Utilities Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 826 Public Utility Securities Penalties

Key Takeaways

  • •Public utilities (like electricity or water companies) must follow the rules when they sell stocks or bonds.
  • •If they don’t follow the rules, they can be fined between $500 and $20,000 for each mistake.
  • •They can’t use the money from selling stocks or bonds for anything other than what the commission (the rule-makers) allowed.

Example

A water company sells bonds to build a new water treatment plant but uses some of the money to buy fancy cars for its bosses instead.

This is against the law because the company didn’t use the money for the purpose the commission approved. They could get fined between $500 and $20,000.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 826 Public Utility Securities Penalties

Every public utility which, directly or indirectly issues or causes to be issued, any stock or stock certificate or other evidence of interest or ownership, or bond, note, or other evidence of indebtedness, in nonconformity with the order of the commission authorizing the issue, or contrary to the provisions of this part, or of the Constitution of this State, or which applies any part of the proceeds from the sale thereof, to any purpose other than the purpose or purposes specified in the commission’s order or in an amount in excess of the amount authorized for a specified purpose in the order, is subject to a penalty of not less than five hundred dollars ($500), nor more than twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) for each offense. (Enacted by Stats. 1951, Ch. 764.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

ownershipcommissionpenaltystockoffensefineutilityconstitution

Related Statutes

  • § 823 Utility Securities And Financing
  • § 818 Public Utility Securities Issuance
  • § 819 Commission Securities Approval Authority
  • § 825 Public Utility Securities Validity
  • § 748.1 Utility Fine Recovery Ban

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Public Utilities Code. Section 826.
View Official Source