(1) A utility may bring a civil action for damages against any person who commits, authorizes, solicits, aids, abets, or attempts any of the following acts resulting in damages to the utility: Bypassing, tampering, or unauthorized metering. In addition, a utility may bring a civil action for damages pursuant to this section against any person who knowingly receives utility service through means of bypassing, tampering, or unauthorized metering. An action brought pursuant to this section shall be commenced within three years after the cause of action accrues.(2) In any civil action brought pursuant to this section, the utility shall be entitled, upon proof of willful or intentional bypassing, tampering, or unauthorized metering, to recover as damages three times the amount of the actual damages, if any, plus all reasonable expenses and costs incurred on account of the bypassing, tampering, or unauthorized metering, including, but not limited to, costs and expenses for investigation, disconnection, reconnection, service calls, employees and equipment, and expert witnesses; costs of the suit; and reasonable attorney fees.L. 83: Entire article added, p. 1565, § 1, effective July 1.