(1) There is a rebuttable presumption that a tenant or occupant of any premises where bypassing, tampering, or unauthorized metering is proven to exist caused or had knowledge of such bypassing, tampering, or unauthorized metering if the tenant or occupant had controlled access to the part of the utility supply system on the premises where the bypassing, tampering, or unauthorized metering is proven to exist and if said tenant or occupant was responsible or partially responsible for payment, either directly or indirectly, to the utility or to any other person for utility services provided for the premises.(2) There is a rebuttable presumption that a utility customer at any premises where bypassing, tampering, or unauthorized metering is proven to exist caused or had knowledge of such bypassing, tampering, or unauthorized metering if the customer had controlled access to the part of the utility supply system on the premises where the bypassing, tampering, or unauthorized metering is proven to exist.(3) The presumptions provided in this section shall only shift the burden of going forward with evidence and shall in no event shift the burden of proof to the defendant in any action

proven to exist.(3) The presumptions provided in this section shall only shift the burden of going forward with evidence and shall in no event shift the burden of proof to the defendant in any action brought pursuant to this article.L. 83: Entire article added, p. 1565, § 1, effective July 1.