(a) Any public utility or common carrier willfully violating or evading any of the provisions of law for the regulation of such public utility or common carrier not otherwise specifically provided for shall, for each offense, forfeit and pay a penalty of: (1) Not less than $100 nor more than $2,000 if the violator is a telecommunications public utility subject to traditional rate of return regulation; a telecommunications public utility described in Kan. Stat. Ann. § 66-104a, and amendments thereto; a municipally owned and operated electric or natural gas public utility; an electric or natural gas cooperative public utility; a water public utility; or a nonprofit public utility; and (2) not less than $100 nor more than $10,000 if the violator is any other common carrier or public utility. All penalties provided for herein shall be recovered by a civil action, to be instituted and prosecuted in the name of the state, by the county attorney of the county in which the offense has been committed, upon the direction of the corporation commission. If upon the trial of the action the jury finds for the plaintiff, the jury shall assess and return with their verdict the amount of the fine to be imposed upon the defendant and the court shall render judgment accordingly. All such penalties recovered shall be paid to the state treasurer pursuant to Kan. Stat. Ann. § 20-2801, and amendments thereto, and the corporation commission may require the attorney general to assist such county attorney in the prosecution of such action. No bond for costs shall be required of the state in any such action.

(b) The provisions of subsection (a), shall not apply to any motor carrier.