Terms as used in this section and §§ 49-34-19 to 49-34-21, inclusive, mean:

(1) “Bypassing,” the act of attaching, connecting or in any manner affixing any wire, cord, socket, motor or other instrument, device or contrivance to the utility supply system or any part thereof in a manner as to transmit, supply or use any utility service without passing through an authorized meter for measuring or registering the amount of utility service;

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(2) “Customer,” the person responsible for payment for utility services for the premises. The term includes employees and agents of the customer;

(3) “Tampering,” damaging, altering, adjusting or in any manner interfering with or obstructing the action or operation of any meter provided for measuring or registering the amount of utility service passing through the meter, or any valve provided by the utility for preventing back flow of water into the supply lines, or any other devices owned and maintained by the utility;

(4) “Unauthorized metering,” removing, moving, installing, connecting, reconnecting or disconnecting any meter or metering device for utility service by a person other than an authorized employee or agent of a utility;

(5) “Utility,” any public utility, municipally owned utility, rural water system or cooperative utility which provides electricity, gas or water for sale to consumers;

(6) “Utility service,” the provision of electricity, gas, water or any other service or commodity customarily furnished by the utility for compensation;

(7) “Utility supply system,” includes all wire, conduits, pipes, cords, sockets, motors, meters, instruments and all other devices used by the utility for the purpose of providing utility service.

Source: SL 1985, ch 375, § 1; SL 1999, ch 228, § 1.