Wisconsin Statutes

Wis. Stat. § 196.44 (2026)

Law enforcement

✓ current as of July 2026

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196.44196.44 Law enforcement.

196.44(1)(1) Duty of commission. The commission shall inquire into the neglect or violation of the laws of this state by public utilities, or by their officers, agents or employees or by persons operating public utilities, and shall enforce all laws relating to public utilities, and report all violations to the attorney general.

196.44(2)(2) Duties of attorney general and district attorneys. Upon request of the commission, the attorney general or the district attorney of the proper county shall aid in any investigation, hearing or trial had under this chapter, and shall institute and prosecute all necessary actions or proceedings for the enforcement of all laws relating to public utilities or telecommunications providers, and for the punishment of all violations.

196.44(3)(3) Actions, character, venue. Any forfeiture, fine or other penalty under this chapter may be recovered as a forfeiture in a civil action brought in the name of the state in the circuit court of Dane County or in the county that would be the proper place of trial under s. 801.50.

196.44 HistoryHistory: Sup. Ct. Order, 67 Wis. 2d 585, 775 (1975); 1977 c. 29 ss. 1337, 1654 (10) (c), 1656 (43); 1977 c. 272; Stats. 1977 s. 196.44; 1981 c. 390 s. 252; 1983 a. 53; 1993 a. 496; 1997 a. 218; 1999 a. 9; 2001 a. 105.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 5 cases, 1939–2003 · leading case: Wisconsin Tel. Co. v. Pub. Serv. Comm'n, 287 N.W. 593 (Wis. 1939).

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Wisconsin Tel. Co. v. Pub. Serv. Comm'n, 287 N.W. 593 (Wis. 1939). “” This provision, together with the requirement in sec. 196.44, Stats., that if additional evidence is taken before the court the record may be sent back to the commission for further consideration, insures full consideration by the com *314 mission upon contested points and…”

State Pub. Serv. Comm'n v. Wisconsin Bell, Inc., 566 N.W.2d 496 (Wis. Ct. App. 1997). · cites it 3× “, but are specifically provided for in another statute, § 196.44(3), Stats., which states: "Any forfeiture, fine *756 or other penalty under this chapter may be recovered as a forfeiture in a civil action brought in the name of the state .”

Wisconsin Bell, Inc. v. Pub. Serv. Comm'n, 2003 WI App 193 (Wis. Ct. App. 2003). · cites it 4× “66 (the general forfeiture statute) and under Wis. Stat. § 196.44 (3) (chapter 196's general enforcement provision).”

GTE North Inc. v. Pub. Serv. Comm'n, 486 N.W.2d 554 (Wis. Ct. App. 1992). “On appeal, the commission also cites sec. 196.44(1), Stats., which provides: "The commission shall inquire into the neglect or violation of the laws of this state by public utilities .”

Pardeeville Elec. Light Co. v. Pub. Serv. Comm'n, 17 N.W.2d 586 (Wis. 1945). “Voluminous evidence was introduced, and on June 23, 1943, the trial court entered an order that the return of the defendant commission made to the circuit court, together with a transcript of the evidence and testimony taken and received on the trial of the action, be remanded…”

— Wis. Stat. § 196.44(1) — 1 case

— Wis. Stat. § 196.44(3) — 2 cases

State Pub. Serv. Comm'n v. Wisconsin Bell, Inc., 566 N.W.2d 496 (Wis. Ct. App. 1997). “, but are specifically provided for in another statute, § 196.44(3), Stats., which states: "Any forfeiture, fine *756 or other penalty under this chapter may be recovered as a forfeiture in a civil action brought in the name of the state .”

Wisconsin Bell, Inc. v. Pub. Serv. Comm'n, 2003 WI App 193 (Wis. Ct. App. 2003). “66 (the general forfeiture statute) and under Wis. Stat. § 196.44 (3) (chapter 196's general enforcement provision).”

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