§ 25-21,275.Diversion of utility services; terms, defined.

Article 21: Special Proceedings and Actions · Last amended 2002 · Last verified July 22, 2026

In one sentenceThis section defines the terms used in Nebraska’s utility-diversion statutes, sections 25-21,275 to 25-21,278, covering what counts as bypassing, tampering, unauthorized metering, a customer, a utility, and utility service.

Full Text of § 25-21,275

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For purposes of sections 25-21,275 to 25-21,278, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) Bypassing means the act of attaching, connecting, or in any manner affixing any wire, cord, socket, motor, pipe, or other instrument, device, or contrivance to the utility supply system or any part of the system in such a manner as to transmit, supply, or use any utility service without passing through an authorized meter or other device provided for measuring, registering, determining, or limiting the amount of electricity, gas, or water consumed. Bypassing also means the act of employing any means to obtain the use or benefit of electricity, gas, or water without paying for the use at the rate established by the supplier of such utilities;

(2) Customer means the person responsible for payment for utility services for the premises and includes employees and agents of the customer;

(3) Person means any individual, firm, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, company, association, joint-stock association, and other legal entity;

(4) Tampering means the act of damaging, altering, adjusting, or in any manner interfering with or obstructing the action or operation of any meter or other device provided for measuring, registering, determining, or limiting the amount of electricity, gas, or water consumed;

(5) Unauthorized metering means the act of 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 such utility;

(6) Utility means any person or entity lawfully operating in whole or in part for the purpose of supplying electricity, gas, water, including steam, or any combination thereof, to the public or to any person;

(7) Utility service means the provision of electricity, gas, steam, water, or any other service or commodity furnished by the utility for compensation; and

(8) Utility supply system means and includes all wires, conduits, pipes, cords, sockets, motors, meters, instruments, load control equipment, and other devices used by the utility for the purpose of providing utility services.

Source

Laws 1983, LB 350, § 1; Laws 1993, LB 121, § 551; R.S.1943, (1999), § 86-331.01; Laws 2002, LB 1105, § 421.

Plain-English Summary

Before a utility can sue someone for stealing electricity, gas, or water, the law needs to say precisely what that theft looks like. Section 25-21,275 supplies the vocabulary for sections 25-21,275 to 25-21,278. Bypassing covers rigging a wire, pipe, or other device to draw utility service around the meter, or otherwise getting the benefit of electricity, gas, or water without paying the supplier’s established rate. Tampering covers damaging, adjusting, or otherwise interfering with a meter so it no longer measures usage correctly. Unauthorized metering covers moving, installing, connecting, or disconnecting a meter without the utility’s authorization.

The section also defines who and what is involved: a customer is whoever is responsible for paying for service at a location, including that person’s employees and agents; a utility is any entity supplying electricity, gas, or water to the public; and utility service is the electricity, gas, steam, or water the utility furnishes for compensation. The utility supply system is the physical network, wires, pipes, meters, and related equipment, that delivers the service. Every later section in this group of statutes builds on these definitions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “bypassing” mean under Nebraska’s utility-diversion law?

Connecting a wire, pipe, or other device to draw electricity, gas, or water around an authorized meter, or otherwise obtaining utility service without paying the supplier’s established rate.

What is the difference between tampering and unauthorized metering?

Tampering means damaging or interfering with a meter so it stops measuring usage correctly. Unauthorized metering means moving, installing, connecting, reconnecting, or disconnecting a meter without the utility’s authorization to do so.

Who counts as a “customer” under this section?

The person responsible for paying for utility service at the premises, along with that person’s employees and agents.

Does “utility” include water suppliers, or only electric and gas companies?

It includes any entity lawfully supplying electricity, gas, or water, including steam, to the public or to any person.

Why does this section matter if it just defines words?

Every civil remedy in sections 25-21,276 through 25-21,278 depends on these definitions; whether conduct counts as bypassing, tampering, or unauthorized metering decides whether a utility can recover damages.

Source & verification. Section text and the amendment-history citation are reproduced verbatim from the Nebraska Legislature, Revisor of Statutes, enacted by the Nebraska Legislature. Last verified July 22, 2026. · Official source

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