776                               LAWS OF MARYLAND                        [CH. 441

for such report or answer, shall be liable to forfeit the sum of $100
for each day it is in default with respect to any one or more of the
aforegoing requirements.

(b)  Any public service company which violates any of the pro-
visions of this article, other than the preceding subsection, shall be
liable to forfeit to the State of Maryland a sum not exceeding $2500.
for every offense. Every violation shall be a separate offense, and,
if the violation is continuing, every day or fraction thereof it con-
tinues, shall be a separate offense.

(c)  for the purposes of determining whether there is a violation
under this section, the act of any director, officer, or other person
acting within the scope of his official duties in any public service
company shall be deemed to be the act of the company.

96.    (Rates.)

In any action by any public service company for the collection of
any charge, no recovery shall be had if in the transaction on which
suit is brought, the company has demanded a rate in excess of that
which is lawful under this article at the time.

97.    (Void transactions.)

Every contract, assignment, transfer or agreement for transfer
or purchase of any stock in violation of any provision of this article
shall be entirely void and ineffective for any purpose.

98.    (Severability.)

If any part or provision of this Article or the.application thereof
to any person or circumstance be adjudged invalid, such judgment
shall be confined to the particular provision or application directly
involved in the controversy in which such judgment is rendered and
shall not affect or impair the validity of the remainder of this Article
or the application thereof to other persons or circumstances, and to
this end the provisions hereof are declared to be severable.

99.    (Saving Clause.)

Nothing in this article shall affect the terms of the members of the
Public Service Commission in office at the effective date of this Act;
and nothing in this article shall be construed as invalidating any
action lawfully taken or rights lawfully acquired by any person prior
to the effective date of this act.

100.    (Short Title.)

This article may be cited as "The Public Service Commission Law."

SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That this Act shall take effect
June 1, 1955.

Approved April 18, 1955.