(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 thereof 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.

(2) "Customer" means the person responsible for payment for utility services for the premises, and such term includes employees and agents of the customer.

(3) "Person" means any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, company, association, joint-stock association, or 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 contractor, employee, or agent of such utility.

(6) "Utility" means any pipeline corporation, gas corporation, electrical corporation, water corporation, irrigation system, cooperative association, nonprofit corporation, nonprofit association, municipality, or person operating in whole or in part for the purpose of supplying electricity, gas, steam, or water, 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.

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