(a) It is the duty of each and every company, corporation, or individual, owning, operating, or managing such a company in this state, to send to the department of transportation at its office in Nashville, the monthly, quarterly, and annual statements of the operations of such company or individual, if such reports are issued; if not, then such company or individual shall send such reports as may be issued at any special or regular time. The president or chief officer of each and every such company shall, on or before February 1 of each year, make and transmit to the department of transportation at its office in Nashville, under oath of the president or chief officer of the company, a full and true statement of the affairs of the company as the same existed on the preceding January 1, in accordance with the direction and schedules prepared and furnished by the department of transportation.

(b) All common carriers shall send a copy of all safety inspection reports of such common carrier's tracks or track system which are prepared for or made by the federal railroad administration to the department of transportation. “Common carrier” is understood not to apply to private in-plant or intra-plant trackage owned or leased by private corporations which do not engage in serving the public as common carriers.

(c) Any officer, agent, or employee failing or refusing to make, under oath, any report required by the department of transportation, within the time required, or failing or refusing to answer fully under oath, if required, any inquiry propounded by the department of transportation, or who shall, in any way, hinder or obstruct the department of transportation, in the discharge of its duties, commits a Class C misdemeanor.