S.C. Code Ann. § 58-17-140 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 17 / Article 1 / Section 58-17-140
SECTION 58-17-140. Annual report of Commission with respect to railroads.
Status: in_force

The Office of Regulatory Staff shall make an annual report to the General Assembly of its official acts, including such statements, facts, and explanations as will disclose the actual working of the system of railroad transportation in its bearing upon the business and prosperity of the State, and suggestions as to the general railroad policy of the State or any part thereof or as to the condition, affairs, or conduct of any of the railroad corporations as may seem to it appropriate, with a special report of all accidents, and the causes thereof, for the preceding year. It shall also recommend legislation as in its judgment may be necessary to secure just and reasonable rates for the transportation of passengers and freights and for the prevention of unjust discrimination. The annual report must be transmitted to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on or before the second Monday in November in each year.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-17-3940 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 17 / Article 33 / Section 58-17-3940
SECTION 58-17-3940. Penalty for failure to pay recompense for violation of rule or regulation of Commission; action for recovery.
Status: in_force

If any railroad company doing business in this State, by its agents or employees, is guilty of a violation of the rules and regulations provided and prescribed by the commission and if, after due notice of a violation given by the Office of Regulatory Staff to the principal officer thereof, ample and full recompense for the wrong or injury done to any person as may be directed by the Office of Regulatory Staff, is not made within thirty days from the time of the notice, the company shall incur a penalty for each offense of not less than one thousand dollars nor more than five thousand dollars, to be fixed by the presiding judge. An action for recovery of any penalty shall lie in any county in the State in which the violation has occurred or the wrong has been perpetrated and shall be in the name of the State. The Office of Regulatory Staff must institute any action.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-15-2130 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 15 / Article 21 / Section 58-15-2130
SECTION 58-15-2130. Penalty for noncompliance.
Status: in_force

Any person or corporation failing to comply with the provisions of this article, after a hearing, if one is applied for as set out in Section 58-15-2120, and after having been notified in writing of the decision of the proper authorities that the crossing is required by public safety, convenience and necessity, and after the lapse of thirty days from the date of such notice, shall, upon conviction, be fined ten dollars per day for each day's delay in furnishing any crossing as required hereby. The Department of Transportation shall make a complaint to any court of competent jurisdiction within the county where the offense is committed, and shall furnish evidence before such court whenever a violation of this article may occur.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-23-320 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 23 / Article 3 / Section 58-23-320
SECTION 58-23-320. Suspension, revocation, alteration or amendment of certificates; appeal.
Status: in_force

The commission may, after a hearing, order the suspension, revocation, alteration, or amendment of any certificate issued pursuant to Articles 1 through 11 of this chapter, if it is proved that the holder of the certificate wilfully made any misrepresentation of a material fact in obtaining his certificate or wilfully violated or refused to observe the laws of this State touching motor vehicle carriers or wilfully violated any of the terms of his certificate or of the commission's proper orders, rules, or regulations. But the holder of the certificate has the right of appeal to any court of competent jurisdiction. The commission must not be a party to any appeal.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-17-2760 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 17 / Article 23 / Section 58-17-2760
SECTION 58-17-2760. Criminal penalty on individuals for violation of certain statutory provisions.
Status: in_force

Any person who shall wilfully violate, aid in violating or direct or order any one to violate any of the provisions of Sections 58-17-2710 to 58-17-2740 as to the transportation of through freight shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than fifty dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or by imprisonment not less than three months nor more than twelve months, or both, in the discretion of the court.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-9-1150 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 9 / Article 9 / Section 58-9-1150
SECTION 58-9-1150. Parties who may participate in hearings.
Status: in_force

At the time fixed for any hearing before the commission or a commissioner or the time to which such hearing may have been continued, the complainant, the Office of Regulatory Staff, and the person, corporation, or telephone utility complained of shall be entitled in person or by attorney to be heard and to introduce evidence.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-9-2200 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 9 / Article 20 / Section 58-9-2200
SECTION 58-9-2200. Definitions.
Status: in_force

As used in this article: (1) "Telecommunications service" means the provision, transmission, conveyance, or routing for a consideration of voice, data, video, or any other information or signals of the purchaser's choosing to a point, or between or among points, specified by the purchaser, by or through any electronic, radio, or similar medium or method now in existence or hereafter devised. The term "telecommunications service" includes, but is not limited to, local telephone services, toll telephone services, telegraph services, teletypewriter services, teleconferencing services, private line services, channel services, Internet protocol telephony, and mobile telecommunications services and to the extent not already provided herein, those services described in North American Industry Classification System Manual (NAICS) 5171, 5172, 5173, 5174, and 5179, except satellite services exempted by law. (2) "Retail telecommunications service" includes telecommunications services as defined in item (1) of this section but shall not include: (a) telecommunications services which are used as a component part of a telecommunications service, are integrated into a telecommunications service, or are otherwise resold by another provider to the ultimate retail purchaser who originates or terminates the end-to-end communication including, but not limited to, the following: (i) carrier access charges; (ii) right of access charges; (iii) interconnection charges paid by the providers of mobile telecommunications services or other telecommunications services; (iv) charges paid by cable service providers for the transmission by another telecommunications provider of video or other programming; (v) charges for the sale of unbundled network elements; (vi) charges for the use of intercompany facilities; and (vii) charges for services provided by shared, not-for-profit public safety radio systems approved by the FCC; (b) information and data services including the storage of data or information for subsequent retrieval, the retrieval of data or information, or the processing, or reception and processing, of data or information intended to change its form or content; (c) cable or video services that are subject to franchise fees; (d) satellite television broadcast services; (e) video programming accessed via a service that enables end users to access content, information, electronic mail, or other services offered over the Internet, including streaming video content, regardless of the provider of the Internet access services; provided, however, that this exception does not include Voice over Internet Protocol service. This item (e) only applies to Article 20, Chapter 9, Title 58 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. (3) "Telecommunications company" means a provider of one or more telecommunications services. (4) "Cable service" includes, but is not limited to, the provision of video programming or other programming service to purchasers, and the purchaser interaction, if any, required for the selection or use of the video programming or other programming service, regardless of whether the programming is transmitted over facilities owned or operated by the cable service provider or over facilities owned or operated by one or more other telecommunications service providers. (5) "Mobile telecommunications service" includes, but is not limited to, any one-way or two-way radio communication service carried on between mobile stations or receivers and land stations and by mobile stations communicating among themselves, through cellular telecommunications services, personal communications services, paging services, specialized mobile radio services, and any other form of mobile one-way or two-way communications service. (6) "Service address" means the location of the telecommunications equipment from which telecommunications services are originated or at which telecommunications services are received by a retail customer. If this location is not a defined location, as in the case of mobile phones, paging systems, maritime systems, and the like, "service address" means the location of the retail customer's primary use of the telecommunications equipment or the billing address the customer gives to the service provider, provided that the billing address is within the licensed service area of the service provider. A sale of postpaid calling services is sourced to the origination point of the telecommunications signal as first identified by either (i) the seller's telecommunications system; or (ii) information received by the seller from its service provider, if the system used to transport such signals is not that of the seller. (7) "Bad debt" means any portion of a debt that is related to a sale of telecommunications services and which has become worthless or uncollectible, as determined under applicable federal income tax standards. (8) "Postpaid calling service" means the telecommunications service obtained by making a payment on a call-by-call basis either through the use of a credit card or payment mechanism such as a bank card, travel card, credit card, or debit card, or by charge made to a telephone number that is not associated with the origination or termination of the telecommunications service. Editor's Note The preamble to 1999 Act No. 112, effective June 30, 1999, provides as follows: "Whereas, Congress enacted the Telecommunications Act of 1996 to open local telephone markets to competition, and the telecommunications industry is in a state of transition; and "Whereas, in addition to new competitors in traditional local exchange telecommunications markets, a number of new technologies has developed and is developing at a rapid pace, expanding the array of telecommunications providers and services available to consumers; and "Whereas, since the passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, competition in telecommunications services and the number of competitors in the telecommunications industry in South Carolina has grown and continues to grow, as evidenced by the hundreds of new entrants into the industry. In South Carolina, over four hundred companies have been authorized to provide long distance service and over seventy companies have been authorized to provide local telephone service. South Carolina now has over one thousand authorized pay phone service providers and numerous digital and analog wireless and paging providers. Telephony may also now be provided over Internet protocol and cable modems; and "Whereas, the citizens of municipalities in South Carolina have long enjoyed the public benefit of dependable local exchange and long distance telecommunications service provided to them by telecommunications carriers that have constructed, operated, and maintained telecommunications facilities to serve those citizens, and that currently occupy the municipal rights-of-way in the State; and "Whereas, Congress has stated that nothing in Section 253 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 affects the authority of the state or local government to manage the public rights-of-way or to require fair and reasonable compensation from telecommunications providers, on a competitively neutral and nondiscriminatory basis, for use of public rights-of-way on a nondiscriminatory basis, if the compensation required is disclosed by such government. The General Assembly finds that shifting of current taxation and fees from a franchise fee basis to the basis outlined in the attached article is necessary and appropriate due to the transition of the telecommunications industry and is fair and reasonable, and taxes and fees exceeding such amount, except upon extraordinary circumstances, would be unreasonable. Now, therefore," Effect of Amendment 2024 Act No. 104, SECTION 2, in (2), made a nonsubstantive change in (d), and added (e).
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-17-190 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 17 / Article 1 / Section 58-17-190
SECTION 58-17-190. Investigation of petitions of local governments; notice.
Status: in_force

Upon the petition of the mayor and aldermen or council of any city or town or the governing body of any county within which any part of any such railroad is located, the commission shall request the Office of Regulatory Staff to make an examination of the condition and operation thereof. Before proceeding to make the examination, the Office of Regulatory Staff shall give to the petitioner and the railroad corporation reasonable notice, in writing, of the time and place of entering upon it.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-2-100 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 2 / Section 58-2-100
SECTION 58-2-100. Utility service.
Status: in_force

Upon the effective date of the amendments to Section 1-1-10, which are effective January 1, 2017, the clarified North Carolina—South Carolina boundary property located in whole or in part in North Carolina immediately prior to that date and receiving utility service from a North Carolina utility as defined under North Carolina law, may continue to receive utility service from that utility or its successors although the property is determined to be located in whole or in part in South Carolina as a result of the boundary clarification. The owners of that property have the option of requesting utility service by a similar South Carolina utility if the property is located within that utility's service area, regardless of whether the property is inside or outside a municipality. For purposes of this section only, the term "utility" shall encompass the same utilities that are covered by one or more of the various definitions for utilities and utility providers used elsewhere in the general law of this State including, but not limited to, systems owned or operated by or on behalf of a municipality or county; municipal systems as authorized in Chapter 31, Title 5; "public utility" as defined in Section 58-3-5; "telephone cooperative" as defined in Section 33-46-20; "cooperative" as used in Chapter 36, Title 33; "corporations not for profit" as used in Chapter 49, Title 33; "special purpose" and "public service districts" as authorized in Chapter 11, Title 6; "rural community water districts" as authorized in Chapter 13, Title 6; "joint municipal water systems" as authorized in Chapter 25, Title 6; "joint agency" as authorized in Chapter 24, Title 6; "natural gas authorities" created by act of the General Assembly, or are otherwise similar to utilities defined under North Carolina law.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-3-142 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 3 / Article 1 / Section 58-3-142
SECTION 58-3-142. Limitation on appearance of members of General Assembly in rate-fixing proceedings.
Status: in_force

No member of the General Assembly or any member of a member's law firm shall appear before the commission in any rate-fixing proceeding by representing any party in the proceeding for any purposes including political purposes, and it is the duty of the presiding commissioner or hearing officer to enforce the provisions of this section. However, this section does not apply to any member of the General Assembly appearing as a witness on either side of any hearing.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-27-2730 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 27 / Article 24 / Section 58-27-2730
SECTION 58-27-2730. Quarterly monitoring reports.
Status: in_force

The utility shall file with the commission monitoring reports for each twelve-month period ending on March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31 of each year, the filings to be made no later than the fifteenth day of the third month following the close of the period. The utility shall serve a copy of such reports on the Office of Regulatory Staff on the same day and by the same means as they are provided to the commission. These quarterly monitoring reports shall include: (1) the utility's actual net plant in service, construction work in progress, accumulated deferred income taxes, inventory, working capital, and other rate base components. The report shall also show the utility's depreciation expense, operating and maintenance expense, income taxes, taxes other than income taxes, other components of income for return, revenues, capital structure, cost of debt, overall cost of capital, and earned return on common equity; (2) all applicable accounting and pro forma adjustments historically permitted or required by the commission for the utility in question or for similarly situated utilities, authorized by general principles of utility accounting, or authorized by accounting letters or orders issued by the commission. This authorization may occur either in a general rate hearing or in any other type of filing or hearing that the commission considers appropriate. However, other parties shall be given sufficient opportunity to review and provide comments on any proposed accounting letter or order issued after the initial order allowing future base rate adjustments pursuant to this article; (3) pro forma adjustments to annualize for the twelve-month period any rate adjustments imposed pursuant to this article or other events affecting only part of the period covered by the filing so that the annualization is required to show the effects of those events on the utility's earnings going forward; and (4) pro forma or other adjustments required to properly account for atypical, unusual, or nonrecurring events. Editor's Note 2025 Act No. 41, SECTION 1, provides as follows: "SECTION 1. This act may be cited as the 'South Carolina Energy Security Act.' " 2025 Act No. 41, SECTION 33, provides as follows: "SECTION 33. (A) To foster economic development and future jobs in this State resulting from the supply chains associated with the same while supporting the significant and growing energy and capacity needs of the State, enhance grid resiliency, and maintain reliability, the General Assembly finds that the State of South Carolina should take steps necessary to encourage the development of a diverse mix of long-lead, clean generation resources that may include nuclear and advanced nuclear, biomass as defined in Section 12-63-20(B)(2) of the S.C. Code, hydrogen-capable resources, fusion energy, and other technologies, and should preserve the option of efficiency development of such long-lead resources with timely actions to establish or maintain eligibility for or capture available tax or other financial incentives or address operational needs. "(B) For an electrical utility to capture available tax or other financial or operational incentives for South Carolina ratepayers in a timely manner, the commission may find that actions by an electrical utility in pursuit of the directives in Section 58-37-35(A) are in the public interest, provided that the commission determines that such proposed actions are in the public interest and reasonably balance economic development and industry retention benefits, capacity expansion benefits, resource adequacy and diversification and potential risks, costs, and benefits to ratepayers and otherwise comply with all other legal requirements applicable to the electrical utility's proposed action. For the South Carolina Public Service Authority, the Office of Regulatory Staff and the Public Service Authority's board of directors shall apply the same principles described in this subsection in evaluating and approving actions proposed by the management of the Public Service Authority to achieve the objectives of this section." 2025 Act No. 41, SECTION 41, provides as follows: "SECTION 41. (A) Five years after the effective date of this act, the Office of the Regulatory Staff shall prepare a report, to be filed with the Public Utilities Review Committee and the General Assembly, to address the implementation of Article 24, Chapter 27, Title 58 as it relates to the following areas: "(1) assessing the functioning of the procedures established by section with recommendation for any changes required to ensure their efficient functioning, to promote regulatory efficiency, and to make further the establishment of just, reasonable, and fair rates; "(2) assessing the effect of rates on ratepayers of all classes; "(3) assessing the reliability of the electric system and whether investments made by electric utilities increased reliability compared to any change in electric utility rates experienced by ratepayers within the same timeframe; and "(4) any other information requested by the General Assembly to be included within the report. "(B) The Office of Regulatory Staff may engage a qualified, independent third party to assist in preparation of the report. "(C) All expenses and charges incurred by the Office of Regulatory Staff in the performance of its duties within this section may be defrayed by assessments made by the Comptroller General against the regulated electrical utilities regulated and based upon twenty-five percent of the gross revenues collected by such electrical utilities from their business done wholly within this State in the manner set out in Section 58-4-60 for other corporations." 2025 Act No. 41, SECTION 42, provides as follows: "SECTION 42. Upon passage of this act, Dominion Energy shall evaluate the process for converting the Wateree Generating Station from coal-fired generation to biomass-fired generation. Biomass-fired generation includes, but is not limited to, generation from the firing of wood pellets and wood chips. Dominion Energy must make a report concerning the conversion process to the Public Service Commission and General Assembly by no later than January 13, 2026."
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-23-1140 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 23 / Article 12 / Section 58-23-1140
SECTION 58-23-1140. Exclusion of transporters of farm or forest products.
Status: in_force

The Public Service Commission and the Office of Regulatory Staff have no jurisdiction for safety purposes over persons engaged in transporting farm products or forest products from the farm to the first market.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-27-1115 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 27 / Article 8 / Section 58-27-1115
SECTION 58-27-1115. Treatment of storm recovery bonds and storm recovery charges.
Status: in_force

(A) The commission may not, in exercising its powers and carrying out its duties regarding any matter within its authority pursuant to this chapter, consider the storm recovery bonds issued pursuant to a financing order to be the debt of the electrical utility other than for federal income tax purposes, consider the storm recovery charges paid under the financing order to be the revenue of the electrical utility for any purpose, or consider the storm recovery costs or financing costs specified in the financing order to be the costs of the electrical utility, nor may the commission determine any action taken by an electrical utility which is consistent with the financing order to be unjust or unreasonable unless the electrical utility abandons the issuance of storm recovery bonds or the electrical utility's petition for a financing order is ultimately denied. (B) The commission may not order or otherwise directly or indirectly require an electrical utility to use storm recovery bonds to finance any project, addition, plant, facility, extension, capital improvement, equipment, or any other expenditure except as permitted under this article. After the issuance of a financing order, the electrical utility retains sole discretion regarding whether to cause the storm recovery bonds to be issued, including the right to defer or postpone such sale, assignment, transfer, or issuance, unless otherwise provided in the financing order. Nothing shall prevent the electrical utility from abandoning the issuance of storm recovery bonds under the financing order by filing with the commission a statement of abandonment and the reasons therefor. The commission may not refuse to allow an electrical utility to recover storm recovery costs in an otherwise permissible fashion, or refuse or condition authorization or approval of the issuance and sale by an electrical utility of securities or the assumption by the electrical utility of liabilities or obligations, solely because of the potential availability of storm recovery bond financing.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-23-1610 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 23 / Article 16 / Section 58-23-1610
SECTION 58-23-1610. Definitions.
Status: in_force

For purposes of this article: (1) "Transportation Network Company" or "TNC" means a person, corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, or other entity operating in this State that uses a digital network, platform, or Internet-enabled application to connect a passenger to a transportation network driver for the purpose of providing transportation for compensation using a vehicle. A transportation network company does not include transportation services provided pursuant to Articles 1 through 15, Chapter 23, Title 58, or arranging nonemergency medical transportation for individuals qualifying for Medicaid or Medicare pursuant to a contract with the State or a managed care organization. (2) "Personal vehicle" means a vehicle that is used by a transportation network company driver in connection with providing a prearranged ride and is: (a) owned, leased, or otherwise authorized for use by the transportation network company driver; and (b) not a taxi, charter bus, charter limousine, or for-hire vehicle. (3) "Digital network" means any Internet-enabled application, software, website, or system offered or used by a TNC that enables the prearrangement of rides with transportation network company drivers. (4) "Transportation Network Company driver" or "TNC driver" means a person who uses a vehicle to provide transportation service for passengers matched through a transportation network company's digital network. (5) "Transportation Network Company insurance" or "TNC insurance" means an insurance policy that specifically covers a driver's use of a vehicle in connection with a transportation network company's digital network, platform, or Internet-enabled application. (6) "Transportation Network Company passenger" or "TNC passenger" means a person for whom transportation is provided through a transportation network company's digital network. This includes a person for whom arrangements for transportation services using the transportation network company's digital network was arranged by someone other than the passenger. (7) "Transportation Network Company service" or "TNC service" means a period of time when a transportation network company driver accepts a request arranged through the transportation network company's digital network and proceeds to the passenger location, continues while the transportation network company driver transports a requesting passenger in the transportation network company vehicle, and ends when the last requesting passenger exits the transportation network company vehicle. (8) "Transportation Network Company vehicle" or "TNC vehicle" means a vehicle that is used by a TNC driver that has met the requirements of this article and has been approved by the TNC to provide transportation service arranged through a transportation network company digital platform. It must not have a manufacturer's rated seating capacity of more than eight passengers, including the driver. (9) "Prearranged ride" means the provision of transportation by a transportation network company driver to a transportation network company rider, beginning when a driver accepts a ride requested by a rider through a digital network controlled by a transportation network company, continuing while the driver transports a requesting rider, and ending when the last requesting rider departs from the personal vehicle. A prearranged ride does not include shared expense carpool or vanpool arrangements, or transportation provided using a taxi, limousine, or other for-hire vehicle pursuant to a Class C certificate issued by the South Carolina Public Service Commission or pursuant to a license issued by the governing body of a county or city. A prearranged ride does not include services provided pursuant to Articles 1 through 15, Chapter 23, Title 58 or arranging nonemergency medical transportation for individuals qualifying for Medicaid or Medicare pursuant to a contract with the State or a managed care organization. (10) "Transportation Network Company rider" or "rider" means an individual or individuals who use a transportation network company's digital network to connect with a transportation network driver who provides prearranged rides to the rider in the driver's personal vehicle between points chosen by the rider.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-25-55 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 25 / Section 58-25-55
SECTION 58-25-55. Prohibition against use of funds by pre-existing authorities for promotion of provisions of this chapter.
Status: in_force

No presently existing transportation authority, agency, etc., may use any transportation authority funds to promote the provisions of this Chapter in an election or referendum.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-15-1740 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 15 / Article 17 / Section 58-15-1740
SECTION 58-15-1740. Special agreements.
Status: in_force

Nothing in this article shall be construed to prevent the department or subdivision from reaching special agreements with railroad companies providing for grade crossing eliminations by means of relocation of either the roads or railroads involved or by any other means and arranging for joint participation in the cost of such elimination on an agreed basis.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-27-1050 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 27 / Article 7 / Section 58-27-1050
SECTION 58-27-1050. Distributed energy resources; report required.
Status: in_force

The Office of Regulatory Staff, with guidance and feedback from the electrical utilities and other interested parties, shall investigate and report to the Public Service Commission on fixed costs, fixed charges, and the extent of cost shifting that is attributable to distributed energy resources within current utility cost of service ratemaking methodologies, cost allocations, and rate designs, with a focus on the implications distributed energy resources could have for that business model in the future. The report shall review how to ensure a fair allocation of costs and benefits between consumers who utilize distributed energy resources and consumers who do not utilize distributed energy resources, as well as suggesting any necessary or prudent changes to existing or future rate structures. The report shall include a general overview of cost shifting that is attributable to or arising from historical cost of service ratemaking related to the current utility business model, specifically the cost of service ratemaking methodology, the cost allocations and rate designs. The findings shall include public comment and be reported to the Public Service Commission by December 31, 2015. Editor's Note 2014 Act No. 236, SECTION 9, provides as follows: "SECTION 9. If the application of the provisions of this act to any wholesale electrical contract existing on the date of its adoption is determined to impair unlawfully any term of such contract or to add material costs to either party, then that contract will be exempt from the terms of this act to the extent necessary to cure such impairment or to avoid the imposition of additional material costs."
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-3-25 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 3 / Article 1 / Section 58-3-25
SECTION 58-3-25. Conflict of interest; commission members and employees.
Status: repealed

(A) Unless otherwise provided by law, no person may serve as a member of the commission if the commission regulates any business with which that person is associated. (B) If the commission regulates a business with which an employee of the commission is associated, the employee must annually file a statement of economic interests notwithstanding the provisions of Section 8-13-1110. (C) No person may be an employee of the commission if the commission regulates a business with which the employee is associated, and this relationship creates a continuing or frequent conflict with the performance of his official responsibilities. Editor's Note A previous SECTION 58-3-25, derived from 1979 Act No. 167, SECTION 5, pertained to the criteria for selecting persons for nomination to the Public Service Commission. This section was repealed by 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 1617(A), eff July 1, 1993.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-17-150 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 17 / Article 1 / Section 58-17-150
SECTION 58-17-150. Notification of needed repairs or improvements; legal action to enforce.
Status: in_force

(A) Whenever, in the judgment of the Office of Regulatory Staff, it shall appear that repairs are necessary upon any such railroad or that any addition to the rolling stock or any enlargement of, or improvement in, the stations or station houses, any modification in the rates of fare for transporting freight or passengers or any change in the mode of operating the road and conducting its business is reasonable and expedient in order to promote the security, convenience, and accommodation of the public, the Office of Regulatory Staff shall give information in writing to the corporation of the repairs, additions, improvements, or changes which it adjudges to be proper. If the company shall fail, within sixty days, to adopt the suggestions of the Office of Regulatory Staff, it shall take legal proceedings as it may deem expedient and may call upon the Attorney General to institute and conduct such proceedings. The power herein conferred upon the Office of Regulatory Staff shall be sufficient to require of common carriers the establishment and maintenance of terminal facilities, the extension of pass tracks, sidetracks, and other than industrial tracks and all other improvements and changes which seem reasonable and expedient to the Office of Regulatory Staff. (B) Any railroad subject to the jurisdiction of the commission may retire any team track within this State upon showing that the track has not been used for at least two years. Before any track is retired for nonuse, the railroad shall give thirty days' written notice to the commission and to the Office of Regulatory Staff . The notice must be accompanied by a fee of fifty dollars and an affidavit of the railroad's agent or employee having personal knowledge of the fact that the track has not been used by the public during the two-year period immediately preceding the retirement date of the track.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-17-620 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 17 / Article 5 / Section 58-17-620
SECTION 58-17-620. Procedure for consolidation.
Status: in_force

Any consolidation of railroad companies must be made under the conditions, provisions, and restrictions and with the powers in this article mentioned and contained, that is to say: (1) The directors of the several corporations proposing to consolidate may enter into a joint agreement, under the corporate seal of each company, for the consolidation of such companies and railroads and prescribing the terms and conditions of them, the mode of carrying it into effect, the name of the new corporation, the number and names of the directors and other officers of it who shall be the first directors and officers and their places of residence, the number of shares of the capital stock, the amount of par value of each share, the manner of converting the capital stock of each of the companies into that of the new corporation and how and when directors and officers must be chosen, with such other details as they shall consider necessary to perfect such new organization and the consolidation of such companies; (2) Such agreement must be submitted to the stockholders of each of the companies at a meeting thereof, called separately, for the purpose of taking it into consideration; due notice of the time and place of holding such meeting and the object of it must be given by a general notice published in some newspaper in the city, town, or county in which the company has its principal office or place of business; at the meeting of stockholders the agreement of the directors must be considered and a vote, by ballot, taken for the adoption or rejection of it, each share entitling the holder of it to one vote; the ballots must be cast in person or by proxy; if a majority of all the votes of all the stockholders are for the adoption of the agreement that fact must be certified thereon by the secretary of the respective companies, under the seal of it; and the agreement so adopted, or a certified copy of it, must be filed in the office of the Secretary of State, and must from thence be deemed and taken to be the agreement and the act of consolidation of the companies and a copy of the agreement and act of consolidation, duly certified by the Secretary of State under the seal of it, must be evidence of the existence of such new corporation.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-9-1170 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 9 / Article 9 / Section 58-9-1170
SECTION 58-9-1170. Effective date of order.
Status: in_force

The order shall take effect and become operative twenty days after the service thereof, unless otherwise provided, and shall continue in force either for a period which may be designated therein or until changed or revoked by the Commission. If an order cannot, in the judgment of the Commission, be complied with within twenty days, the Commission may grant and prescribe such additional time as in its judgment is reasonably necessary to comply with the order and may, on application and for good cause shown, extend the time for compliance fixed in its order.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-15-1920 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 15 / Article 19 / Section 58-15-1920
SECTION 58-15-1920. Necessity of work shall be determined by Department; notice to companies.
Status: in_force

The necessity for any such reconstruction, changes or alterations shall be determined by the Department of Transportation and made in accordance with plans adopted by the department. But any railroad company concerned shall be given at least ten days' notice before any such work is initiated by the department and shall be permitted by the department to offer suggestions and counsel as to the proposed reconstruction, changes or alteration.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-17-4190 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 17 / Article 33 / Section 58-17-4190
SECTION 58-17-4190. Chapter shall not affect rights of persons injured to action for private damages.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall not be so construed as to affect the right of any person injured by the violation of any law in regard to railroad corporations from prosecuting or proceeding for his private damages in any manner allowed by law.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-9-1130 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 9 / Article 9 / Section 58-9-1130
SECTION 58-9-1130. Conduct of hearings and proceedings.
Status: in_force

All commission hearings and proceedings shall be governed by law and by rules of practice and procedure adopted by the commission.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-1-30 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 1 / Section 58-1-30
SECTION 58-1-30. Bond required of public utilities appealing from rate decisions.
Status: in_force

When any public utility in this State appeals from any order or decision fixing a rate for its service lower than that obtaining at the time of such order or decision, before any such appeal shall operate as a supersedeas such utility shall give bond to the South Carolina Department of Revenue to insure compliance on its part with the rates as fixed in the order from which the appeal is taken, in the event that the order appealed from is affirmed. The amount of the bond shall be fixed by the court to which the appeal is taken and shall be sufficient to cover the amount that may become due to customers by way of refund during the time that the operation of the rate-fixing order is stayed pending the final determination of its validity.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-11-140 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 11 / Article 1 / Section 58-11-140
SECTION 58-11-140. Sale or other disposition of property, powers, franchises or privileges.
Status: in_force

No radio common carrier, without the approval of the Commission after due hearing and compliance with all other existing requirements of the laws of the State in relation thereto, shall sell, transfer, lease, consolidate or merge its property, powers, franchises or privileges or any of them used directly in the conduct of business as a radio common carrier.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-17-3980 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 17 / Article 33 / Section 58-17-3980
SECTION 58-17-3980. Damages and penalty for unlawful acts where no specific penalty provided.
Status: in_force

If any person commits or allows to be committed any act, matter, or thing in this chapter declared to be unlawful, omits to do any act, matter, or thing in this chapter required to be done, or is guilty of any violation of any of the provisions of this chapter, that person must, when no specific penalty is herein provided for the violation, forfeit and pay to the person who may sustain damage thereby a sum equal to three times the amount of the damages so sustained, to be recovered by the person so damaged by suit in the circuit court of any county in this State in which the person causing the damage can be found or may have an agent, office, or place of business. But in the case of recovery, the damage shall not be assessed at a less sum than two hundred and fifty dollars. And the person so offending shall, for each offense, forfeit and pay a penalty of not less than one thousand dollars, to be recovered by the State by action in any such circuit court to be brought by the Office of Regulatory Staff upon the request of the Public Service Commission.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-15-1640 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 15 / Article 17 / Section 58-15-1640
SECTION 58-15-1640. Procedure when agreement shall not be reached.
Status: in_force

Failing to agree, the department or subdivision may order the railroad involved to proceed with the construction of such a structure as it may require as indicated in plans and specifications accompanying its order. The railroad shall begin work thereon within sixty days after receipt of such order and shall complete the structure within a reasonable time.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-23-1360 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 23 / Article 13 / Section 58-23-1360
SECTION 58-23-1360. Transfer of license upon replacement of vehicle.
Status: in_force

In the event that any public taxi for which a license shall have been issued shall be permanently replaced by another car the owner shall within twenty-four hours after such replacement report it to the governing body of such county giving the necessary information to identify the taxi for which the license was issued and the taxi replacing it and such other information as the governing body may require and thereupon such license shall be transferred on the register of the governing body to the replacing car and be cancelled as to the replaced car if all the other provisions of this article shall be complied with.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-11-260 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 11 / Article 1 / Section 58-11-260
SECTION 58-11-260. Revocation of certificate of authorization upon revocation of articles of incorporation.
Status: in_force

If the articles of incorporation of any radio common carrier are revoked by the Secretary of State, the Public Service Commission shall immediately revoke the certificate of authorization granted to such carrier. Whenever such certificate is revoked for any cause, the Office of Regulatory Staff and the appropriate bureau of the Federal Communications Commission shall be promptly notified of such revocation by the Public Service Commission.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-17-360 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 17 / Article 3 / Section 58-17-360
SECTION 58-17-360. Persons signing certificate shall be body corporate; powers.
Status: in_force

The persons signing such certificate and their successors shall be a body corporate and politic, by the name specified in such certificate, with power to sue and be sued, contract and be contracted with and to own, possess, maintain and operate the railroad referred to in such certificate and to transact all business connected therewith.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-21-50 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 21 / Article 1 / Section 58-21-50
SECTION 58-21-50. Penalties.
Status: in_force

Any person owning and operating an electric railway or electric cars carrying passengers shall, for failure to perform any duty prescribed in Sections 58-21-210, 58-21-220, 58-21-240, 58-21-300, or 58-21-310, be liable to a penalty of two hundred and fifty dollars per day for each day during which such nonperformance shall happen or continue and any person feeling aggrieved by the violation of any of such provisions by any corporation or who may ascertain that such violation exists may bring an action at law or in equity to enforce any such provisions and shall, upon collection of the penalty herein provided for, be entitled to such part thereof as may be sufficient to defray the actual expenses of the action at law, such amount to be fixed by the presiding judge, the balance to be turned into the county treasury for county purposes. Such action may be brought in any county wherein any such violation of any of such provisions occurs and when so brought shall not be merged or destroyed by any action thereafter brought by the Attorney General. But only one penalty shall be imposed for any one violation of any of such provisions.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-31-160 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 31 / Article 1 / Section 58-31-160
SECTION 58-31-160. Authority may construct Santee-Cooper project.
Status: in_force

The Public Service Authority may construct the Santee-Cooper hydroelectric and navigation project as outlined and described in the license issued by the Federal Power Commission to Columbia Railway and Navigation Company for the construction of project No. S. C. 199, dated April 2, 1926 and amended February 14, 1927, May 31, 1933 and May 13, 1937, and on license drawings prepared and filed with said Commission at the time of the issuance of said license and said amendments and thereafter as required by the terms and provisions of said license and the amendatory plans and drawings filed or to be filed by the Public Service Authority with said Commission and approved or to be approved by said Commission or as outlined and described in any new license or licenses that the Authority may obtain from said Commission under the terms of this chapter.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-17-380 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 17 / Article 3 / Section 58-17-380
SECTION 58-17-380. Adoption of bylaws, rules and regulations by corporation.
Status: in_force

Any such corporation may make bylaws, rules and regulations in relation to its business, the number of its directors and the times and places of holding meetings of the stockholders and directors and may alter and change such bylaws as may be deemed expedient; provided, that such bylaws, rules and regulations shall conform to the laws of this State.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-11-450 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 11 / Article 3 / Section 58-11-450
SECTION 58-11-450. Investigations.
Status: in_force

The Office of Regulatory Staff may investigate and examine the condition and operation of radio common carriers or any particular radio common carrier.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-27-1580 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 27 / Article 11 / Section 58-27-1580
SECTION 58-27-1580. Furnishing information and reports; forms.
Status: in_force

Every electrical utility must furnish the Office of Regulatory Staff in such form and in such detail as the Office of Regulatory Staff requires, subject to the approval of the commission, all tabulations, computations, and other information required by the Office of Regulatory Staff to carry into effect any of the provisions of this chapter and must make special answer to all questions submitted by the Office of Regulatory Staff. Each electrical utility receiving from the Office of Regulatory Staff any blanks with directions to fill out must cause the blanks to be properly filled out so as to answer fully and correctly each question propounded therein and it shall return the tabulations, computations, and other information to the Office of Regulatory Staff within the time required. But in case any electrical utility is unable to answer any question, it must so state with good and sufficient reasons therefor. When required by the Office of Regulatory Staff, each electrical utility must deliver to the Office of Regulatory Staff copies of any or all maps, profiles, contracts, franchises, reports, books, accounts, papers, and records in its possession or in any way relating to its property or affecting its business and also a complete inventory of its property in the form as the Office of Regulatory Staff directs. Each electrical utility must, when required by the Office of Regulatory Staff, furnish in such form as the Office of Regulatory Staff requires all such reports as it may be directed by the Office of Regulatory Staff to furnish in relation to its operations, property, or business, and the Office of Regulatory Staff may require either periodical or special reports concerning any matter as to which it desires to inquire in order to keep itself informed in the performance of its duties under this chapter. All reports must be under oath by the officer or officers of the electrical utility as may be required by the Office of Regulatory Staff.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-33-280 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 33 / Article 4 / Section 58-33-280
SECTION 58-33-280. Requests for approval of revised rates.
Status: in_force

(A) No earlier than one year after filing the application or combined application, and no more frequently than annually thereafter, the utility may file with the commission and serve on the Office of Regulatory Staff requests for the approval of revised rates subsequent to those approved in the base load review order. (B) A utility must be allowed to recover through revised rates its weighted average cost of capital applied to all or, at the utility's option, part of the outstanding balance of construction work in progress, calculated as of a date specified in the filing. Any construction work in progress not included in any specific filing for revised rates shall continue to earn AFUDC and may be included in rates through future filings. The revised rates filing shall include the most recent monitoring report filed under Section 58-33-277(A) updated to reflect information current as of the date specified in the filing. (C) Written comments to the commission and the Office of Regulatory Staff concerning the revised rates and the information supporting them shall be allowed within one month of the revised rates filing. (D) The Office of Regulatory Staff shall review and audit the revised rates and the information supporting them to determine their compliance with the terms of this article. No later than two months after the date of the revised rates filing, the Office of Regulatory Staff shall serve on the commission and all intervenors and parties of record a report indicating the results of its review and audit and proposing any changes to the revised rates or the information supporting them that the Office of Regulatory Staff determines to be necessary to comply with the terms of this article. (E) Written comments related to the report may be filed with the commission within one month from the date of the filing of the report. Comments must be served on the Office of Regulatory Staff and simultaneously mailed or electronically transmitted to the utility and to all intervenors and parties of record who previously appeared and filed comments. The Office of Regulatory Staff may revise its report considering comments filed. (F) No later than four months after the date of the revised rates filing, the commission shall issue a revised rates order granting, modifying, or denying revised rates as filed by the utility. In the absence of such a revised rates order, the revised rates shall be considered to be approved as filed. If the commission fails to issue an order within the period prescribed in this section, a party may move that the commission issue an order granting or denying the application. If the commission fails to issue an order within ten days after the motion is served, the application will be considered granted. (G) Where both Office of Regulatory Staff and the utility agree in writing on the revised rates to be implemented, the commission may give weight to the agreement in issuing its revised rates order but may consider additional factors at its discretion. (H) If the utility is granted a rate increase in the revised rates order, the utility shall provide notice to its customers with the next billing. The utility may implement revised rates for bills rendered on or after a date selected by the utility, which may not be sooner than thirty days after revised rates are approved. (I) Upon implementation of revised rates under this article, the utility will cease to accrue AFUDC on that component of its construction work in progress on which it is recovering its weighted average cost of capital through revised rates. (J) Other provisions of this article notwithstanding: (1) The utility may file a final set of revised rates for a plant to go into effect upon commercial operation of the plant, the filing to be made no sooner than seven months before the projected date that the plant is to commence commercial operations. In the final revised rates the utility may include recovery of the weighted average cost of capital applied to all or part of the capital costs associated with the plant. In all cases, the decision to seek recovery in revised rates of less than the full amount of its cost must be at the utility's sole discretion. Rate adjustments to reflect the revenue requirements related to in-service expenses must be included in the final revised rates and shall be based on the utility's most current budget estimates of those expenses for the succeeding twelve-month period at the time the final revised rates are filed or actual expenses, if available. (2) If the commission rejects a revised rate filing on grounds that may be corrected in a subsequent filing, or if the utility withdraws a revised rate filing before a revised rates order is issued, the utility may file a subsequent request for revised rates at any time thereafter. (3) The utility may seek to recover any capital costs, in-service expenses, or other costs not included in revised rates through future general rate proceedings. (4) Revised rates shall not be allowed, under Section 58-33-270(C) or under Section 58-33-280, for coal plants located in South Carolina that were certificated for construction under the Utility Facility Siting and Environmental Protection Act before December 31, 2007, or for coal plants located outside of South Carolina if certificated under a state statute analogous to the Utility Facility Siting and Environmental Protection Act before December 31, 2007. (K) Where a plant is abandoned after a base load review order approving rate recovery has been issued, the capital costs and AFUDC related to the plant shall nonetheless be recoverable under this article provided that the utility shall bear the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that the decision to abandon construction of the plant was prudent. Without limiting the effect of Section 58-33-275(A), recovery of capital costs and the utility's cost of capital associated with them may be disallowed only to the extent that the failure by the utility to anticipate or avoid the allegedly imprudent costs, or to minimize the magnitude of the costs, was imprudent considering the information available at the time that the utility could have acted to avoid or minimize the costs. The commission shall order the amortization and recovery through rates of the investment in the abandoned plant as part of an order adjusting rates under this article. (L) After completion of a plant that is subject to a base load review order, the Office of Regulatory Staff shall conduct an audit of the utility revenues, expenses, and rates consistent with the audits conducted of filings for new electric rates under Section 58-27-860. The audit must be based on a twelve-month test period ending no later than December thirty-first of the calendar year following the year in which the plant entered commercial operation and must be filed with all parties to the base load review proceeding within four months of the conclusion of the test period. Editor's Note 2018 Act No. 258, SECTION 12, provides as follows: "SECTION 12. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor and applies to all cases, proceedings, petitions, or matters pending before the Public Service Commission or in any other court or venue on or after the effective date of this act." Effect of Amendment 2018 Act No. 258, SECTION 4, in (G), substituted "may give weight to the agreement in issuing its revised rates order but may consider additional factors at its discretion" for "shall give substantial weight to the agreement in issuing its revised rates order" at the end.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-17-2610 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 17 / Article 23 / Section 58-17-2610
SECTION 58-17-2610. Connecting railroads shall operate as one for rate purposes when operated by same company.
Status: in_force

All connecting railroads doing business in this State and under the management or control, by lease, ownership, association or otherwise, of one and the same person shall for purposes of transportation, in applying freight and passenger tariffs, be considered as constituting but one and the same road and the rate shall be computed as upon parts of one and the same road unless otherwise specified by the Commission.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-5-50 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 5 / Article 1 / Section 58-5-50
SECTION 58-5-50. Exemption of certain term contracts from declaration of unreasonableness by Commission.
Status: in_force

Nothing contained in Articles 1, 3 and 5 of this chapter shall authorize the Commission to declare any rate, toll, charge or fare contained in any contract voluntarily entered into prior to March 24, 1922 for a term of years by and between any public utility and any person or corporation, whether public, private or municipal, for the sale and purchase of gas, or other commodity, the subject of such contract, to be unreasonable and noncompensatory without the consent of both parties to such contract.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-9-1160 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 9 / Article 9 / Section 58-9-1160
SECTION 58-9-1160. Findings and orders; sufficiency; service.
Status: in_force

After the conclusion of a hearing, the commission shall make and file its findings and order with its opinion, if any. Its findings shall be in sufficient detail to enable a court on review to determine the controverted question presented by the proceeding and whether proper weight was given to the evidence. A copy of the order, certified under the seal of the commission, shall be served either personally or by registered mail upon the person, corporation, or telephone utility against whom it runs, or his or its attorney and the Office of Regulatory Staff, and notice thereof shall be given either personally or by mail to the other parties to the proceedings or their attorneys.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-33-277 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 33 / Article 4 / Section 58-33-277
SECTION 58-33-277. Reports; contents; on-going monitoring by Office of Regulatory Staff.
Status: in_force

(A) After issuance of a base load review order approving rate recovery for capital costs related to the plant, the utility will file reports with the Office of Regulatory Staff quarterly until the plant begins commercial operation. These reports must be filed no later than forty-five days after the close of a quarter, shall not be combined with any other filing, and shall contain the following information: (1) the progress of construction of the plant; (2) updated construction schedules; (3) schedules of the capital costs incurred including updates to the information required by Section 58-33-270(B)(5); (4) updated schedules of the anticipated capital costs; and (5) other information as the Office of Regulatory Staff may require. (B) The Office of Regulatory Staff shall conduct on-going monitoring of the construction of the plant and expenditure of capital through review and audit of the quarterly reports under this article, and shall have the right to inspect the books and records regarding the plant and the physical progress of construction upon reasonable notice to the utility.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-27-1310 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 27 / Article 9 / Section 58-27-1310
SECTION 58-27-1310. Lease of property and franchises.
Status: in_force

Any electric light company organized under the laws of this State may lease its property and franchises to any other electric light company, upon such terms as may be agreed upon by a majority of the stockholders at a special meeting called after thirty days' advertisement.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-21-250 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 21 / Article 3 / Section 58-21-250
SECTION 58-21-250. Electric railway companies shall affix enclosed vestibules to cars in certain months.
Status: in_force

Electric railway companies shall affix to their cars or coaches enclosed vestibules of wood, iron or glass and maintain side doors on such vestibules for the protection of motormen and passengers during the months of December, January, February and March. The failure of any such company to comply with the provisions of this section subjects it to a penalty of ten dollars per day, to be recovered by any citizen in the city or town in which such company does business, one fourth thereof to go to the person bringing suit to enforce the law and the remaining three fourths for the benefit of the State.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-27-80 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 27 / Article 1 / Section 58-27-80
SECTION 58-27-80. Annual report of Commission.
Status: in_force

As a separate section or division of the annual report which it is now required by law to make the Commission annually shall file a report containing a full and complete account of its transactions and proceedings under this chapter for the preceding calendar year, together with such other pertinent facts, suggestions and recommendations as it may deem of value to the people of the State.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-12-340 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 12 / Article 3 / Section 58-12-340
SECTION 58-12-340. Review of cable or video service provider's business records by municipality or county.
Status: in_force

(A) A municipality or county may, upon reasonable written request but no more than once per year and only once with respect to any given period, review the business records of a cable or video service provider to the extent necessary to ensure payment of the franchise fee in accordance with Section 58-12-330. Within ninety days after receipt of a request by a county or municipality for business records pursuant to this subsection, a holder of a state-issued certificate of franchise authority must inform the requesting county or municipality of the status of the request. Thereafter, the parties must, upon request by either party, work in good faith to develop a mutually acceptable schedule for the provision of such records. (B) No municipality, county, or holder of a state-issued certificate of franchise authority may bring any suit arising out of or relating to the amounts allegedly due to a municipality or county under Section 58-12-330, unless that entity has first initiated good-faith settlement discussions in accordance with the negotiation and mediation procedures set forth in subsection (C). All negotiations and mediation pursuant to this section must be confidential and must be treated as compromise and settlement negotiations for purposes of the Federal Rules of Evidence and South Carolina Rules of Evidence. (C) A municipality, county, or holder of a state-issued certificate of franchise authority shall give the other party written notice of any dispute not resolved in the normal course of business. At the request of the municipality or county, the parties shall participate in mediation governed by procedures established in the South Carolina Circuit Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules that are in effect at the time for the State or for any portion of the State. Representatives of both parties, with authority to settle the dispute, must meet at a mutually agreeable time and place within thirty calendar days after receipt of such notice, and thereafter as often as reasonably deemed necessary, to exchange relevant information and attempt to resolve the dispute. If the dispute has not been resolved within sixty calendar days after receipt of the notice, either the municipality or the county may initiate nonbinding mediation. The mediation must be conducted in accordance with the South Carolina Circuit Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules that are in effect at the time for the State or for any portion of the State and must take place at a mutually agreeable time and location. (D) Any suit with respect to a dispute arising out of or relating to the amount of the franchise fee allegedly due to a municipality or county under Section 58-12-330 must be filed by the municipality or county seeking to recover an additional amount alleged to be due, or by the holder of a state-issued certificate of franchise authority seeking a refund of an alleged overpayment, in a court of competent jurisdiction within three years following the end of the quarter to which the disputed amount relates; provided, however, that the time period may be extended by written agreement between the holder of a state-issued certificate of franchise authority and a municipality or county. Good faith participation in and completion of the negotiation and mediation procedures set forth in subsection (C) shall be a condition precedent to proceeding with the suit beyond its filing to toll the limitations period set forth in this subsection. (E) Each party shall bear its own costs incurred in connection with any and all of the activities and procedures set forth in this section. A municipality or county may not employ, appoint, or retain any person or entity for compensation that is dependent in any manner upon the outcome of any such audit, including, without limitation, the audit findings or the recovery of fees or other payment by the municipality or county. A person or entity may not solicit or accept compensation dependent in any manner upon the outcome of any such audit, including, without limitation, the audit findings or the recovery of fees or other payment by the municipality or county. (F) A municipality or county may contract with a third party for the collection of the franchise fees and enforcement of the provisions of this chapter.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-3-220 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 3 / Article 1 / Section 58-3-220
SECTION 58-3-220. Disposition of penalties and forfeitures for failure to comply with orders of commission.
Status: in_force

One-half of all penalties and forfeitures collected from railroad, express, telegraph, and telephone companies for failure to comply with orders of the commission must be paid into the state treasury, and the other half into the county treasury of the county in which the suit is brought imposing the penalty or forfeiture collected. The revenues accruing from these collections must be used for general state and county purposes.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-27-2550 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 27 / Article 21 / Section 58-27-2550
SECTION 58-27-2550. Promulgation of regulations.
Status: in_force

Nothing in the article prohibits the commission from promulgating detailed regulations governing termination of service by an electrical utility so long as the regulations include the termination and third-party notification protections provided by this article.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-37-20 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 37 / Article 1 / Section 58-37-20
SECTION 58-37-20. Public Service Commission; adoption of procedures requiring energy efficiency and conservation.
Status: in_force

(A) The General Assembly declares that expanding utility investment in and customer access to cost-effective demand-side management programs will result in more efficient use of existing resources, promote lower energy costs, mitigate the increasing need for new generation and associated resources, and assist customers in managing their electricity usage to better control their electric bill, and is therefore in the public interest. (B) The commission may approve any program filed by a public utility if the program is found to be cost-effective. Furthermore, the commission may, in its discretion, approve any program filed by a public utility that is not cost-effective, so long as the proposed demand-side management program is targeted to low-income customers, provided that the public utility's portfolio of demand-side management programs is cost-effective as a whole. (C) The South Carolina Public Service Commission must adopt procedures that require electrical utilities and public utilities providing gas services subject to the jurisdiction of the commission to plan for and invest in all reasonable, prudent, and available energy efficiency and demand-side resources that are cost-effective energy efficient technologies and energy conservation programs in an amount to be determined by the commission. If an electrical utility fails to meet the requirements of this section as determined by the commission, the commission is authorized to appoint a third-party administrator to carry out the residential low-income energy efficiency duties pursuant to this section on behalf of the electrical utility if the commission determines that having such a third-party administrator is in the public interest and consistent with law. Upon notice and hearings that the commission may require, the commission may issue rules, regulations, or orders pursuant to this chapter to implement applicable programs and measures under this section. If adopted, these procedures must: provide incentives and cost recovery for energy suppliers and distributors who invest in energy supply and end-use technologies that are cost-effective, environmentally acceptable, and reduce energy consumption or system or local coincident peak demand; allow energy suppliers and distributors to recover costs and obtain a reasonable rate of return on their investment in qualified demand-side management programs sufficient to make these programs at least as financially attractive as construction of new generating facilities; require the Public Service Commission to establish rates and charges that ensure that the net income of an electrical or gas utility regulated by the commission after implementation of specific cost-effective energy conservation measures is at least as high as the net income would have been if the energy conservation measures had not been implemented. (D) Each investor-owned electrical utility must submit an annual report to the commission describing the demand-side management programs implemented by the electrical utility in the previous year, provided the program has been operational for a reasonable period of time, as well as the results of such programs. The commission may require certain information including, but not limited to: (1) achieved savings levels from the utility's portfolio of programs in the prior year, reported as a percentage of the utility's annual sales; (2) program expenditures, including incentive payments; (3) peak demand and energy savings impacts and the techniques used to estimate those impacts; (4) avoided costs and the techniques used to estimate those costs; (5) estimated cost-effectiveness of the demand-side management programs; (6) a description of economic benefits of the demand-side management programs; (7) the number of customers eligible to opt-out of the electrical utility's demand-side management programs, the percentage of those customers that opted-out in the previous year, and the annual sales associated with those opt-out customers; and (8) any other information required by the commission. (E) To ensure prudent investments by an electrical utility in energy efficiency and demand response, as compared to potential investments in generation, transmission, distribution, and other supply related utility equipment and resources, the commission must review each investor-owned electrical utility's portfolio of demand-side management programs on at least a triennial basis to align the review of that utility's integrated resource plan pursuant to Section 58-37-40. The commission is authorized to order modifications to an electrical utility's demand-side management portfolio, including program budgets, if the commission determines that doing so in the public interest. (F) The provisions of subsections (C), (D), and (E) do not apply to an electrical utility that serves less than 100,000 customers in this State. Editor's Note 2025 Act No. 41, SECTION 1, provides as follows: "SECTION 1. This act may be cited as the 'South Carolina Energy Security Act.' " 2025 Act No. 41, SECTION 13.B, provides as follows: "B. All other sections of Chapter 37 may be cited as Article 1, entitled 'Planning for Energy Supply.'" 2025 Act No. 41, SECTION 33, provides as follows: "SECTION 33. (A) To foster economic development and future jobs in this State resulting from the supply chains associated with the same while supporting the significant and growing energy and capacity needs of the State, enhance grid resiliency, and maintain reliability, the General Assembly finds that the State of South Carolina should take steps necessary to encourage the development of a diverse mix of long-lead, clean generation resources that may include nuclear and advanced nuclear, biomass as defined in Section 12-63-20(B)(2) of the S.C. Code, hydrogen-capable resources, fusion energy, and other technologies, and should preserve the option of efficiency development of such long-lead resources with timely actions to establish or maintain eligibility for or capture available tax or other financial incentives or address operational needs. "(B) For an electrical utility to capture available tax or other financial or operational incentives for South Carolina ratepayers in a timely manner, the commission may find that actions by an electrical utility in pursuit of the directives in Section 58-37-35(A) are in the public interest, provided that the commission determines that such proposed actions are in the public interest and reasonably balance economic development and industry retention benefits, capacity expansion benefits, resource adequacy and diversification and potential risks, costs, and benefits to ratepayers and otherwise comply with all other legal requirements applicable to the electrical utility's proposed action. For the South Carolina Public Service Authority, the Office of Regulatory Staff and the Public Service Authority's board of directors shall apply the same principles described in this subsection in evaluating and approving actions proposed by the management of the Public Service Authority to achieve the objectives of this section." 2025 Act No. 41, SECTION 41, provides as follows: "SECTION 41. (A) Five years after the effective date of this act, the Office of the Regulatory Staff shall prepare a report, to be filed with the Public Utilities Review Committee and the General Assembly, to address the implementation of Article 24, Chapter 27, Title 58 as it relates to the following areas: "(1) assessing the functioning of the procedures established by section with recommendation for any changes required to ensure their efficient functioning, to promote regulatory efficiency, and to make further the establishment of just, reasonable, and fair rates; "(2) assessing the effect of rates on ratepayers of all classes; "(3) assessing the reliability of the electric system and whether investments made by electric utilities increased reliability compared to any change in electric utility rates experienced by ratepayers within the same timeframe; and "(4) any other information requested by the General Assembly to be included within the report. "(B) The Office of Regulatory Staff may engage a qualified, independent third party to assist in preparation of the report. "(C) All expenses and charges incurred by the Office of Regulatory Staff in the performance of its duties within this section may be defrayed by assessments made by the Comptroller General against the regulated electrical utilities regulated and based upon twenty-five percent of the gross revenues collected by such electrical utilities from their business done wholly within this State in the manner set out in Section 58-4-60 for other corporations." 2025 Act No. 41, SECTION 42, provides as follows: "SECTION 42. Upon passage of this act, Dominion Energy shall evaluate the process for converting the Wateree Generating Station from coal-fired generation to biomass-fired generation. Biomass-fired generation includes, but is not limited to, generation from the firing of wood pellets and wood chips. Dominion Energy must make a report concerning the conversion process to the Public Service Commission and General Assembly by no later than January 13, 2026." Effect of Amendment 2025 Act No. 41, SECTION 27, rewrote the section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-17-3990 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 17 / Article 33 / Section 58-17-3990
SECTION 58-17-3990. Action under foregoing section shall be subject of equity jurisdiction.
Status: in_force

Any action brought as provided in Section 58-17-3980 to recover any penalty or damages shall be regarded as a subject of equity jurisdiction and discovery and affirmative relief may be sought and obtained therein. In any such action so brought as a case of equitable cognizance, preliminary or final injunction may, without allegation or proof of damage to the complainant, be granted upon proper application, restraining, forbidding and prohibiting the commission or continuance of any act, matter or thing by this chapter prohibited or forbidden.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-23-220 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 23 / Article 3 / Section 58-23-220
SECTION 58-23-220. Class A certificates.
Status: in_force

The Office of Regulatory Staff, upon directive of the commission, may issue a certificate A in the following cases: (1) to an applicant to operate in territory already served by any certificate holder under this chapter or any common carrier when such territory is not already being reasonably served by some other certificate holder or common carrier, provided such applicant proposes to operate on a fixed schedule and to comply with the other provisions contained in Articles 1 to 11 of this chapter and the rules and regulations which may be made by the commission respecting holders of this class of certificates; and (2) to an applicant for a certificate to operate upon a regular schedule in a territory not already served by the holder of a certificate A, when such territory is not being reasonably served by a certificate holder under this chapter or a common carrier; provided, that when a certificate A is issued to an applicant over territory which is being served at the time such certificate is granted by the holder of a certificate B, the right of the applicant to operate under certificate A shall not begin until the expiration of the then license year of the holder of the certificate B and the holder of a certificate B shall be preferred in granting a certificate A over the route unless it would not be in the interest of the public service. In either case the existence of a railroad or other motor vehicle carrier in the territory sought to be served by the applicant shall not be considered by the commission as good cause for refusing the application. Editor's Note 2022 Act No. 214, SECTION 25, provides as follows: "SECTION 25. The Public Service Commission must make information readily available so that the general public can easily access information regarding the requirements in Articles 3 and 9 in Chapter 23, Title 58. This includes, but is not limited to, the commission posting on its website information regarding the following: list of certified companies, maximum rates, insurance, and complaint resolution." Effect of Amendment 2022 Act No. 214, SECTION 7, in the first undesignated paragraph, substituted "directive" for "order"; in (1), substituted "such territory is not" for "the public convenience and necessity in such territory are not" and "proposes" for "propose"; and in (2), substituted "such territory is not" for "public convenience and necessity in such territory are not" and deleted "in the judgment of the commission" following "route unless".
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-9-770 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 9 / Article 7 / Section 58-9-770
SECTION 58-9-770. Suits to discontinue or prevent violation of law or order.
Status: in_force

Whenever it shall appear that any telephone utility is failing or omitting, or about to fail or omit, to do anything required of it by law or by order of the commission or is doing anything, or about to do anything, or permitting anything, or about to permit anything, to be done contrary to or in violation of law or of any order of the commission, an action or proceeding shall be prosecuted by the regulatory staff in any court of competent jurisdiction in the name of the Office of Regulatory Staff or the State for the purpose of having such violation or threatened violation discontinued or prevented, either by mandamus, injunction, or other appropriate relief and in such action or proceeding it shall be permissible to join such other persons or corporations as parties thereto as may be reasonably necessary to make the order of the court in all respects effective.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-11-30 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 11 / Article 1 / Section 58-11-30
SECTION 58-11-30. Filing schedules of rates, rules and regulations.
Status: in_force

Under such rules and regulations as the commission may prescribe, every radio common carrier shall file with the commission and the Office of Regulatory Staff, within such time and in such form as the commission may designate, schedules showing all rates, rules, and regulations established by it and collected or enforced, or to be collected or enforced within the jurisdiction of the commission, and the radio common carrier shall keep copies of such schedules open to public inspection upon request at reasonable intervals during business hours under such rules and regulations as the commission may prescribe.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-9-1820 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 9 / Article 15 / Section 58-9-1820
SECTION 58-9-1820. Liability for messages in cipher.
Status: in_force

In all cases the liability of the companies for messages in cipher, in whole or in part, shall be the same as though they were not in cipher.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-37-135 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 37 / Article 3 / Section 58-37-135
SECTION 58-37-135. Transfer of existing appeals to Supreme Court.
Status: in_force

Any appeal of an order concerning a permit for an energy infrastructure project which appeal is not finally resolved on the effective date of this statute shall be immediately transferred to the South Carolina Supreme Court which shall have the exclusive jurisdiction of all proceedings related to that appeal. Editor's Note 2025 Act No. 41, SECTION 1, provides as follows: "SECTION 1. This act may be cited as the 'South Carolina Energy Security Act.' " 2025 Act No. 41, SECTION 33, provides as follows: "SECTION 33. (A) To foster economic development and future jobs in this State resulting from the supply chains associated with the same while supporting the significant and growing energy and capacity needs of the State, enhance grid resiliency, and maintain reliability, the General Assembly finds that the State of South Carolina should take steps necessary to encourage the development of a diverse mix of long-lead, clean generation resources that may include nuclear and advanced nuclear, biomass as defined in Section 12-63-20(B)(2) of the S.C. Code, hydrogen-capable resources, fusion energy, and other technologies, and should preserve the option of efficiency development of such long-lead resources with timely actions to establish or maintain eligibility for or capture available tax or other financial incentives or address operational needs. "(B) For an electrical utility to capture available tax or other financial or operational incentives for South Carolina ratepayers in a timely manner, the commission may find that actions by an electrical utility in pursuit of the directives in Section 58-37-35(A) are in the public interest, provided that the commission determines that such proposed actions are in the public interest and reasonably balance economic development and industry retention benefits, capacity expansion benefits, resource adequacy and diversification and potential risks, costs, and benefits to ratepayers and otherwise comply with all other legal requirements applicable to the electrical utility's proposed action. For the South Carolina Public Service Authority, the Office of Regulatory Staff and the Public Service Authority's board of directors shall apply the same principles described in this subsection in evaluating and approving actions proposed by the management of the Public Service Authority to achieve the objectives of this section." 2025 Act No. 41, SECTION 41, provides as follows: "SECTION 41. (A) Five years after the effective date of this act, the Office of the Regulatory Staff shall prepare a report, to be filed with the Public Utilities Review Committee and the General Assembly, to address the implementation of Article 24, Chapter 27, Title 58 as it relates to the following areas: "(1) assessing the functioning of the procedures established by section with recommendation for any changes required to ensure their efficient functioning, to promote regulatory efficiency, and to make further the establishment of just, reasonable, and fair rates; "(2) assessing the effect of rates on ratepayers of all classes; "(3) assessing the reliability of the electric system and whether investments made by electric utilities increased reliability compared to any change in electric utility rates experienced by ratepayers within the same timeframe; and "(4) any other information requested by the General Assembly to be included within the report. "(B) The Office of Regulatory Staff may engage a qualified, independent third party to assist in preparation of the report. "(C) All expenses and charges incurred by the Office of Regulatory Staff in the performance of its duties within this section may be defrayed by assessments made by the Comptroller General against the regulated electrical utilities regulated and based upon twenty-five percent of the gross revenues collected by such electrical utilities from their business done wholly within this State in the manner set out in Section 58-4-60 for other corporations." 2025 Act No. 41, SECTION 42, provides as follows: "SECTION 42. Upon passage of this act, Dominion Energy shall evaluate the process for converting the Wateree Generating Station from coal-fired generation to biomass-fired generation. Biomass-fired generation includes, but is not limited to, generation from the firing of wood pellets and wood chips. Dominion Energy must make a report concerning the conversion process to the Public Service Commission and General Assembly by no later than January 13, 2026."
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-17-3010 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 17 / Article 25 / Section 58-17-3010
SECTION 58-17-3010. Passenger trains shall stop at stations advertised as stops.
Status: in_force

Every railroad company in this State shall cause all its trains of cars for passengers to stop entirely upon each arrival at a station advertised by such company as a station for receiving passengers upon such trains for a time sufficient to receive and let off passengers.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-27-2660 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 27 / Article 23 / Section 58-27-2660
SECTION 58-27-2660. Development of consumer protection regulations.
Status: in_force

(A)(1) The Office of Regulatory Staff and the Department of Consumer Affairs are directed to develop consumer protection regulations regarding the sale or lease of renewable energy generation facilities pursuant to the distributed energy resource program in Chapter 40 of this title. These regulations shall provide for the appropriate disclosure provided by sellers and lessors. Sellers must comply with Title 37. Nothing herein alters existing protections afforded by Title 37. (2) To fulfill the duties and responsibilities provided for in this section, the Office of Regulatory Staff shall develop a formal complaint process as part of the consumer protection regulations. (B) The Office of Regulatory Staff is authorized to enforce any applicable consumer protection provision set forth in this title by: (1) conducting an investigation into an alleged violation; (2) issuing a cease and desist order against a further violation; (3) imposing an administrative fine not to exceed two thousand five hundred dollars per violation on a solar company that materially fails to comply with the consumer protection requirements; and (4) voiding the agreement if necessary to remedy the violation or violations.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-15-875 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 15 / Article 9 / Section 58-15-875
SECTION 58-15-875. Unlawful to purchase, sell, or transport railroad track materials for recycling; method of payment; penalties.
Status: in_force

(A) It is unlawful to purchase, sell, or transport railroad track materials for the purpose of recycling. (B) This section does not apply to: (1) a railroad company or a railroad company's authorized agent; (2) a business that owns a railroad spur; (3) an independent railroad contractor; or (4) a person or business with a letter of authorization from a special agent of a railroad company class 1 or shortline. An entity removing or authorizing the removal of railroad track materials from private property must obtain a letter of authorization from the railroad company servicing the property. (C) Payment for railroad track materials only must be made to the railroad company or the company's principals, the business that owns the railroad spur or the businesses' principals, the independent railroad contractor or the contractor's principals, or the person or business authorized by the railroad company or the businesses' principals. (D) A person who violates this section: (1) for a first offense, is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than two hundred and fifty dollars, or imprisoned not more than one year, or both; (2) for a second offense, is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than five hundred dollars, or imprisoned not more than three years, or both; and (3) for a third or subsequent offense, is guilty of a felony, and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than one thousand dollars, or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-23-570 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 23 / Article 5 / Section 58-23-570
SECTION 58-23-570. Information which shall be furnished in application for class D certificate.
Status: in_force

In an application for a certificate D the applicant shall state, besides the other matters by law provided: (1) The carrying capacity as given by the manufacturer of the motor vehicle; (2) The route on which the motor vehicle is to be used; (3) Whether reserve or substitute cars are maintained by the applicant to be used only in emergencies and, if so, the number of such reserve and substitute cars and a complete description of each; (4) The length of the route in miles on improved public highways in this State; (5) The weight of the vehicle when empty; and (6) The schedule under which the vehicle shall operate during the ensuing year.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-4-130 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 4 / Section 58-4-130
SECTION 58-4-130. Restriction on outside employment of executive director.
Status: in_force

The executive director must not interview or seek employment with a public utility while serving as executive director. The executive director may not represent or appear on behalf of a public utility in any proceeding before the commission in any matter within the commission's jurisdiction for one year after serving as executive director. A person who violates this provision is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five thousand dollars or be imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-12-320 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 12 / Article 3 / Section 58-12-320
SECTION 58-12-320. Predecessor and successor entities.
Status: in_force

(A) For purposes of this article, a cable service provider is deemed to have or have had a franchise to provide cable service in a specific municipality or unincorporated areas of a county if any predecessor entity of the cable service provider has or, after July 1, 2005, had a cable franchise agreement granted by that specific municipality or county. (B) The terms "predecessor" or "successor entity" in this section shall include, but not be limited to, an entity receiving, obtaining, or operating under a municipal or county cable franchise through merger, sale, assignment, restructuring, or any other type of transaction.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-17-2800 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 17 / Article 23 / Section 58-17-2800
SECTION 58-17-2800. "Railroad company chartered by this State" defined.
Status: in_force

In the construction of Sections 58-17-2770 to 58-17-2790 the term "railroad company chartered by this State" shall be held to mean each railroad company holding its franchise under a separate charter granted by this State.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-17-1890 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 17 / Article 15 / Section 58-17-1890
SECTION 58-17-1890. Printed schedules shall be prima facie evidence.
Status: in_force

Any such schedule purporting to have been printed and published as aforesaid shall be received and held in any such suit as is referred to in Section 58-17-1850 as prima facie the schedule of the Commission without further proof than the production of the schedule desired to be used as evidence, with a certificate of the Commission that it is a true copy of the schedule prepared by it for the railroad company therein named and that it has been duly published as required by law.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-43-20 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 43 / Section 58-43-20
SECTION 58-43-20. Reasonable rates.
Status: in_force

(A) When considering whether the rates, terms, and conditions negotiated with economic development prospects are just and reasonable, the commission shall give full weight and consideration to the economic development benefits to the electrical utility's customers that result from prospective commercial or industrial entities locating or expanding their activities in South Carolina. (B) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an electrical utility may provide the South Carolina Department of Commerce or a prospective qualifying customer or transformational customer with a rate proposal containing terms and conditions to incentivize the prospective customer to make capital investments and employ additional workforce in the electrical utility's service territory. The rate proposal initially provided by an electrical utility may differ from the final contract, rate, terms, and conditions with the qualifying customer or transformational customer. (C) An electrical utility may offer special rates, terms, and conditions to a qualifying customer or transformational customer, including rates that are lower than the rates the customer otherwise would be charged. The agreement with the customer must be for a term not exceeding ten years and the electrical utility may offer the customer interruptible and real-time pricing options and riders for other clean energy attributes which may support the qualifying customer's or transformational customer's needs. However, rates for qualifying customers may not be lower than the electrical utility's marginal cost of providing service to the customer and rates for transformational customers may not be lower than twenty-five percent less than the electrical utility's marginal cost of providing service to the customer. (D) Rates, terms, and conditions negotiated with qualifying and transformational customers shall be deemed just and reasonable if: (1) for qualifying customers, the terms of this section are met; (2) for transformational customers, the commission determines that: (a) the economic development rate offered significantly impacts the customer's decision to locate or expand in South Carolina; (b) the financial value realized by the electrical utility's system from the transformational customer being on the electrical utility's system for ten years is greater than or equal to the financial value of the rate incentive given to the transformational customer; (c) measures have been taken to avoid or reduce cross-customer class-subsidization; and (d) the consequences of offering the economic development rate are beneficial to the system as a whole considering all customer classes. The commission must either approve or deny an application pursuant to this section within sixty days. (E) Nothing in this chapter shall otherwise restrict the commission's authority to regulate rates and charges or review contracts entered into pursuant to this section or to otherwise supervise the operations of electrical utilities. (F) The construction of a proposed renewable energy facility by or on behalf of a qualifying customer to support electric power generation at its location must comply with federal, state, and local laws and ordinances. (G) Consistent with federal, state, and local laws and ordinances, the electrical utility may expedite interconnection of a proposed renewable energy facility to be constructed by a qualifying or transformational customer to support electrical power generation at its location where high-quality and reliable electric service are not adversely impacted. (H) In the event a qualifying customer or transformational customer leaves this State or terminates its operations in this State during the ten-year contract period, such customer must reimburse the electrical utility and its customers the difference between standard rates and the rates paid during the term of the agreement between the electrical utility and its customers. (I) An electrical utility shall not be required to adjust its cost of service in a rate proceeding as a result of a rate, agreement, or infrastructure provided pursuant to this section in any matter that would impute revenue at a level higher than received by the electrical utility from a qualifying customer or transformational customer or would otherwise reduce the electrical utility's revenue as a result of entering into contracts with qualifying customers or transformational customers pursuant to this section. (J) If an electrical utility offers special rates, terms, and conditions to a qualifying customer or a transformational customer, any electrical utility in South Carolina may also offer all directly competing existing customers in its service territory in this State with similar special rates, terms, and conditions at the time the agreement is entered into with the qualifying customer or transformational customer to the extent the directly competing existing customer is able to substantiate its status as a directly competing existing customer. For purposes of this section, customers are "directly competing" if they make the same end-product, or offer the same service, for the same general group of customers. Customers that only produce component parts of the same end-product are not directly competing customers. Editor's Note 2025 Act No. 41, SECTION 1, provides as follows: "SECTION 1. This act may be cited as the 'South Carolina Energy Security Act.' " 2025 Act No. 41, SECTION 33, provides as follows: "SECTION 33. (A) To foster economic development and future jobs in this State resulting from the supply chains associated with the same while supporting the significant and growing energy and capacity needs of the State, enhance grid resiliency, and maintain reliability, the General Assembly finds that the State of South Carolina should take steps necessary to encourage the development of a diverse mix of long-lead, clean generation resources that may include nuclear and advanced nuclear, biomass as defined in Section 12-63-20(B)(2) of the S.C. Code, hydrogen-capable resources, fusion energy, and other technologies, and should preserve the option of efficiency development of such long-lead resources with timely actions to establish or maintain eligibility for or capture available tax or other financial incentives or address operational needs. "(B) For an electrical utility to capture available tax or other financial or operational incentives for South Carolina ratepayers in a timely manner, the commission may find that actions by an electrical utility in pursuit of the directives in Section 58-37-35(A) are in the public interest, provided that the commission determines that such proposed actions are in the public interest and reasonably balance economic development and industry retention benefits, capacity expansion benefits, resource adequacy and diversification and potential risks, costs, and benefits to ratepayers and otherwise comply with all other legal requirements applicable to the electrical utility's proposed action. For the South Carolina Public Service Authority, the Office of Regulatory Staff and the Public Service Authority's board of directors shall apply the same principles described in this subsection in evaluating and approving actions proposed by the management of the Public Service Authority to achieve the objectives of this section." 2025 Act No. 41, SECTION 36.A, provides as follows: "SECTION 36.A. The General Assembly hereby finds and declares that: "(1) the economic and financial well-being of South Carolina and its citizens depends upon continued economic development and industry retention and opportunities for job attraction and retention; and "(2) the cost of electricity and the availability of clean energy sources for electricity are important factors in the decision for a commercial and industrial entity to locate, expand, or maintain their existing establishments in South Carolina; and "(3) competitive electric rates, terms, and conditions and the ability to utilize clean energy sources for electric power generation are necessary to attract prospective commercial or industrial entities to invest in South Carolina and to encourage and incent robust economic development growth and industry retention in this State; and "(4) electrical utilities are critical economic development and industry retention partners for South Carolina by offering affordable power that has helped to attract jobs and associated development." 2025 Act No. 41, SECTION 41, provides as follows: "SECTION 41. (A) Five years after the effective date of this act, the Office of the Regulatory Staff shall prepare a report, to be filed with the Public Utilities Review Committee and the General Assembly, to address the implementation of Article 24, Chapter 27, Title 58 as it relates to the following areas: "(1) assessing the functioning of the procedures established by section with recommendation for any changes required to ensure their efficient functioning, to promote regulatory efficiency, and to make further the establishment of just, reasonable, and fair rates; "(2) assessing the effect of rates on ratepayers of all classes; "(3) assessing the reliability of the electric system and whether investments made by electric utilities increased reliability compared to any change in electric utility rates experienced by ratepayers within the same timeframe; and "(4) any other information requested by the General Assembly to be included within the report. "(B) The Office of Regulatory Staff may engage a qualified, independent third party to assist in preparation of the report. "(C) All expenses and charges incurred by the Office of Regulatory Staff in the performance of its duties within this section may be defrayed by assessments made by the Comptroller General against the regulated electrical utilities regulated and based upon twenty-five percent of the gross revenues collected by such electrical utilities from their business done wholly within this State in the manner set out in Section 58-4-60 for other corporations." 2025 Act No. 41, SECTION 42, provides as follows: "SECTION 42. Upon passage of this act, Dominion Energy shall evaluate the process for converting the Wateree Generating Station from coal-fired generation to biomass-fired generation. Biomass-fired generation includes, but is not limited to, generation from the firing of wood pellets and wood chips. Dominion Energy must make a report concerning the conversion process to the Public Service Commission and General Assembly by no later than January 13, 2026."
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-36-40 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 36 / Section 58-36-40
SECTION 58-36-40. Costs or expenses of compliance; liability for damage or injury.
Status: in_force

Section effective until May 22, 2026. See, also, section 58-36-40 effective May 22, 2026. (A) Any costs or expenses associated with compliance by an excavator with the requirements in this chapter applicable to excavators shall not be charged to any operator. Any costs or expenses associated with compliance by an operator with the requirements in this chapter applicable to operators shall not be charged to any excavator. Neither the association nor the notification center may impose any charge on any person giving notice to the notification center. (B) This section shall not excuse an operator or excavator from liability for any damage or injury for which it would be responsible under applicable law.Section effective May 22, 2026. See, also, section 58-36-40 effective until May 22, 2026. (A) Any costs or expenses associated with compliance by an excavator with the requirements in this chapter applicable to excavators shall not be charged to any operator. Any costs or expenses associated with compliance by an operator with the requirements in this chapter applicable to operators shall not be charged to any excavator. Neither the association nor the notification center may impose any charge on any person giving notice to the notification center. (B) This section shall not excuse an operator or excavator from liability for any damage or injury for which it would be responsible under applicable law. Effect of Amendment 2025 Act No. 65, SECTION 1, reenacted the section with no apparent change.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-15-180 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 15 / Article 1 / Section 58-15-180
SECTION 58-15-180. Stockholders' preemptive right.
Status: in_force

When any corporation organized under the provisions of this chapter or any corporation whose charter may be amended hereunder shall increase its capital stock its stockholders shall be given the preference of taking the increase in proportion to the amount of stock they may individually own.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-17-4080 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 17 / Article 33 / Section 58-17-4080
SECTION 58-17-4080. Penalty and damages for obstruction of highway by railroad car, locomotive or other object.
Status: in_force

If any person, including any conductor of any train of railroad cars or any other agent or servant of any railroad company, shall obstruct unnecessarily any public road or highway by permitting any railroad car or locomotive to be or remain upon or across any street, public road or highway for a longer period than five minutes, after notice to remove such cars has been given to the conductor, engineer, agent or other such person in charge of such train or shall permit any timber, wood or other obstruction to remain upon or across any such street, road or highway to the hindrance or inconvenience of travelers or any person passing along or upon such street, road or highway, every such person so offending shall forfeit and pay for every such offense any sum not exceeding twenty nor less than five dollars and shall be liable for all damages arising to any highway, to be recovered by an action at the suit of the governing body of the county in which such offense shall have been committed or any person suing therefor, before any magistrate within the county in which such offense shall have been committed or by indictment in the court of general sessions or suit in the court of common pleas. All fines so accruing under the provisions of this section, when collected, shall be paid over by the magistrate to the county treasurer for the district in which such offense was committed. Every twenty-four hours such person, after being notified, shall suffer such obstructions to the hindrance or inconvenience of travelers or any person going along or upon such road or highway to continue shall be deemed an additional offense against the provisions of this section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-27-1940 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 27 / Article 15 / Section 58-27-1940
SECTION 58-27-1940. Petition alleging improper act by electrical utility.
Status: in_force

Any person, corporation, or municipality having an interest in the subject matter, including any electrical utility concerned, may petition in writing setting forth any act or thing done or omitted to be done by any electrical utility in violation, or claimed violation, of any law which the commission has jurisdiction to administer or of any order or rule of the commission.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-15-1650 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 15 / Article 17 / Section 58-15-1650
SECTION 58-15-1650. Railroad company may select materials; minimum standards.
Status: in_force

The railroad company involved may select the material to be used in the construction of the grade separation structure, provided such material shall not be less durable than creosoted timber of a quality at least equal to that required by the standard specifications of the Department of Transportation for its own bridge work.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-23-250 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 23 / Article 3 / Section 58-23-250
SECTION 58-23-250. Class D certificates.
Status: in_force

The Office of Regulatory Staff, upon directive of the commission, may issue a certificate D for property-carrying vehicles which will operate upon regular routes and schedules over such highways. Editor's Note 2022 Act No. 214, SECTION 25, provides as follows: "SECTION 25. The Public Service Commission must make information readily available so that the general public can easily access information regarding the requirements in Articles 3 and 9 in Chapter 23, Title 58. This includes, but is not limited to, the commission posting on its website information regarding the following: list of certified companies, maximum rates, insurance, and complaint resolution." Effect of Amendment 2022 Act No. 214, SECTION 10, substituted "directive" for "order".
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-23-1830 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 23 / Article 17 / Section 58-23-1830
SECTION 58-23-1830. General prohibitions; persons who may be refused transportation; violations and penalties.
Status: in_force

(a) It is unlawful for any passenger to commit any of the following acts in a bus or any other public transportation vehicle: (1) discard litter, except into receptacles designated for that purpose; (2) play any radio, cassette, cartridge, tape player, or similar device unless controlled by the operator, unless the device is connected to an earphone that limits the sound to the hearing of the individual user; (3) carry or possess any weapon, explosives, acids, other dangerous articles, or live animals, except for a seeing eye dog or a hearing ear dog properly harnessed and accompanied by its owner, small animals properly packaged, or weapons carried by or animals used by a law enforcement official; (4) obstruct, hinder, interfere with, or otherwise disrupt or disturb the operation or operator of a public transportation vehicle; (5) board a public transportation bus through the rear exit door, unless so directed by an employee or agent of the carrier; (6) use profane, indecent, or obscene language or actions on a public transportation vehicle, or conduct himself in a boisterous fashion while on a public transportation vehicle. (b) Intoxicated persons may be excluded from riding in any public transportation vehicle by the vehicle's driver or operator. (c) The driver of any public transportation vehicle may refuse to transport any person who insists on boarding the vehicle in a manner that will obviously violate any of the above provisions. (d) Any person violating the provisions of subsection (a) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction for a first offense must be imprisoned for not more than thirty days or fined not more than two hundred dollars, for a second offense, imprisoned for not more than sixty days or fined not more than five hundred dollars, or both, and for a third or subsequent offense, imprisoned for not more than ninety days or fined not more than one thousand dollars, or both.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-27-2810 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 27 / Article 24 / Section 58-27-2810
SECTION 58-27-2810. Office of Regulatory Staff; additional positions.
Status: in_force

(A) The Office of Regulatory Staff is authorized to create additional positions as the General Assembly may provide in the annual general appropriations act for the purpose of performing its duties under this article; however, no more than two positions for each electric utility regulated pursuant to this article may be authorized. All salaries, benefits, expenses, and charges incurred by the Office of Regulatory Staff for these positions must be borne by the electric utilities regulated pursuant to this article. (B) On or before the first day of July in each year, the Department of Revenue must assess each electric utility regulated pursuant to this article an equal portion of these salaries, benefits, expenses, and charges on June 30 preceding that on which the assessment is made which is due and payable on or before July 15. The assessments must be charged against the electric utilities by the Department of Revenue and collected by the department in the manner provided by law for the collection of taxes from the electric utilities, including the enforcement and collection provisions of Article 1, Chapter 54 of Title 12 and paid, less the Department of Revenue actual incremental increase in the cost of administration into the state treasury as other taxes collected by the Department of Revenue for the State. These assessments are in addition to any amounts assessed pursuant to Section 58-4-60. These assessments must be deposited in a special fund with the State Treasurer's Office from which the salaries, benefits, expenses, and charges shall be paid. (C) The Office of Regulatory Staff must annually certify to the Department of Revenue on or before May 1 the amounts to be assessed. Editor's Note 2025 Act No. 41, SECTION 1, provides as follows: "SECTION 1. This act may be cited as the 'South Carolina Energy Security Act.' " 2025 Act No. 41, SECTION 33, provides as follows: "SECTION 33. (A) To foster economic development and future jobs in this State resulting from the supply chains associated with the same while supporting the significant and growing energy and capacity needs of the State, enhance grid resiliency, and maintain reliability, the General Assembly finds that the State of South Carolina should take steps necessary to encourage the development of a diverse mix of long-lead, clean generation resources that may include nuclear and advanced nuclear, biomass as defined in Section 12-63-20(B)(2) of the S.C. Code, hydrogen-capable resources, fusion energy, and other technologies, and should preserve the option of efficiency development of such long-lead resources with timely actions to establish or maintain eligibility for or capture available tax or other financial incentives or address operational needs. "(B) For an electrical utility to capture available tax or other financial or operational incentives for South Carolina ratepayers in a timely manner, the commission may find that actions by an electrical utility in pursuit of the directives in Section 58-37-35(A) are in the public interest, provided that the commission determines that such proposed actions are in the public interest and reasonably balance economic development and industry retention benefits, capacity expansion benefits, resource adequacy and diversification and potential risks, costs, and benefits to ratepayers and otherwise comply with all other legal requirements applicable to the electrical utility's proposed action. For the South Carolina Public Service Authority, the Office of Regulatory Staff and the Public Service Authority's board of directors shall apply the same principles described in this subsection in evaluating and approving actions proposed by the management of the Public Service Authority to achieve the objectives of this section." 2025 Act No. 41, SECTION 41, provides as follows: "SECTION 41. (A) Five years after the effective date of this act, the Office of the Regulatory Staff shall prepare a report, to be filed with the Public Utilities Review Committee and the General Assembly, to address the implementation of Article 24, Chapter 27, Title 58 as it relates to the following areas: "(1) assessing the functioning of the procedures established by section with recommendation for any changes required to ensure their efficient functioning, to promote regulatory efficiency, and to make further the establishment of just, reasonable, and fair rates; "(2) assessing the effect of rates on ratepayers of all classes; "(3) assessing the reliability of the electric system and whether investments made by electric utilities increased reliability compared to any change in electric utility rates experienced by ratepayers within the same timeframe; and "(4) any other information requested by the General Assembly to be included within the report. "(B) The Office of Regulatory Staff may engage a qualified, independent third party to assist in preparation of the report. "(C) All expenses and charges incurred by the Office of Regulatory Staff in the performance of its duties within this section may be defrayed by assessments made by the Comptroller General against the regulated electrical utilities regulated and based upon twenty-five percent of the gross revenues collected by such electrical utilities from their business done wholly within this State in the manner set out in Section 58-4-60 for other corporations." 2025 Act No. 41, SECTION 42, provides as follows: "SECTION 42. Upon passage of this act, Dominion Energy shall evaluate the process for converting the Wateree Generating Station from coal-fired generation to biomass-fired generation. Biomass-fired generation includes, but is not limited to, generation from the firing of wood pellets and wood chips. Dominion Energy must make a report concerning the conversion process to the Public Service Commission and General Assembly by no later than January 13, 2026."
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-9-1210 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 9 / Article 9 / Section 58-9-1210
SECTION 58-9-1210. Contempt of Commission.
Status: in_force

In case of failure on the part of any person to comply with any lawful order of the Commission or of any commissioner or with any subpoena or subpoenas duces tecum or in case of the refusal of any witness to testify concerning any matter on which he may be interrogated lawfully, any court of record of general jurisdiction, or a judge thereof, may on application of the Commission or of a commissioner compel obedience by proceedings for contempt as in the case of disobedience of the requirements of a subpoena issued from such court or a refusal to testify therein.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-23-1710 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 23 / Article 16 / Section 58-23-1710
SECTION 58-23-1710. Law governing TNC's and TNC drivers.
Status: in_force

(A) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, TNC's and TNC drivers are governed exclusively by this article and by any regulations promulgated by the Office of Regulatory Staff consistent with this article. TNC drivers remain subject to all local ordinances outside the scope of this article, whether directly or indirectly impacting the delivery of TNC driver services including, but not limited to, parking and traffic regulations that are not inconsistent with the provisions of this article. (B) Political subdivisions are prohibited from imposing a tax on a TNC, a TNC driver, or a vehicle used by a TNC driver, including a business license tax, where the tax is assessed in connection with prearranged rides in the State. Nothing in this article may be construed to restrict a municipality from collecting a business license tax from a TNC located within its boundaries if the tax is limited to receipts or revenue that is not subject to a local assessment fee pursuant to Section 58-23-1700 or a business license tax. (C) In order for a TNC and a TNC driver to provide prearranged rides on airport property, the TNC must comply with Federal Aviation Administration regulations and airport regulations relating to: (1) payment of reasonable fees to operate at the airport, agreed to by the TNC and each individual airport, not based on a per-passenger, per-driver, or per-vehicle basis; and (2) designating locations for staging, pick-ups, drop-offs, and other similar locations.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-15-70 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 15 / Article 1 / Section 58-15-70
SECTION 58-15-70. Filing and contents of incorporators' return.
Status: in_force

Upon the completion of the organization of any such corporation, the incorporators shall immediately file in the office of the Secretary of State a return, under their hands and seals, duly attested, sworn to or acknowledged before some officer qualified to administer an oath, that the requirements of Sections 58-15-10 to 58-15-60 have been complied with, that at least fifty per cent of the capital stock has been subscribed, that at least twenty per cent of the amount subscribed has been paid in or secured and, in the case of a railroad company, that at least five hundred dollars per mile has been subscribed and at least twenty per cent of the amount subscribed has been paid or secured. In the event that a survey of the proposed route of a railroad company shall have been made a copy of the profile map of such route shall be filed with such return and in case no survey shall have been made the return shall aver an intention to file such map within one year from the date of such return. Such return shall further show the names and residences of the subscribers, the amount subscribed by each and the names and residences of the members of the board of directors, the president and the secretary of the company.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-37-30 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 37 / Article 1 / Section 58-37-30
SECTION 58-37-30. Reports on demand-side activities of gas and electric utilities; forms.
Status: in_force

(A) The South Carolina Public Service Commission must report annually to the General Assembly on available data regarding the past, on-going, and projected status of demand-side management programs and purchase of power from qualifying facilities, as defined in the Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, by electrical utilities and public utilities providing gas services subject to the jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission. (B) Electric cooperatives providing resale or retail services, municipally-owned electric utilities, and the South Carolina Public Service Authority shall report annually to the State Energy Office on available data regarding the past, on-going, and projected status of demand-side management programs and purchase of power from qualifying facilities. For electric cooperatives, submission to the State Energy Office of a report on demand-side management programs in a format complying with then current Rural Utilities Service regulations constitutes compliance with this subsection. An electric cooperative providing resale services may submit a report in conjunction with and on behalf of any electric cooperative which purchases electric power and energy from it. The State Energy Office must compile and submit this information annually to the General Assembly. (C) The State Energy Office may provide forms for the reports required by this section to the Public Service Commission and to electric cooperatives, municipally-owned electric utilities, and the South Carolina Public Service Authority. The office shall strive to minimize differing formats for reports, taking into account the reporting requirements of other state and federal agencies. For electrical utilities and public utilities providing gas services subject to the jurisdiction of the commission, the reporting form must be in a format acceptable to the commission. Editor's Note 2025 Act No. 41, SECTION 1, provides as follows: "SECTION 1. This act may be cited as the 'South Carolina Energy Security Act.' " 2025 Act No. 41, SECTION 13.B, provides as follows: "B. All other sections of Chapter 37 may be cited as Article 1, entitled 'Planning for Energy Supply.'" 2025 Act No. 41, SECTION 33, provides as follows: "SECTION 33. (A) To foster economic development and future jobs in this State resulting from the supply chains associated with the same while supporting the significant and growing energy and capacity needs of the State, enhance grid resiliency, and maintain reliability, the General Assembly finds that the State of South Carolina should take steps necessary to encourage the development of a diverse mix of long-lead, clean generation resources that may include nuclear and advanced nuclear, biomass as defined in Section 12-63-20(B)(2) of the S.C. Code, hydrogen-capable resources, fusion energy, and other technologies, and should preserve the option of efficiency development of such long-lead resources with timely actions to establish or maintain eligibility for or capture available tax or other financial incentives or address operational needs. "(B) For an electrical utility to capture available tax or other financial or operational incentives for South Carolina ratepayers in a timely manner, the commission may find that actions by an electrical utility in pursuit of the directives in Section 58-37-35(A) are in the public interest, provided that the commission determines that such proposed actions are in the public interest and reasonably balance economic development and industry retention benefits, capacity expansion benefits, resource adequacy and diversification and potential risks, costs, and benefits to ratepayers and otherwise comply with all other legal requirements applicable to the electrical utility's proposed action. For the South Carolina Public Service Authority, the Office of Regulatory Staff and the Public Service Authority's board of directors shall apply the same principles described in this subsection in evaluating and approving actions proposed by the management of the Public Service Authority to achieve the objectives of this section." 2025 Act No. 41, SECTION 41, provides as follows: "SECTION 41. (A) Five years after the effective date of this act, the Office of the Regulatory Staff shall prepare a report, to be filed with the Public Utilities Review Committee and the General Assembly, to address the implementation of Article 24, Chapter 27, Title 58 as it relates to the following areas: "(1) assessing the functioning of the procedures established by section with recommendation for any changes required to ensure their efficient functioning, to promote regulatory efficiency, and to make further the establishment of just, reasonable, and fair rates; "(2) assessing the effect of rates on ratepayers of all classes; "(3) assessing the reliability of the electric system and whether investments made by electric utilities increased reliability compared to any change in electric utility rates experienced by ratepayers within the same timeframe; and "(4) any other information requested by the General Assembly to be included within the report. "(B) The Office of Regulatory Staff may engage a qualified, independent third party to assist in preparation of the report. "(C) All expenses and charges incurred by the Office of Regulatory Staff in the performance of its duties within this section may be defrayed by assessments made by the Comptroller General against the regulated electrical utilities regulated and based upon twenty-five percent of the gross revenues collected by such electrical utilities from their business done wholly within this State in the manner set out in Section 58-4-60 for other corporations." 2025 Act No. 41, SECTION 42, provides as follows: "SECTION 42. Upon passage of this act, Dominion Energy shall evaluate the process for converting the Wateree Generating Station from coal-fired generation to biomass-fired generation. Biomass-fired generation includes, but is not limited to, generation from the firing of wood pellets and wood chips. Dominion Energy must make a report concerning the conversion process to the Public Service Commission and General Assembly by no later than January 13, 2026." Effect of Amendment 2025 Act No. 41, SECTION 28, twice substituted "demand-side management programs" for "demand-side activities" throughout the section; and in (B), substituted "Rural Utilities Service" for "Rural Electrification Administration".
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-1-40 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 1 / Section 58-1-40
SECTION 58-1-40. Reports of certain carriers and public utilities to Department of Revenue.
Status: in_force

All railroad companies, express companies, street railway companies, navigation companies, waterworks companies, power companies, light companies, telephone companies, telegraph companies and parlor, dining and sleeping car companies exercising the right and privilege of doing business or operating under the authority of any grant of authority or permission of this State, whether by direct enactment of the General Assembly or otherwise, and also foreign nonresident corporations engaged in like business and exercising similar rights and privileges, shall, in addition to the information required by Section 12-19-20, also state in such report to the Department of Revenue: (1) The nature of the company or corporation and under the laws of what state it was organized; (2) In the case of express companies, the entire receipts, including all sums earned or charged, whether actually received or not, for business done in the State by each agent of such company doing business in this State, giving the name of the office for the fiscal year then next preceding for and on account of such company, including its proportion of gross receipts for business done by such company within the State in connection with other companies and also the total amount of such receipts for business done within the State; (3) In case of telegraph and telephone companies, the entire gross receipts including all sums earned or charged, whether actually received or not, for the fiscal year next preceding, from whatever source derived, whether messages, telephone tolls, rentals or otherwise, for business done within this State at each office within this State, giving the name of the office and the total receipts of the company for such period in this State from business done within this State; (4) In the case of each railroad or street railway situated wholly within the State, the gross earnings from its operation, and in case of each railroad or street railway located partly within and partly without the State, the gross earnings from the operation of the entire line for the fiscal year next preceding, with the number of miles of line within the State and the miles of line without the State; or (5) In the case of navigation companies, waterworks companies, power companies, light companies, the entire gross receipts of the company, including all sums earned or charged, whether actually received or not, for business done within this State for the fiscal year then next preceding, including the company's portion of gross receipts for business done by it within this State in connection with other companies.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-33-287 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 33 / Article 4 / Section 58-33-287
SECTION 58-33-287. Review proceedings; consideration of settlement; discovery; contents and time for issuance of final order.
Status: in_force

(A) The commission shall issue its order ruling upon a petition for review of a revised rates order within six months. If the petition for review has been resolved among the parties by settlement agreement, the commission shall consider and accept or reject any settlement agreement entered into by the parties within forty-five days. If a settlement agreement is reached between some but not all parties, then the settlement agreement, if approved by the commission, must be deemed to dispose of any issues resolved in it that have not been raised by other parties to the proceeding pursuant to Section 58-33-285(C). (B) Proceedings pursuant to Section 58-33-285 are limited to issues related to whether the revised rates filed by the utility comply with the terms of the commission order issued pursuant to Section 58-33-270 and with the specific requirements of Section 58-33-280. Matters determined in orders issued pursuant to the Utility Facility Siting and Environmental Protection Act, Section 58-27-810, and other applicable provisions or Section 58-33-270 are not subject to review in proceedings under this section. (C) In proceedings pursuant to Section 58-33-285, the commission shall allow limited discovery, and restrict the issues for discovery and hearing to whether the revised rates comply with the terms of the commission order issued pursuant to Section 58-33-270 and compliance with the specific requirements of Section 58-33-280. (D) The commission shall issue such motions to strike, protective orders, motions to quash, motions for costs and sanctions, and other rulings as are necessary to enforce the terms of this limitation. (E) The commission shall dismiss as a party any intervenor who, after notice, fails to abide by the limitations contained in this section. (F) The failure of the commission to enforce the terms of this section may be remedied by petition for writ of mandamus or supersedeas in the circuit court, which petition the court shall advance over all other matters on its docket and hear on an emergency basis, without the requirement of a formal answer or other return, such hearing to be held as soon as practicable upon twenty-four hours notice to the party against whom relief is sought. Proceedings related to the petitions may not serve to stay or delay proceedings before the commission. (G) The commission shall issue a final order that: (1) sets forth any changes that are required to the rates approved in the revised rates order; (2) determines the amount of any overcollection or undercollection of the revenues by the utility that resulted from application of the rates authorized in the revised rates order as compared to the rates authorized in the final order issued under this section; and (3) establishes a credit to refund the amount of an overcollection or a surcharge to collect the amount of an undercollection of revenues that arose during the time that the rates approved in the revised rates order, or imposed due to a failure of the commission to issue a revised rates order, were applicable and requires the utility to apply the credit or surcharge until such time as the overcollection or undercollection is exhausted. (H) If the final order increases the amount of capital costs for which the utility may recover its weighted average cost of capital through revised rates, the AFUDC booked on those capital costs between the issuance of the revised rates order and the final order shall remain on the books of the utility and shall not be reversed or adjusted. Surcharges related to undercollection of costs must be calculated without consideration of AFUDC amounts recognized on the capital costs during this period. (I) If the final order reduces the amount of capital cost for which the utility may recover its weighted average cost of capital through revised rates for reasons other than the conclusive finding that the capital costs were imprudently incurred, then the utility may resume accrual of AFUDC on any capital costs that were not included in rate recovery and may book an amount of AFUDC equal to the AFUDC not recognized during the time the rates approved in the revised rates order were in effect.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-13-440 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 13 / Article 7 / Section 58-13-440
SECTION 58-13-440. Time and place in which freight adjustments shall be made; liability of carrier.
Status: in_force

Every claim for freight overcharged or for loss of or damage to property and baggage while in the possession of such common carrier shall be adjusted and paid within thirty days, in the case of shipments wholly within this State, and within forty days, in case of shipments from without this State, after the filing of such claim with the agent of such carrier at the point of destination of such shipment and when there is no agent at such point such claim may be filed with the agent at the nearest station to such point of destination having an agent. But no such claim shall be filed until after the arrival of the shipment, or of some part thereof, at the point of destination or until after the lapse of a reasonable time for the arrival thereof. In every case such common carrier shall be liable for the amount of such loss or damage, together with interest thereon from the date of the filing of the claim therefor until the payment thereof. Failure to adjust and pay such claim within the periods respectively herein prescribed shall subject the common carrier so failing to a penalty of fifty dollars for each and every such failure, to be recovered by any consignee aggrieved in any court of competent jurisdiction. But unless such consignee recovers in such action the full amount claimed no penalty shall be recovered, but only the actual amount of the loss or damage, with interest as aforesaid. No common carrier shall be liable under this section for property which never came into its possession if it complies with the provisions of Section 58-13-220.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-17-2310 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 17 / Article 19 / Section 58-17-2310
SECTION 58-17-2310. Consignees of coal or other articles delivered in carload lots may have same reweighed.
Status: in_force

Any consignee of coal or other articles to be delivered to him in carload lots by any common carrier at any point within the limits of this State where such common carrier maintains track scales may demand that such coal or other articles to be reweighed before delivery to him by such common carrier and such common carrier, within forty-eight hours after such demand, shall reweigh such articles and deliver to such consignee a written, or partly written and partly printed, statement, showing the true weight thereof.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-4-110 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 4 / Section 58-4-110
SECTION 58-4-110. Annual reports.
Status: in_force

The regulatory staff must make and publish annual reports to the General Assembly on its activities in the interest of the using and consuming public.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-31-140 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 31 / Article 1 / Section 58-31-140
SECTION 58-31-140. State and its subdivisions shall never levy taxes or appropriate funds for project.
Status: in_force

It is hereby declared that the State and any of its political subdivisions shall never levy any tax to pay any obligations incurred in building this project or make any appropriation to carry on the work of developing the Santee-Cooper power project.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-3-40 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 3 / Article 1 / Section 58-3-40
SECTION 58-3-40. Election of chairman; hearing officer.
Status: in_force

(A) The commission must elect one of its members as chairman for a period of two years. (B) The chairman is the chief executive and administrative officer of the commission. (C)(1) Upon the request of any party or any commissioner, the commission may employ a hearing officer who may hear and determine procedural motions or other matters not determinative of the merits of the proceedings and made prior to hearing; and, at the hearing, shall make all rulings on nondispositive motions and objections. If qualified pursuant to item (3), a commission staff attorney may serve as hearing officer. (2) The hearing officer has full authority, subject to being overruled by the commission, to rule on questions concerning the conduct of the case and the admission of evidence but may not participate in the determination on the merits of any case. (3) The hearing officer must be an attorney qualified to practice in all courts of this State with a minimum of eight years' practice experience.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-33-220 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 33 / Article 4 / Section 58-33-220
SECTION 58-33-220. Definitions.
Status: in_force

The following terms, when used in this article, shall have the following meanings, unless another meaning is clearly apparent from the context: (1) "AFUDC" means the allowance for funds used during construction of a plant calculated according to regulatory accounting principles. (2) "Base load plant" or "plant" means a new coal or nuclear fueled electrical generating unit or units or facility that is designed to be operated at a capacity factor exceeding seventy percent annually, has a gross initial generation capacity of three hundred fifty megawatts or more, and is intended in whole or in part to serve retail customers of a utility in South Carolina, and for a coal plant, includes Best Available Control Technology, as defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, for the control of air emissions. (3) "Base load review application" or "application" means an application for a base load review order under the terms of this article. (4) "Base load review order" means an order issued by the commission pursuant to Section 58-33-270 establishing that if a plant is constructed in accordance with an approved construction schedule, approved capital costs estimates, and approved projections of in-service expenses, as defined herein, the plant is considered to be used and useful for utility purposes such that its capital costs are prudent utility costs and are properly included in rates. (5) "Capital costs" or "plant capital costs" means costs associated with the design, siting, selection, acquisition, licensing, construction, testing, and placing into service of a base load plant, and capital costs incurred to expand or upgrade the transmission grid in order to connect the plant to the transmission grid and includes costs that may be properly considered capital costs associated with a plant under generally accepted principles of regulatory or financial accounting, and specifically includes AFUDC associated with a plant and capital costs associated with facilities or investments for the transportation, delivery, storage, and handling of fuel. (6) "Combined application" means a base load review application which is combined with an application for a certificate under the Utility Facility Siting and Environmental Protection Act, or which involves a plant located outside of the State of South Carolina, and at the utility's option may be combined with an application for new electric rates under Section 58-27-860. (7) "Combined proceeding" means a proceeding to consider all aspects of a combined application. (8) "Construction work in progress" means capital costs as defined above associated with a base load plant which have been incurred but have not been included in the utility's plant-in-service. (9) "General rate proceeding" means a proceeding under Section 58-27-810 and other applicable provisions for the establishment of new electric rates and charges, and where orders in general rate proceedings are referenced in this article, these orders include rate orders issued in proceedings or combined proceedings under this article. (10) "In-service expenses" means reasonably projected expenses recognized under generally accepted principles of regulatory and financial accounting as a result of a plant commencing commercial operation, including: (a) expenses associated with operating and maintaining a plant, as well as taxes and governmental charges applicable to the plant including taxes other than income taxes; (b) depreciation and amortization expenses related to the plant; (c) revenue requirements related to the utility's cost of capital applied to the investment in supplies, inventories, and working capital associated with the plant; and (d) other costs determined by the commission to be appropriate for ratemaking purposes. In-service expenses include, but are not limited to, labor, supplies, insurance, general and administrative expenses, and the cost of outside services, but do not include costs recovered as fuel costs pursuant to Section 58-27-865. (11) "Person" means any individual, group, firm, partnership, or corporation. (12) "Preconstruction costs" means all costs associated with a potential nuclear plant incurred before issuance of a final certificate under the Utility Facility Siting and Environmental Protection Act, including, without limitation, the costs of evaluation, design, engineering, environmental and geotechnical analysis and permitting, contracting, other required permitting including early site permitting and combined operating license permitting, and initial site preparation costs and related consulting and professional costs, and shall include AFUDC associated with those costs. For potential nuclear plants located in other states, the costs must be those incurred before issuance of a certificate by the host state under statutes comparable to the Utility Facility Siting and Environmental Protection Act. (13) "Proceeding" means the proceeding to consider an application filed under this chapter. (14) "Project development application" means an application for a project development order. (15) "Project development order" means an order establishing the prudence of a utility's decision to incur preconstruction costs associated with a nuclear plant or potential nuclear plant. (16) "Return on equity" means the return on common equity established in the base load review order for a plant. But, if the order in the utility's most recent general rate proceeding was issued no more than five years before the date of filing of the application or combined application, or if such an order is issued after the application, combined application or base load review order related to the plant is filed, then at the utility's option, the rate of return on common equity established in that order shall be the rate of return used for computing future rate revisions under this article. A project-specific return on equity set hereunder shall apply exclusively to the establishment of the weighted average cost of capital under this article and shall not be used for reporting or any other purpose. (17) "Revised rates" means a revised schedule of electric rates and charges reflecting a change to the utility's then current nonfuel rates and charges to add incremental revenue requirements related to a base load plant as authorized in this article. For a nuclear plant under construction, until it enters commercial operation the rate adjustments related to the plant shall include recovery of the weighted average cost of capital applied to the outstanding balance of capital costs of that plant only and shall not include depreciation or other items constituting a return of capital to the utility. For a coal plant, no revised rates shall be allowed except that an adjustment under Section 58-33-280(J)(1) shall be permitted to take effect on or after the date commercial operations of the plant commence. (18) "Revised rates order" means an order issued by the commission approving, modifying, or denying the utility's request to charge revised rates under this article, which revised rates order an aggrieved party may contest in an adversarial hearing before the commission. (19) "Revised rates proceedings" means all proceedings to consider an application for revised rates or review of a revised rates order. (20) "Utility" means a person owning or operating equipment or facilities for generating, transmitting, or delivering electricity to South Carolina retail customers for compensation but it shall not include electric cooperatives, municipalities, the South Carolina Public Service Authority, or a person furnishing electricity only to himself, itself, its residents, employees, or tenants when the electricity is not resold or used by others. (21) "Utility Facility Siting and Environmental Protection Act" means Section 58-33-10 and other applicable provisions of this chapter. (22) "Weighted average cost of capital" or "cost of capital" means the utility's average cost of debt and equity capital: (a) incorporating the return on equity; (b) incorporating the utility's current weighted average cost of debt; (c) weighting (a) and (b) according to the utility's capital structure for ratemaking purposes, as established in the order in the utility's last general rate proceeding, updated to reflect the utility's current levels of debt and equity capital; and (d) adjusting the result for the effect of income taxes. (23) "Imprudent" or "imprudence" includes, but is not limited to, lack of caution, care, or diligence as determined by the commission in regard to any action or decision taken by the utility or one acting on its behalf including, but not limited to, its officers, board, agents, employees, contractors, subcontractors, consultants affecting the project, or any other person acting on behalf of or for the utility affecting the project. Imprudent or imprudence includes, but does not require, a finding of negligence, carelessness, or recklessness. Imprudence on behalf of any contractor, subcontractor, agent, or person hired to construct a plant or perform any action or service on behalf of the utility shall be attributed to the utility. (24) "Prudent", "prudence", or "prudency" means a high standard of caution, care, and diligence in regard to any action or decision taken by the utility or one acting on its behalf including, but not limited to, its officers, board, agents, employees, contractors, subcontractors, consultants affecting the project, or any other person acting on behalf of or for the utility affecting the project. To the extent a utility enters a contract with a third party that delegates some or all decision-making authority related to the project, the utility retains the burden of establishing the prudency of specific items of cost or specific third-party decisions. "Prudent", "prudence", or "prudency" also requires that any action or decision be made in a timely manner. In determining whether any action or decision was prudent, the commission shall consider, including, but not limited to: (a) whether the utility acts in a timely manner, with any passage of time which results in increased costs or expense prior to the utility acting or making the decision weighing against a finding of prudency; (b) whether prior actions or decisions by the utility were imprudent and such imprudent actions led to a decision by the utility that could otherwise be prudent. Such circumstances weigh against a finding of prudency; and (c) any other relevant factors, including commission of a fraudulent act, which are deemed not to be prudent. As used in item (c), "fraud" includes, in addition to its normal legal connotation, concealment, omission, misrepresentation, or nondisclosure of a material fact in any proceeding or filing before the commission or Office of Regulatory Staff. Proceedings and filings to which the provisions of this paragraph apply include, but are not limited to, rate or revised rate filings, responsive filings, motions, pleadings, briefs, memoranda, document requests, and other communications before the commission or Office of Regulatory Staff. Editor's Note 2018 Act No. 258, SECTION 12, provides as follows: "SECTION 12. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor and applies to all cases, proceedings, petitions, or matters pending before the Public Service Commission or in any other court or venue on or after the effective date of this act." Effect of Amendment 2018 Act No. 258, SECTION 1, added (23), relating to the definition of "imprudent", and added (24), relating to the definition of "prudent".
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-9-2210 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 9 / Article 20 / Section 58-9-2210
SECTION 58-9-2210. Cable service franchise agreement authority.
Status: in_force

Nothing in this article shall limit a municipality's authority to enter into and charge for franchise agreements with respect to cable services as governed by 47 U.S.C. Section 542.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-15-90 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 15 / Article 1 / Section 58-15-90
SECTION 58-15-90. Issuance of charter.
Status: in_force

Upon the filing of the return and the payment of charter fees required by Chapter 29 of Title 33 the Secretary of State shall issue to the board of directors a certificate, to be known as a charter, that the corporation has been fully organized, according to the laws of this State under the name and for the purpose indicated in the written declaration; that it is fully authorized to commence business under its charter; that it is a body politic and corporate and as such may sue and be sued in any of the courts of this State; and, in the case of a railroad corporation, that it is entitled to all the rights and privileges and subject to all the liabilities of railroad corporations under the laws of this State.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-9-1040 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 9 / Article 9 / Section 58-9-1040
SECTION 58-9-1040. Issuance of subpoenas and other process.
Status: in_force

The commission and each commissioner may issue subpoenas, subpoenas duces tecum, and all other necessary processes in proceedings pending before it and these processes extend to all parts of the State and may be served by any person authorized by law to serve processes.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-27-200 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 27 / Article 1 / Section 58-27-200
SECTION 58-27-200. Inspection of tax returns and other information.
Status: in_force

In the performance of its duties under this chapter, an employee or agent of the Office of Regulatory Staff may inspect or make copies of all income, property, or other tax returns, reports, or other information filed by electrical utilities or the South Carolina Public Service Authority, with or otherwise obtained by any other department, commission, board, or agency of the state government. All departments, commissions, boards, or agencies of the state government must permit an employee or agent of the Office of Regulatory Staff to inspect or make copies of all information filed by electrical utilities or the South Carolina Public Service Authority, with or otherwise obtained by the department, commission, board, or agency of the state government. Effect of Amendment 2021 Act No. 90, SECTION 16, in the first and second sentences, inserted "or the South Carolina Public Service Authority," following "electrical utilities".
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-27-690 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 27 / Article 5 / Section 58-27-690
SECTION 58-27-690. Act 431 of 1984 not affected by Act 173 of 1987.
Status: repealed

Nothing in Title 28, Chapter 2 (Sections 28-2-10 et seq.), and Sections 1-11-110, 3-5-50, 3-5-100, 3-5-330, 4-17-20, 5-27-150, 5-31-420, 5-31-430, 5-31-440, 5-31-610, 5-35-10, 6-11-130, 6-23-290, 13-1-350, 13-11-80, 24-1-230, 28-3-20, 28-3-30, 28-3-140, 28-3-460, 46-19-130, 48-11-110, 48-15-30, 48-15-50, 48-17-30, 48-17-50, 49-17-1050, 49-19-1060, 49-19-1440, 50-13-1920, 51-1-560, 54-3-150, 55-9-80, 55-11-10, 57-3-700, 57-5-370, 57-5-380, 57-21-200, 57-25-190, 57-25-470, 57-25-680, 57-27-70, 58-9-2030, 58-15-410, 58-17-1200, 13-1-1330, 58-27-130, 58-31-50, 59-19-200, 59-105-40, 59-117-70, 59-123-90 shall modify, abridge, or repeal Sections 58-27-650, 58-27-670, 58-27-680, 58-27-1280, or 58-27-1360. Editor's Note Act No. 431 of 1984 amended Sections 58-27-650, 58-27-670, 58-27-1280, and 58-27-1360, and added Section 58-27-680. For the code sections added, amended, or repealed by the 1987 Act No. 173, see Table B, Allocation of Acts, in the supplement to Volume 22. This section contains a reference to SECTION 51-1-560. There is no SECTION 51-1-560.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-17-1160 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 17 / Article 9 / Section 58-17-1160
SECTION 58-17-1160. Acquisition of rights-of-way around tracks.
Status: in_force

Railroad corporations organized under the provisions of this chapter may acquire rights-of-way, not exceeding seventy-five feet from the center of their track in each direction, and additional land necessary for deep cuts, high fills, borrow pits, streams and highway changes made necessary by the construction of the railroad; provided, that in no case shall the right of way acquired exceed one hundred and fifty feet from the center of the track in each direction. And such corporations may exercise the same powers with relation to such tracks and their depots and crossing other railroads, highways and streams as railroads chartered by the General Assembly.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-31-10 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 31 / Article 1 / Section 58-31-10
SECTION 58-31-10. Creation of South Carolina Public Service Authority; offices.
Status: in_force

There is hereby created a body corporate and politic to be known as the South Carolina Public Service Authority (herein called the "Public Service Authority"), with a principal office in the town of Moncks Corner near the Santee-Cooper power dam and navigation locks in Berkeley County, and with such branch offices in the State of South Carolina as the directors may determine.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-33-130 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 33 / Article 3 / Section 58-33-130
SECTION 58-33-130. Hearings.
Status: in_force

(1) Upon the receipt of an application complying with Section 58-33-120, the commission shall promptly fix a date for the commencement of a public hearing, not less than sixty nor more than ninety days after the receipt, and complete the hearing and issue an order on the merits within one hundred eighty days of receipt of the application. (2) The testimony presented at the hearing may be presented in writing or orally, provided that the commission may make rules designed to exclude repetitive, redundant or irrelevant testimony; however, all expert testimony must be prefiled with the commission, with responsive expert testimony of non-applicants being received with enough time for the applicant to meaningfully respond, and in no case would expert testimony be filed less than twenty days before the hearing. (3) On an application for an amendment of a certificate, the commission shall hold a hearing in the same manner as a hearing is held on an application for a certificate if the proposed change in the facility would result in any significant increase in any environmental impact of the facility or a substantial change in the location of all or a portion of the facility; provided, that the Public Service Commission shall forward a copy of the application to all parties upon the filing of an application. Editor's Note 2025 Act No. 41, SECTION 1, provides as follows: "SECTION 1. This act may be cited as the 'South Carolina Energy Security Act.' " 2025 Act No. 41, SECTION 33, provides as follows: "SECTION 33. (A) To foster economic development and future jobs in this State resulting from the supply chains associated with the same while supporting the significant and growing energy and capacity needs of the State, enhance grid resiliency, and maintain reliability, the General Assembly finds that the State of South Carolina should take steps necessary to encourage the development of a diverse mix of long-lead, clean generation resources that may include nuclear and advanced nuclear, biomass as defined in Section 12-63-20(B)(2) of the S.C. Code, hydrogen-capable resources, fusion energy, and other technologies, and should preserve the option of efficiency development of such long-lead resources with timely actions to establish or maintain eligibility for or capture available tax or other financial incentives or address operational needs. "(B) For an electrical utility to capture available tax or other financial or operational incentives for South Carolina ratepayers in a timely manner, the commission may find that actions by an electrical utility in pursuit of the directives in Section 58-37-35(A) are in the public interest, provided that the commission determines that such proposed actions are in the public interest and reasonably balance economic development and industry retention benefits, capacity expansion benefits, resource adequacy and diversification and potential risks, costs, and benefits to ratepayers and otherwise comply with all other legal requirements applicable to the electrical utility's proposed action. For the South Carolina Public Service Authority, the Office of Regulatory Staff and the Public Service Authority's board of directors shall apply the same principles described in this subsection in evaluating and approving actions proposed by the management of the Public Service Authority to achieve the objectives of this section." 2025 Act No. 41, SECTION 41, provides as follows: "SECTION 41. (A) Five years after the effective date of this act, the Office of the Regulatory Staff shall prepare a report, to be filed with the Public Utilities Review Committee and the General Assembly, to address the implementation of Article 24, Chapter 27, Title 58 as it relates to the following areas: "(1) assessing the functioning of the procedures established by section with recommendation for any changes required to ensure their efficient functioning, to promote regulatory efficiency, and to make further the establishment of just, reasonable, and fair rates; "(2) assessing the effect of rates on ratepayers of all classes; "(3) assessing the reliability of the electric system and whether investments made by electric utilities increased reliability compared to any change in electric utility rates experienced by ratepayers within the same timeframe; and "(4) any other information requested by the General Assembly to be included within the report. "(B) The Office of Regulatory Staff may engage a qualified, independent third party to assist in preparation of the report. "(C) All expenses and charges incurred by the Office of Regulatory Staff in the performance of its duties within this section may be defrayed by assessments made by the Comptroller General against the regulated electrical utilities regulated and based upon twenty-five percent of the gross revenues collected by such electrical utilities from their business done wholly within this State in the manner set out in Section 58-4-60 for other corporations." 2025 Act No. 41, SECTION 42, provides as follows: "SECTION 42. Upon passage of this act, Dominion Energy shall evaluate the process for converting the Wateree Generating Station from coal-fired generation to biomass-fired generation. Biomass-fired generation includes, but is not limited to, generation from the firing of wood pellets and wood chips. Dominion Energy must make a report concerning the conversion process to the Public Service Commission and General Assembly by no later than January 13, 2026." Effect of Amendment 2025 Act No. 41, SECTION 20, rewrote (1); added (2) and made conforming changes; and in (3), made a nonsubstantive change.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-9-2030 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 9 / Article 17 / Section 58-9-2030
SECTION 58-9-2030. Condemnation powers generally.
Status: in_force

Whenever any telegraph or telephone company desires to construct its lines on, over, or under the lands of any person, including a railroad or railway, and fails to agree with the owner of the lands upon the compensation to be paid as damages for the right and use, the company may secure the right and privilege by condemnation actions against the condemnees; provided, however, in condemning railroad or railway property, the telegraph or telephone company agrees to remove at its own expense, any of its poles, wires, structures, or appurtenances if at any time their existence interferes with the right of the defendant railroad or railway company to construct additional tracks, switches, crossings, warehouses, depots, turntables, water tanks, or any other structures for the use of such railroad or railway company upon reasonable notice given it, at its expense, to such other points or places upon such right-of-way as may be agreed by such companies and agreeing not to interfere or come in contact with any other telegraph or telephone lines already constructed on such right-of-way.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-17-4040 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 17 / Article 33 / Section 58-17-4040
SECTION 58-17-4040. Penalty for gross carelessness or negligence.
Status: in_force

Whoever, having management of, or control over, a railroad train while being used for the common carriage of persons, is guilty of gross carelessness or neglect in, or in relation to, the management or control thereof shall forfeit a sum not exceeding five thousand dollars or be imprisoned not more than three years.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-5-460 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 5 / Article 4 / Section 58-5-460
SECTION 58-5-460. Petition for review of Initial Order or failure to issue order; hearing.
Status: in_force

Within thirty days of the issuance of an Initial Order pursuant to Section 58-5-450, or within thirty days of the failure by the commission to issue an order as required pursuant to Section 58-5-450, any aggrieved party may petition the commission for review of the Initial Order or failure to issue an order and all interested parties of record shall have a right to be heard at an evidentiary hearing on the matter. The party shall serve a copy of such petition on the Office of Regulatory Staff on the same day and by the same means as it is provided to the commission.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-27-240 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 27 / Article 1 / Section 58-27-240
SECTION 58-27-240. Construction of South Carolina Rural Development Act of 1996.
Status: in_force

No provision of the South Carolina Rural Development Act of 1996 may be construed to alter, modify, amend, or repeal, directly or by implication, any provision of Chapter 27 of Title 58, Chapter 31 of Title 58, Chapter 33 of Title 58, Chapter 23 of Title 6, Chapter 7 of Title 5, and Chapter 31 of Title 5, governing, among other things, the retail and wholesale distribution and sale of electric energy in this State. Editor's Note 1996 Act No. 462, SECTION 1, eff July 2, 1996, provides as follows: "SECTION 1. This act may be cited as the 'South Carolina Rural Development Act of 1996'."
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-27-2510 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 27 / Article 21 / Section 58-27-2510
SECTION 58-27-2510. Definitions.
Status: in_force

For purposes of this article: (1) "Licensed health care provider" means a licensed medical doctor, physician's assistant, nurse practitioner, or advanced-practice registered nurse. (2) "Special needs account customer" means the account of a residential customer: (a) when the customer can furnish to the utility a certificate on a form provided by the utility and signed by a licensed health care provider that states that termination of electric service would be dangerous to the health of the customer or a member of his household at the premises to which electric service is rendered; or (b) who suffers from Alzheimer's disease or dementia as certified by a licensed health care provider.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-5-60 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 5 / Article 1 / Section 58-5-60
SECTION 58-5-60. Exemption of certain rates, tolls, charges, or fares set by franchise or ordinance from declaration of unreasonableness by Commission.
Status: in_force

The Commission shall have no power to declare any rate, toll, charge or fare or any maximum rate, toll, charge or fare contained in, or provided for, by any franchise or ordinance, whereby any municipality, prior to March 24, 1922, has given any public utility the right to use the streets or public places of such municipality for any purpose, to be unreasonable and noncompensatory when such ordinance or franchise has been, prior to March 24, 1922, accepted by such public utility.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-27-180 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 27 / Article 1 / Section 58-27-180
SECTION 58-27-180. Valuations and revaluations of property of utilities.
Status: in_force

The commission may, after hearing, ascertain and fix the value of the whole or any part of the property of any electrical utility insofar as the same is material to the exercise of the jurisdiction of the commission and may, after hearing, make revaluations from time to time and ascertain the value of all new construction, extensions, and additions to the property of every electrical utility.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-17-3310 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 17 / Article 27 / Section 58-17-3310
SECTION 58-17-3310. Certification of compliance of railroad or branch extension.
Status: in_force

A railroad or branch or extension of a railroad must not be opened for public use until the Office of Regulatory Staff, after an examination, certifies that all laws relating to the construction thereof have been complied with and that the road appears to be in a safe condition for operation, unless the Office of Regulatory Staff, after ten days' written notice to it by the railroad company of such proposed opening, fails to make an examination.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-17-2810 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 17 / Article 23 / Section 58-17-2810
SECTION 58-17-2810. Railroads shall deliver cars from other roads on equal terms; damages; effect of rebates or fraud.
Status: in_force

Each railroad company in this State shall, at its terminus or any intermediate station, be required to switch off and deliver to any connecting road having the same gauge, in the yard of the latter, all cars passing over its lines, or any portion of them, containing goods or freights consigned, without rebate or deception, by any route, at the option of the shipper, according to customary or published rates, to any point over or beyond such connecting road. Any failure to do so with reasonable diligence shall render the railroad company so failing liable to the owner or consignee for all damages that may result therefrom with interest and all costs and disbursements. Should the defendant in any suit brought under this section set up as a defense that the plaintiff has accepted a rebate, or practiced fraud or deception touching the rate, it shall be a complete reply to such defense if the plaintiff can prove that defendant or its agents has allowed a rebate or rebates, or practiced like fraud or deception, from the same competing points against the rival line.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-9-2520 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 9 / Article 21 / Section 58-9-2520
SECTION 58-9-2520. Statewide access program.
Status: in_force

(A) The commission may establish and the Office of Regulatory Staff may administer and promote a statewide program to provide telephone access to persons who are speech or hearing impaired. (B) The program may include, but is not limited to: (1) a statewide dual party relay service; (2) selection by the Office of Regulatory Staff of a service provider to provide a statewide relay system to handle all intrastate TDD calls; (3) a distribution system as provided by the Office of Regulatory Staff of TTY's and other related telecommunications devices; and (4) prescribing or promulgating procedures, regulations, guidelines, and criteria to establish, implement, administer, regulate, and promote all aspects of the dual party relay service and the distribution of TTY and other related telecommunications devices, and the establishment of a funding mechanism to cover all associated costs of these services and this article where not prohibited by law. The administration, implementation, and promotion of the dual party relay service and the distribution of TTY and other related telecommunications devices is the responsibility of the Office of Regulatory Staff. The administration of the funding mechanism is the responsibility of the Office of Regulatory Staff. (C) The commission and the Office of Regulatory Staff may use assistance from state and federal agencies or from private organizations and industry to accomplish the purposes of this article.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-11-60 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 11 / Article 1 / Section 58-11-60
SECTION 58-11-60. Procedure for changes in rates initiated by radio common carrier.
Status: in_force

Whenever a radio common carrier desires to put into operation a new rate which affects the radio common carrier's general body of subscribers, the radio common carrier shall give the commission and the Office of Regulatory Staff not less than thirty days' notice of its intention to file and shall, after the expiration of the notice period, then file with the commission a schedule setting forth the proposed changes; provided, however, a hearing shall not be required when the proposed rate is a proposal to institute or modify an offering or regulation that is not part of a general rate case and does not affect the radio common carrier's general body of subscribers. Subject to the provisions of subsections (B) and (C) of Section 58-11-70, the proposed changes must not be put into effect in full or in part until approved by the commission.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-23-1090 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 23 / Article 11 / Section 58-23-1090
SECTION 58-23-1090. Special markers for reserve or substitute passenger vehicles.
Status: in_force

When any reserve or substitute vehicle maintained by a motor carrier holding a certificate D, or a certificate A or a certificate B for passenger vehicles, to be used only in emergencies, is in use it may be designated by a special marker to be furnished by the Office of Regulatory Staff. Effect of Amendment 2022 Act No. 214, SECTION 22, substituted "may be designated" for "must be designated".
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-17-4110 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 17 / Article 33 / Section 58-17-4110
SECTION 58-17-4110. Penalty for loitering in or about station houses.
Status: in_force

Whoever, without right, loiters or remains within any station house of a railroad corporation or upon the platform or grounds adjacent to such station, after being requested to leave the same by any authorized railroad officer or employee, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction thereof, shall pay a fine of not more than fifty dollars or be confined in the county jail or required to work on the chain gang for not more than thirty days. SECTION 58-17-4120. Certain persons shall be deemed agents of railroad corporation. Any person occupying an office or room in any railway station and attending to and transacting therein the business of any railroad under the charter of such railroad shall be deemed the agent of such corporation, notwithstanding he may claim to be the agent of some other person or corporation claiming to operate such railroad by virtue of any lease, contract or agreement. A bill of lading, receipt, agreement or contract signed or entered into by any such person as agent of any such person or corporation operating such railroad shall be deemed the contract of the corporation under the charter of which the railroad is authorized.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-23-1110 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 23 / Article 12 / Section 58-23-1110
SECTION 58-23-1110. Definitions.
Status: in_force

As used in this article: (1) The term "corporation" means a corporation, company, association, or joint stock association. (2) The term "person" means an individual, a firm, or a partnership. (3) The term "commission" means the Public Service Commission of South Carolina. (4) The term "private carrier" means every corporation or person, their lessees, trustees, or receivers, owning, controlling, operating, or managing any motor propelled vehicle used in transporting persons or property over any improved public highway in this State, which private carriers are not included in the term motor vehicle carrier as defined in Section 58-23-10. (5) The term "motor carrier" means every corporation or person, their lessees, trustees, or receivers, owning, controlling, operating, or managing any motor propelled vehicle used in transporting persons or property over any improved public highway in this State, whether or not for compensation, as defined by Section 58-23-30 and includes, but is not limited to, motor vehicle carriers as defined in Section 58-23-10 and private carriers. (6) The term "trailer" means a vehicle equipped to carry a load and which is attached to and drawn by a motor vehicle. Trailers are classed as motor vehicles and subject to the provisions of this article. (7) The term "improved public highway" means every improved public highway in this State which is or may hereafter be declared to be a part of the state highway system or any county highway system or a street of any city or town. (8) The term "regulatory staff" means the executive director or the executive director and employees of the Office of Regulatory Staff.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-15-1140 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 15 / Article 11 / Section 58-15-1140
SECTION 58-15-1140. Each violation shall constitute a separate offense.
Status: in_force

Each act done in violation of such Act to Regulate Commerce, its amendments or orders of said commission, and each separate failure to obey the same or discrimination, preference, or overcharge to each separate person shall constitute, both as to the railroad company offending or such officers, agents, or employees, separate offenses hereunder and render the corporation or person offending liable to successive indictments and punishment therefor.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-27-2410 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 27 / Article 19 / Section 58-27-2410
SECTION 58-27-2410. General penalty.
Status: in_force

Any person or corporation violating any provision of this chapter, other than Section 58-27-1530, or failing, omitting or neglecting to obey, observe or comply with any lawful order of the Commission, or any part or provision thereof, shall be subject to a penalty of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than five thousand dollars for each offense and reasonable expenses including attorney's fees.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-9-250 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 9 / Article 3 / Section 58-9-250
SECTION 58-9-250. Unreasonable preferences and differences in rates or service shall not be made; reasonable classifications may be established.
Status: in_force

No telephone utility shall, as to rates or services, make or grant any unreasonable preference or advantage to any person or corporation or subject any person or corporation to any unreasonable prejudice or disadvantage. No telephone utility shall establish or maintain any unreasonable difference as to rates or service, either as between localities or as between classes of service. Subject to the approval of the Commission, however, telephone utilities may establish classifications of rates and services and such classifications may take into account the conditions and circumstances surrounding the service, such as the time when used, the purpose for which used, the demand upon plant facilities, the value of the service rendered or any other reasonable consideration. The Commission may determine any question arising under this section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-9-585 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 9 / Article 5 / Section 58-9-585
SECTION 58-9-585. Alternative means of regulating interexchange telecommunications carrier.
Status: in_force

(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the commission, on the request of an interexchange telecommunications carrier, may consider, in lieu of the procedures outlined in this chapter, alternative means of regulating that carrier. If the commission first determines, after notice and hearing, that the substantial evidence of record shows that a particular service is competitive in the relevant geographic market, the commission may implement regulatory alternatives including, but not limited to, the provisions outlined in this section. (B) If the commission determines that an interexchange telecommunications carrier service is competitive, the commission shall not fix or prescribe the rates, tolls, charges, or rate structures for that service. In determining whether a service is competitive, the commission shall consider, at a minimum, the availability, market share, and price of comparable service alternatives. The commission shall require that the interexchange telecommunications carriers file with the commission and maintain with the Office of Regulatory Staff price lists for competitive telecommunications services. (C) The commission is authorized to reclassify a telecommunications service provided by an interexchange carrier as noncompetitive if, after notice and hearing, the substantial evidence of record shows that sufficient competition does not exist for that service. (D) For an interexchange telecommunications carrier service found to be noncompetitive, the commission may implement other regulatory alternatives including, but not limited to, price caps. (E) Nothing in this section limits any authority of the commission or the Office of Regulatory Staff with respect to the reporting requirements of interexchange telecommunications carriers to establish standards for the quality of service, resolution of complaints, privacy, and the ordering, installation, restoration, and disconnection of interexchange service. (F) For the purposes of this section, the term "interexchange telecommunications carrier service" is limited to toll services provided by telephone utilities.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-23-290 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 23 / Article 3 / Section 58-23-290
SECTION 58-23-290. Partial A, B, and D certificates.
Status: in_force

In ordering the issuance of a certificate A, B, or D the commission may direct the issuance of a certificate for partial exercise only of the privileges sought, but without alteration of the license charges fixed thereon. Editor's Note 2022 Act No. 214, SECTION 25, provides as follows: "SECTION 25. The Public Service Commission must make information readily available so that the general public can easily access information regarding the requirements in Articles 3 and 9 in Chapter 23, Title 58. This includes, but is not limited to, the commission posting on its website information regarding the following: list of certified companies, maximum rates, insurance, and complaint resolution." Effect of Amendment 2022 Act No. 214, SECTION 13, substituted "direct" for "order".
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-27-1740 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 27 / Article 13 / Section 58-27-1740
SECTION 58-27-1740. Limitation of amount and use of proceeds of issue.
Status: in_force

Such electrical utility shall not issue any securities in greater amounts than specified in such certificate and shall apply the proceeds of such issue to the purposes specified in its petition.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-17-2820 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 17 / Article 23 / Section 58-17-2820
SECTION 58-17-2820. Refusal to pay freight to connecting carrier shall be unlawful.
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful for any railroad chartered or operated in this State to refuse to pay any carrier on traffic delivered at any of its terminal or junction points such freight charges as may have accrued from the original point of shipment to the terminal or junction points, wherever delivery may be made, and to which at current rates the carrier making such delivery and previous carriers interested may be justly entitled to whenever such freight may be collected by the road making the delivery to consignee; provided, that: (1) The total amount of freight charges does not exceed an amount equal to one half the market value of the property transported; (2) This section does not apply on property which, from its nature, is classed as "prepaid freight" or which may be destined for points designated and conducted as prepaid stations, of which due public notice has been given; and (3) Such carrier shall afford to such railroad company making the delivery to the consignee the same advantages and facilities, in the handling and interchange of business, that it affords any other railroad at the same point.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-12-325 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 12 / Article 3 / Section 58-12-325
SECTION 58-12-325. Transfer from county or municipality issued franchise authority to state issued franchise authority.
Status: in_force

At the time any certificate of franchise authority is issued by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of State immediately shall post information relating to the certificate, specifically including all municipalities and counties described pursuant to Section 58-12-310(B)(2). At any time on or after the date when the holder of a state-issued certificate of franchise authority gives notice, as required by Section 58-12-310(K), that it is beginning to offer cable or video service in a given municipality or county, any cable service provider serving such municipality or county shall have the option to terminate existing franchises previously issued by such municipality or county and instead offer cable or video service in such municipality or county under a certificate of franchise authority that the Secretary of State shall issue in accordance with the requirements of Section 58-12-310. A cable service provider exercising its termination option shall file a statement of termination with the Secretary of State on a form as required by the Secretary of State and submit copies of such filing with any affected municipalities or counties. Termination of existing franchises is effective immediately upon issuance of a certificate of franchising authority by the Secretary of State granting authority to provide cable or video service in the described municipalities and counties. Upon termination of existing franchises as provided in this section, the cable or video service provided by the provider exercising its termination option is governed by the provisions of this article in those municipalities and counties where the franchises have been terminated. The termination option of this section applies only with respect to municipalities and counties which have been described pursuant to Section 58-12-310(B)(2) by a holder of a state certificate of franchise authority and not with respect to franchises issued by other municipalities and counties.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-17-170 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 17 / Article 1 / Section 58-17-170
SECTION 58-17-170. General supervision of railroads; enforcement of chapter.
Status: in_force

The Office of Regulatory Staff shall have the general supervision of all railroads and railways in this State operated by steam and must examine them and keep informed as to their condition and the manner in which they are operated, with reference to the security and accommodation of the public and the compliance of the several corporations with the provisions of their charters and the laws of the State. The Office of Regulatory Staff shall enforce the provisions of this chapter.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-17-4130 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 17 / Article 33 / Section 58-17-4130
SECTION 58-17-4130. Liabilities of corporation operating road of another and of trustees and receivers.
Status: in_force

When a railroad laid out and constructed by one corporation is lawfully maintained and operated by another corporation, the latter shall be subject to the duties, liabilities, restrictions and other provisions as they are set forth in the General Railroad Law respecting or arising from the maintenance and operation of such railroad in the same manner as if it had been laid out and constructed by the latter corporation. When a railroad is lawfully maintained and operated by trustees or receivers they shall in like manner be subject to the duties, liabilities, restrictions and other provisions respecting or arising from the maintenance and operation of such railroad which are attached in the General Railroad Law to the corporation for whose stockholders or creditors, or either, they are trustees or receivers.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-31-340 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 31 / Article 3 / Section 58-31-340
SECTION 58-31-340. Filing and correcting drawings; acquisition of facilities outside service area.
Status: in_force

Each of the drawings referred to in Section 58-31-330 must be filed in the place provided by law for recording the real estate records of the county concerned, and a certified copy of each drawing must be filed in the office of the Secretary of State. Certified copies of the drawing must be kept available for examination by the public in the principal office of the Public Service Authority, and must be furnished to the electrical utility or electric cooperative concerned. Inaccuracies in the drawings discovered after certification and filing must be corrected by preparing revised drawings and approving and filing the revised drawings in the same manner as provided for original drawings. Nothing contained in Sections 58-31-310 through 58-31-370 may be construed to prevent the Public Service Authority from acquiring, by purchase, the electric facilities, or any part of them, owned by another electrical utility and located in any of the crosshatched areas described in Section 58-31-330. The areas served by facilities purchased by the Public Service Authority shall become a part of the present service area of the Public Service Authority and must be evidenced by revised drawings approved and filed as provided in this section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-9-2150 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 9 / Article 17 / Section 58-9-2150
SECTION 58-9-2150. Delivery of messages between points in this State.
Status: in_force

Any message delivered to a telegraph or telephone company within this State for transmission to any other point within this State shall be as a matter of fact, and regarded as a matter of law, as and for an intrastate transaction and shall be transmitted by such company by the most direct and practical route within this State. Any violation of the provisions of this section by any such corporation shall be subject to a penalty of five hundred dollars for each violation, to be recovered by the party aggrieved and shall forfeit the right of such corporation to do business in the State.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-17-4140 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 17 / Article 33 / Section 58-17-4140
SECTION 58-17-4140. Collection of fines and penalties.
Status: in_force

All fines or forfeitures provided for or prescribed in the General Railroad Law must, unless otherwise expressly provided, be collected by an action to be brought in the name of the State against the offending person or corporation in any court of competent jurisdiction by the Office of Regulatory Staff or the solicitor of the circuit in which the offense is in whole or in part committed.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-17-3410 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 17 / Article 27 / Section 58-17-3410
SECTION 58-17-3410. Shelter for employees in railroad shops or yards.
Status: in_force

All railway companies having railroad shops in this State at division points, where cars are regularly taken out of trains for repairs or construction work or where other railroad equipment is regularly made, repaired, or constructed, must furnish or construct a building or shed in the shops or yards, with a suitable and sufficient roof over the repair and construction track or tracks so as to provide that all men or employees employed in the construction and repair of locomotives, cars, trucks, or other railroad equipment, except when slight or minor repairs or repairs are done in an emergency, must be under shelter and protected during snow, rain, sleet, hot sunshine, and other inclement weather. The Office of Regulatory Staff may direct the points at which sheds shall be erected and the character of the sheds after a hearing before the Public Service Commission of which public notice has been given. Any railroad found guilty of violating the provisions of this section is subject to a fine of fifty dollars per day for every day of the violation.
S.C. Code Ann. § 58-27-1980 — SC Code / Title 58 / Chapter 27 / Article 15 / Section 58-27-1980
SECTION 58-27-1980. Time, place and notice of hearing.
Status: in_force

The Commission shall fix the time and place of all hearings and shall serve notice thereof not less than twenty days before the time set for such hearing, unless the Commission shall find that public necessity requires that such hearing be held at an earlier date, in which event the notice shall be reasonable in view of all the circumstances.