dcrodriguez/Code-of-Virginia huggingface dataset:
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 3 (ISSUANCE OF STOCKS, BONDS, ETC.)
§ 56-73. Penalty as to officers, etc., for violation of provisions of chapter.
Every officer, agent or employee of a public service company, and every other person (1) who knowingly authorizes, directs, aids in, issues or executes, or causes to be issued or executed, any stock or stock certificate or other evidence of interest or ownership, or bond, note or other evidence of indebtedness, otherwise than in conformity with the order of the Commission authorizing the same, or contrary to the provisions of this chapter; or (2) who, in any proceedings before the Commission, knowingly makes any false statement or representation or, with knowledge of its falsity, files or causes to be filed with the Commission any false statement or representation which statement or representation so made, filed or caused to be filed may tend in any way to influence the Commission to make an order authorizing the issuance of any stock or stock certificate or other evidence of interest or ownership, or any bond, note, or other evidence of indebtedness, or which results in procuring from the Commission the making of any such order; or (3) who, with knowledge that any false statement or representation was made to the Commission in any proceedings tending in any way to influence the Commission to make such order, issues or executes or originally negotiates, or causes to be issued, executed or originally negotiated any such stock or stock certificate or other evidence of interest or ownership, or bond, note or other evidence of indebtedness; or (4) who, directly or indirectly, knowingly applies, or causes or assists to be applied the proceeds, or any part thereof, from the sale of any stock or stock certificate or other evidence of interest or ownership, or bond, note or other evidence of indebtedness, to any purpose not specified in the Commission's order or to any purpose specified in the Commission's order in excess of the amount authorized for such purpose; or (5) who, with knowledge that any stock or stock certificate or other evidence of interest or ownership, or bond, note or other evidence of indebtedness, has been issued or executed in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter, originally negotiates the same, or causes the same to be originally negotiated, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

1934, p. 225; Michie Code 1942, § 4073(13).
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 3 (ISSUANCE OF STOCKS, BONDS, ETC.)
§ 56-74. State not obligated to pay or guarantee.
No provision of this chapter, and no deed or act done or performed under or in connection therewith, shall be held or construed to obligate the Commonwealth of Virginia to pay or guarantee, in any manner whatsoever, any stock or stock certificate or other evidence of interest or ownership, or bond, note or other evidence of indebtedness, authorized, issued or executed under the provisions of this chapter, nor shall any approval given under this chapter involve, or be construed or represented as involving, an expression of opinion on the part of the Commission as to value, and any person who shall make, directly or by implication, any statement or representation to the contrary shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

1934, p. 226; Michie Code 1942, § 4073(14).

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 3 (ISSUANCE OF STOCKS, BONDS, ETC.)
§ 56-75. Fees in connection with applications for authority to issue securities.
Upon the filing of an application for the approval of any issue of securities or the making of any loan under the provisions of this chapter, a filing fee in the amount of $25 shall be paid, and upon the approval or validation of any such issue of securities or upon the approval or validation of the making of any such loan, and as a condition precedent to the entry of the order of approval or validation, there shall be paid an additional fee equal to one tenth of one percent of the proposed selling price of the securities and the amount of the loan, subject to credit by the amount of such filing fee, and limited, as to any one issue of securities, whether issued at once or from time to time, and as to any one loan to the amount of $250.

A public service company may seek approval in one application of more than one issue of securities and more than one loan. In that event, the filing fee shall be twenty-five dollars, and the additional fees shall be computed as if all the issues and loans were one issue or one loan.

A public service company that has paid filing fees and additional fees aggregating $250 on account of the approval of loans from the United States may apply for the approval of further loans from the United States on payment of a filing fee and without payment of additional fees.

A filing fee shall in no case be returnable, but additional fees paid in advance of approval shall be returned, in whole or in part, should the application be withdrawn or modified or disapproved in whole or in part.

1934, p. 226; Michie Code 1942, § 4073(16); 1956, c. 429.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 4 (REGULATION OF RELATIONS WITH AFFILIATED INTERESTS)
§ 56-77. Certain contracts must be approved by the Commission.
A. No contract or arrangement providing for the furnishing of management, supervisory, construction, engineering, accounting, legal, financial, or similar services, and no contract or arrangement for the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of any property, right or thing, other than those above enumerated, or for the purchase or sale of treasury bonds or treasury capital stock made or entered into between a public service company and any affiliated interest shall be valid or effective unless and until it shall have been filed with and approved by the Commission. The Commission shall, after the filing of such a contract or arrangement, approve or disapprove the contract or arrangement within sixty days. The sixty-day period may be extended by Commission order for an additional period not to exceed thirty days. The contract or arrangement shall be deemed approved if the Commission fails to act within sixty days or any extended period ordered by the Commission. It shall be the duty of every public service company to file with the Commission a verified copy of any such contract or arrangement, regardless of the amount involved, and the general rule herein referred to shall remain in full force and effect as to all other public service companies.

B. The Commission may, in its discretion and upon petition of the public service company or upon the Commission's own action, choose to exempt a public service company from all or any part of the requirements imposed by subsection A if the Commission determines that such an exemption is in the public interest. In addition to exemptions for individual public service companies, the Commission may adopt rules implementing exemptions from all or any part of the requirements imposed by subsection A. The Commission may revoke any exemptions granted under this subsection if it finds that such action is in the public interest.

C. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 56-481.2, the Commission, after giving notice and an opportunity for a hearing, may, in its discretion, require any company certificated to provide, and engaged in the provision of, local exchange telephone service to meet the requirements of subsection A.

1934, p. 744; Michie Code 1942, § 3774c; 1996, c. 19; 1998, c. 707.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 4 (REGULATION OF RELATIONS WITH AFFILIATED INTERESTS)
§ 56-78. Exclusion from accounts of payments to affiliated companies.
In any proceeding, whether upon the Commission's own motion or upon complaint, involving the rates or practices of any public service company, the Commission may exclude in whole or in part from the accounts of such public service company any payment or compensation to an affiliated interest for any services rendered or property or service furnished, as above described, under existing contracts or arrangements with such affiliated interest, if it shall appear and be established upon investigation that such payment or compensation or such contract or arrangement is not consistent with the public interest. In such proceeding any payment or compensation may be disapproved or disallowed by the Commission, in whole or in part, unless satisfactory proof is submitted to the Commission of the cost to the affiliated interest rendering the service or furnishing the property or service above described.

1934, p. 744; Michie Code 1942, § 3774d.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 4 (REGULATION OF RELATIONS WITH AFFILIATED INTERESTS)
§ 56-79. Proof of costs in cases of payment to affiliated companies.
No proof shall be satisfactory, within the meaning of the foregoing sections, unless it includes the original (or verified copies) of the relevant cost records and other relevant accounts of the affiliated interest, or such abstract thereof or summary taken therefrom, as the Commission may deem adequate, properly identified and duly authenticated; provided, however, that the Commission may, where reasonable, approve or disapprove such contracts or arrangements without the submission of such cost records or accounts.

1934, p. 745; Michie Code 1942, § 3774e.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 4 (REGULATION OF RELATIONS WITH AFFILIATED INTERESTS)
§ 56-80. Continuing supervisory control over terms and conditions of contracts.
The Commission shall have continuing supervisory control over the terms and conditions of such contracts and arrangements as are herein described so far as necessary to protect and promote the public interest. The Commission shall have the same jurisdiction over the modification or amendment of contracts or arrangements herein described as it has over such original contracts or arrangements. The fact that the Commission shall have approved entry into any such contract or arrangement shall not preclude disallowance or disapproval of payments made pursuant thereto in the future, if upon actual experience under such contract or arrangement, it appears that the payments provided for, or made, were, or are, unreasonable. Every order of the Commission approving any such contract or arrangement shall be expressly conditioned upon the reserved power of the Commission to revise and amend the terms and conditions thereof, if, when and as necessary to protect and promote the public interest.

1934, p. 745; Michie Code 1942, § 3774f.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 4 (REGULATION OF RELATIONS WITH AFFILIATED INTERESTS)
§ 56-81. Summary order prohibiting treatment of payments as operating expenses, etc.
Whenever the Commission shall find upon investigation (1) that any public service company is giving effect to any contract or arrangement of the character described in § 56-77, entered into after March 29, 1934, when such contract or arrangement shall not have been filed with the Commission as required by this chapter, or (2) that any public service company is making payment to an affiliated interest, although such payments have been disallowed and disapproved by the Commission under this chapter or in a proceeding involving the public service company's rates or practices, the Commission may, in the former case, and shall, in the latter case, issue a summary order prohibiting the public service company from treating any payments made under the terms of such contract or arrangement or any payments so disallowed and disapproved as operating expenses or as capital expenditures for rate or valuation purposes, unless and until such payments shall have received the approval of the Commission.

1934, p. 745; Michie Code 1942, §§ 3774g, 3774h.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 4 (REGULATION OF RELATIONS WITH AFFILIATED INTERESTS)
§ 56-82. Approval of loans to affiliates, etc.
No public service company shall henceforth make, extend or renew any loan of money to any affiliated interest or assume, extend or renew any obligation or liability whatsoever of any affiliated interest, whether as guarantor, endorser, surety or otherwise, unless the Commission shall first have approved such loan or assumption, or the extension or renewal of such loan, obligation, or liability, as being not inconsistent with the public interest, and then only upon such terms and conditions as may be set forth in the order of the Commission approving such transaction. The Commission shall, after the filing of such a loan, obligation, or liability, approve or disapprove the loan, obligation, or liability within sixty days. The sixty-day period may be extended by Commission order for an additional period not to exceed thirty days. The loan, obligation, or liability shall be deemed approved if the Commission fails to act within sixty days or any extended period ordered by the Commission. This section shall not be construed so as to invalidate or impair any such loan, obligation, or liability lawfully made, extended or renewed, or assumed, extended or renewed, and entered into prior to March 29, 1934.

1934, p. 745; 1938, p. 21; Michie Code 1942, § 3774i; 1998, c. 707.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 4 (REGULATION OF RELATIONS WITH AFFILIATED INTERESTS)
§ 56-83. Summary order prohibiting payment of dividends to affiliates.
The Commission may, of its own motion, whenever facts of record in any department of the Commission or within its knowledge appear to justify it in so doing, or upon complaint by the Commonwealth, and after reasonable notice, and opportunity to be heard, and upon hearing and consideration, either formal or informal, issue a summary order prohibiting any public service company from declaring or paying any dividend on any common or equity stock in any case in which such dividend or any part thereof would be payable to an affiliated interest as defined in § 56-76, and such summary order may, in case of emergency, be issued under like circumstances as preliminary injunctions are issued by the courts of equity of this Commonwealth, and in either case such summary order so issued may thereafter be made permanent, or be modified, or be vacated, after such investigation and hearing as may be proper to satisfy the requirements of due process of law. The jurisdiction of the Commission under this section shall be based upon considerations of public interest, and the summary order herein provided for shall be issued only upon a finding that the declaration or payment of any dividends is, as a matter of fact, inconsistent with the public interest on account of the probability of disabling the public service company from continuing to perform adequately its public duties, or that there is a purpose on the part of such affiliated interest to gain unjust advantage or profit to the probable detriment of the public service company, bondholders, other classes of stockholders, or any others having rights in the premises.

1938, p. 21; Michie Code 1942, § 3774i1.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 4 (REGULATION OF RELATIONS WITH AFFILIATED INTERESTS)
§ 56-84. Application or petition by public service company and affiliates; hearing; action of Commission; conditions imposed on foreign corporations.
In every case wherein the approval of the Commission is required of any contract, arrangement, loan, extension or renewal thereof, assumption of obligation or liability, renewal or extension thereof, or any transaction or act, an application or petition, duly executed and verified by any such public service company and by each and every corporation, partnership, association or person constituting an affiliated interest, who are parties to such transaction or act, shall be presented to and filed with the Commission which, upon hearing, either formal or informal, as may be determined by the Commission, may, in addition to passing upon the propriety of the proposed transaction or act subject to approval under this chapter, pass upon all questions of jurisdiction of the Commission and upon whether any party is, as a matter of fact and law, an affiliated interest. And in any such proceeding the Commission may require, as a condition precedent to an approval or action upon the proposed transaction or act, any other corporation, partnership, association or person which it appears to the Commission, prima facie, is or might be an affiliated interest, to join, or to be joined, as a party to the proceeding. And the Commission may, in its discretion, impose any condition as to obtaining a license to transact business in Virginia on the part of any foreign corporation which it appears would contravene any provision of Article 17 (§ 13.1-757 et seq.) of Chapter 9 of Title 13.1 by the performance of the proposed transaction or act or may require any such foreign corporation to submit to the jurisdiction of the Commission under § 13.1-759 or otherwise for a determination of such question, whenever the public interest and the due enforcement of this chapter and of other laws under the jurisdiction of the Commission appear to require such course.

1938, p. 22; Michie Code 1942, § 3774i2.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 4 (REGULATION OF RELATIONS WITH AFFILIATED INTERESTS)
§ 56-85. Offenses.
Every public service company (1) entering into, participating in or acting under any contract or arrangement, required by this chapter to be approved by the Commission, before obtaining such approval, or (2) making any loan, extension or renewal thereof, or assuming any obligation or liability, or extension or renewal of any such obligation or liability, required by this chapter to be approved by the Commission, before obtaining such approval, or (3) making any declaration or payment of any dividends after entry of a summary order, either temporary or permanent, prohibiting such declaration or payment in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, or (4) otherwise violating any provision of this chapter, or of any valid order of the Commission entered in pursuance thereof, shall be subject to a fine, to be imposed in a proceeding before the Commission instituted for the purpose of determining whether there is any liability hereunder, of not less than $10 and not in excess of $500, together with the costs of the proceeding as adjudged by the Commission and as taxed by the clerk of the Commission according to law; and every day of any such violation which, in its nature, is continuing, may be deemed a separate offense.

Every public service company and every affiliated interest participating in any contract, arrangement, loan, or assumption, declaration or payment of dividends, or doing any other act, in violation of this chapter, or in violation of any valid order of the Commission hereunder, and every officer, director, or employee of any such public service company or of any such affiliated interest, knowingly authorizing, directing, aiding in or executing or causing to be executed, any such contract or arrangement, loan or assumption, declaration or payment of dividends, in violation of this chapter, or in violation of any valid order of the Commission hereunder, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and such liability for a misdemeanor shall be in addition and cumulative to any liability for the imposition of a fine or penalty as hereinbefore provided in this section.

1938, p. 22; Michie Code 1942, § 3774i3.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 4 (REGULATION OF RELATIONS WITH AFFILIATED INTERESTS)
§ 56-86. Appeal from decisions of Commission under chapter.
Any public service company or affiliated interest or any other interested corporation, partnership, association or person, or the Commonwealth, deeming any decision or order of the Commission, rendered or entered under the provisions of this chapter, and being final in its general character with respect to any such company, interest, corporation, partnership, association, person, or the Commonwealth, to be in any respect or manner improper, unjust or unreasonable, may appeal the same to the Supreme Court in the same manner and by the same procedure as provided by law for review of any other decision or order of the Commission.

1934, p. 746; 1938, p. 23; Michie Code 1942, § 3774j.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 4 (REGULATION OF RELATIONS WITH AFFILIATED INTERESTS)
§ 56-87. Rules of Commission to carry out chapter.
The Commission is empowered to promulgate such rules and regulations as it may deem necessary or proper to carry out the provisions of this chapter.

1934, p. 746; 1938, p. 23; Michie Code 1942, § 3774k.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 5 (UTILITY TRANSFERS ACT)
§ 56-88. Definitions.
In this chapter the following terms shall have the following meanings:

"Acquire" or "acquisition" includes any purchase or other acquisition, whether by payment, exchange, gift, conveyance, lease, license, merger, consolidation or otherwise.

"Company" means a corporation, a partnership, an association, a joint-stock company, a business trust or an organized group of persons, whether incorporated or not; or any receiver, trustee or other liquidating agent of any of the foregoing in his capacity as such; but not a municipal corporation or county.

"Dispose of" or "disposition" includes any sale or other disposition, whether by payment, exchange, gift, conveyance, lease, license, merger, consolidation or otherwise.

"Public utility" means any company which owns or operates facilities within the Commonwealth for the generation, transmission or distribution of electric energy for sale; for the production, transmission or distribution, otherwise than in enclosed portable containers, of natural or manufactured gas for sale for heat, light or power, but excluding any company described in subdivision (b)(8) or (b)(10) of § 56-265.1; or for the furnishing of sewerage facilities or water.

"Utility assets" means the facilities in place of any public utility or municipality for the production, transmission or distribution of electric energy or natural or manufactured gas, or for the furnishing of sewerage facilities or water.

"Utility security" means any note, draft, debenture, bond, share of stock, certificate, collateral trust certificate, preorganization certificate or subscription, transferable share, investment contract, receiver's or trustee's certificate or any other instrument or interest commonly known as a security which is issued, assumed or guaranteed by any public utility or any company which would be a public utility if the facilities owned or operated by it were within the Commonwealth, or any company substantially engaged in the ownership of any of the aforesaid securities or in supplying management or advice to any of the aforesaid companies; or any certificate of deposit for, voting trust certificate for, certificate of interest or participation in, temporary or interim certificate for, receipt for, guaranty of, assumption of liability on, or warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase or acquire, any of the aforesaid securities.

1940, p. 425; Michie Code 1942, § 3774l; 1992, c. 376; 2000, cc. 528, 543; 2009, c. 746.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 5 (UTILITY TRANSFERS ACT)
§ 56-88.1. Acquisition or disposition of control of a public utility.
A. No person, whether acting alone or in concert with others, shall, directly or indirectly, acquire or dispose of control of:

1. A public utility within the meaning of this chapter, or all of the assets thereof, without the prior approval of the Commission. Any person proposing an acquisition or disposition for which Commission approval is required by this section shall seek such approval pursuant to the procedure of § 56-90; or

2. A telephone company, or all of the assets thereof, without the prior approval of the Commission. In determining whether to grant approval, the Commission shall consider only the financial, managerial, and technical resources to render local exchange telecommunications services of the person acquiring control of or all of the assets of the telephone company.

The Commission shall, after the filing of a completed application, approve or disapprove the requested acquisition or disposition within 60 days. The 60-day period may be extended by Commission order for a period not to exceed an additional 120 days. The application shall be deemed approved if the Commission fails to act within 60 days or any extended period ordered by the Commission.

B. Any such acquisition or disposition of control without prior approval shall be voidable by the Commission. In addition, the Commission is authorized to revoke any certificate of public convenience and necessity it has issued, order compliance with this chapter, or take such other action as may be appropriate within the authority of the Commission.

C. For purposes of this section, "control" means (i) the acquisition of 25 percent or more of the voting stock or (ii) the actual exercise of any substantial influence over the policies and actions of any public utility or telephone company.

D. This section shall not apply to any company engaged in the business of generating electricity whose rates and services are not regulated by the State Corporation Commission.

1992, c. 376; 2011, cc. 738, 740.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 5 (UTILITY TRANSFERS ACT)
§ 56-89. Acquisition or disposition of utility assets or utility securities.
It shall be unlawful for any public utility, directly or indirectly, to acquire or dispose of any utility assets situated within the Commonwealth or any utility securities of any other company unless such acquisition or disposition shall have been authorized by the Commission. If and when so authorized by the Commission, any public utility may acquire or dispose of any such utility assets or utility securities; but no such authorization by the Commission shall confer upon any county or municipality authority, other than that otherwise conferred by law, to acquire or to dispose of any utility assets or utility securities.

1940, p. 426; Michie Code 1942, § 3774m.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 5 (UTILITY TRANSFERS ACT)
§ 56-90. Procedure for authority to acquire or dispose of utility assets or securities.
Application for authority to acquire or dispose of utility assets or utility securities under § 56-89 shall be by petition to the Commission. The petition may be joint or several. It shall be signed and verified by the president or any vice-president and the secretary or any assistant secretary of the petitioner. The petition shall clearly summarize the object in view, the proposed procedure and the terms and conditions thereof. Upon the filing of the petition, if the Commission shall deem a hearing necessary, the Commission shall assign the matter for prompt hearing. If and when the Commission, with or without hearing, shall be satisfied that adequate service to the public at just and reasonable rates will not be impaired or jeopardized by granting the prayer of the petition, the Commission shall make such order in the premises as it may deem proper and the circumstances require, and thereupon it shall be lawful to do the things provided for in such order, subject, however, to the exception contained in § 56-89 as to counties and municipalities.

1940, p. 426; Michie Code 1942, § 3774o.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 5 (UTILITY TRANSFERS ACT)
§ 56-90.1. Sale of utility assets or undivided fractional interest therein; taxation.
If the Commission shall have granted a petition filed pursuant to § 56-90 in which a public utility has applied for authority to sell utility assets or associated properties situated within the Commonwealth, or an undivided fractional interest therein, to (i) an association of one or more electric cooperatives or electric membership corporations that are wholesale customers of the electric public utility, (ii) an association of one or more cities or incorporated towns that are wholesale customers of the electric utility, (iii) any combination of such associations, or (iv) another public utility then, notwithstanding any other provisions of law:

(1) A waiver made by any such electric public utility, association of cooperatives, cities or towns of any right it may have to compel partition, whether pursuant to the provisions of Article 9 (§ 8.01-81 et seq.) of Chapter 3 of Title 8.01, or otherwise, shall be effective and enforceable against (i) such public utility, association of cooperatives, cities or towns, and their successors and assigns, and (ii) all creditors of such public utility, association of cooperatives, cities and towns, their successors and assigns, who have notice of record of such waiver, so long as the waiver shall be limited so as not to exceed ninety-nine years;

(2) No state recording tax shall be payable upon the admission to record of any deed, deed of trust, mortgage, bill of sale, contract, agreement or other writing supplemental to any such instrument which conveys or reconveys such utility assets or properties, or an undivided fractional interest therein or secures any bonds or other obligations of such association of cooperatives, cities or towns or combination thereof; provided, however, that any local recording taxes shall be payable as though the state recording taxes had been collected;

(3) No state franchise tax or local license tax shall be payable on the proceeds of any such sale of utility assets or properties, or an undivided fractional interest therein; and

(4) Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the joint owners the joint ownership of such utility assets or properties as approved by the Commission shall not constitute a partnership or joint venture among the owners.

1979, c. 238; 1980, c. 703.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 5 (UTILITY TRANSFERS ACT)
§ 56-91. Violations of chapter.
Any company violating any provision of § 56-89 shall upon conviction be fined not more than $1,000.

1940, p. 426; Michie Code 1942, § 3774n.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 5 (UTILITY TRANSFERS ACT)
§ 56-92. Short title.
This chapter may be cited as the Utility Transfers Act.

1940, p. 426; Michie Code 1942, § 3774q.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 6 (TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES GENERALLY)
§ 56-100. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 1970, c. 618.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 6 (TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES GENERALLY)
§ 56-100.1. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 1996, cc. 114 and 157.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 6 (TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES GENERALLY)
§ 56-102. Unlawful to charge other than published tariff.
When rates, fares, and charges excluding those covered by contracts have been published in a tariff, it shall be unlawful for any such company to charge, demand, collect, or receive from any person a greater or less compensation for the transportation of passengers or property, or for any services in connection therewith, than is specified in such published schedule of rates, fares, and charges, unless it is determined that a rate, fare or charge has been recorded in error.

Code 1919, § 3910; 1979, c. 106; 1996, cc. 114, 157.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 6 (TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES GENERALLY)
§ 56-102.1. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 1996, cc. 114 and 157.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 6 (TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES GENERALLY)
§ 56-111. When railroads may operate by motor vehicle or aircraft.
Any railroad doing business in this Commonwealth may acquire, own and operate motor vehicles for the purpose of transporting persons or property over the public highways as a common carrier by motor vehicle as that term is defined by § 46.2-2000, subject to the laws of Virginia governing the operations and regulation of common carriers by motor vehicle and all lawful regulations of the Commonwealth made pursuant thereto and applying to other motor vehicles or other common carriers by motor vehicle, including the laws requiring the payment of registration and license fees and other taxes by common carriers by motor vehicle, when lawfully authorized in accordance with the provisions of such laws and regulations.

Any such railroad may also acquire, own and operate equipment for and engage in air transportation, subject to the provisions of the law regulating air transportation.

1938, p. 1000; Michie Code 1942, § 3857a; 1944, p. 537; 1996, cc. 114, 157.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 6 (TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES GENERALLY)
§ 56-112. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 1996, cc. 114 and 157.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 6 (TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES GENERALLY)
§ 56-117. Company to notify consignee of arrival of freight.
It shall be the duty of every railroad company, or carrier, upon the arrival of freight shipped to any of its depots or stations, to notify the consignee by mail, electronic data transfer, or otherwise when such freight is ready for delivery, and to give a reasonable time for the removal of the same, making due allowance for its class and bad weather and holidays.

Code 1919, § 3916; 1996, cc. 114, 157.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 6 (TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES GENERALLY)
§ 56-118. Freight bill; what to contain.
Every railroad company or line, doing business in this Commonwealth, shall, at the time when such company delivers any articles shipped or transported over its line, furnish to the owner or consignee thereof, or to his agent, a bill, plainly stating the class of freight to which the articles belong, the weight thereof, and the rate charged for transporting the same. Bills may be furnished by mail or contemporaneous electronic transmission.

Code 1919, § 3917; 1996, cc. 114, 157.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 6 (TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES GENERALLY)
§ 56-119. Contracts, etc., limiting liability invalid.
No contract, receipt, rule, or regulation shall exempt any transportation company from the liability of a common carrier which would exist had no contract been made or entered into and no such contract, receipt, rule, or regulation for exemption from liability for injury or loss occasioned by the neglect or misconduct of such transportation company as a common carrier shall be valid. The liability referred to in this section shall mean the liability imposed by law upon a common carrier for any loss, damage, or injury to freight or passengers in its custody and care as a common carrier.

Code 1919, §§ 3926, 3930; 1979, c. 477.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 6 (TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES GENERALLY)
§ 56-120. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 1964, c. 219.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 6 (TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES GENERALLY)
§ 56-122. When railroad, steamship, etc., companies not liable as a common carrier.
Whenever any corporation, company, or association not incorporated by or formed in the Commonwealth, or any person or partnership not a resident thereof, shall obtain from a railroad, steamship, or steamboat company the right or privilege of carrying articles upon the trains, steamships, or steamboats of such railroad, steamship, or steamboat company, such railroad, steamship, or steamboat company shall not in any manner be liable as a common carrier for any article thereafter delivered to such corporation, company, association, person, or partnership for carriage as aforesaid.

Code 1919, § 4031; 2014, c. 192.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 6 (TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES GENERALLY)
§ 56-123. Adjustment of claims against carriers.
Every claim against a common carrier doing business in the Commonwealth for loss or damage to property while in its possession, and every claim for storage, demurrage and car service against such carrier under the rules and regulations prescribed by the State Corporation Commission, shall be adjusted and paid within 60 days in case of shipments wholly within the Commonwealth, and within 90 days in case of interstate shipment, and within 60 days in case of claims for demurrage or car service after the filing of such claim with the agent of such carrier at the point of destination of such shipment or with the claims department of such common carrier. No such claims shall be filed until after the arrival of shipment or some part thereof at the point of destination or until after the lapse of a reasonable time for the arrival thereof, when such claim is for loss or damage to freight. In every case such carrier shall be liable for the amount of such loss or damage to freight, or such penalty as is prescribed for failure to comply with the rules and regulations of the Commission, relating to storage, demurrage, and car service, 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 herein respectively prescribed shall subject such common carrier so failing to a penalty of $25 for each and every such failure, to be recovered by such claimant so aggrieved in the same action or proceedings in any court having jurisdiction in the Commonwealth; provided, that unless such claimant recover in such action the full amount claimed by him no penalty shall be recovered, but only the actual amount of the loss or damage to freight, or amount due for storage, demurrage or car service, with interest as aforesaid; and, provided further, that if in such action or proceedings such claim shall be found to be fraudulent the claimant shall pay to the carrier a penalty of $25, to be recovered along with the costs. If after such periods above prescribed, the carrier shall voluntarily pay the full amount so claimed, then such penalty alone may be recovered as aforesaid by the claimant.

1918, p. 467; 1922, p. 420; Michie Code 1942, § 3928a; 2005, c. 839.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 6 (TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES GENERALLY)
§ 56-124. Procedure in action on such claims.
In any action which may be instituted pursuant to § 56-123 before a general district court for an amount not exceeding $300, either party at or before the return day of the warrant may, in lieu of or in addition to giving evidence at the hearing, file an affidavit relating to the subject matter and in such case the other party to such action shall have a right to a continuance for a reasonable time; provided, that any party to such action may give reasonable notice to the party filing such affidavit and take the deposition of the affiant, at such time and place as the court may prescribe, the taking of such deposition to be governed by the rules of law in force regarding the cross-examination of witnesses. Such affidavits and depositions shall be read with the same force and effect as if taken in the form of a deposition after due notice to the other party. In the event of appeal of any such action such affidavits and depositions shall be read in the appellate court with the same force and effect as before the general district court.

1918, p. 467; 1922, p. 421; Michie Code 1942, § 3928b; 2005, c. 839.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 6 (TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES GENERALLY)
§ 56-125. Suits against unincorporated carriers.
When transportation lines are owned or operated by persons, partnerships, or associations, not incorporated, any one or more of them may be sued by his or their name or names only, and such suit shall not abate for want of joining any of the copartners or coproprietors.

Code 1919, § 3931.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 6 (TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES GENERALLY)
§ 56-126. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 1964, c. 219.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 6 (TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES GENERALLY)
§ 56-128. Commission's examination of all transportation companies, etc.
The Commission may examine all the railroads and other transportation companies, and the works and equipment thereof so that it may keep itself informed as to their physical condition, the manner in which they are operating with reference to the security and accommodation of the public, and whether they are in compliance with the provisions of their charters and the laws of the Commonwealth. The provisions of this section shall apply to all railroads and other transportation companies, and to the corporations, trustees, receivers, or other person owning or operating the same.

Code 1919, § 3718; 1987, c. 185.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 6 (TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES GENERALLY)
§ 56-129. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 1996, cc. 114 and 157.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 6 (TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES GENERALLY)
§ 56-129.1. Participation in the Federal Railroad Administration Safety and Inspection Program.
The State Corporation Commission shall have the authority to participate in carrying out safety inspection activities in connection with any rule, regulation, order, or standard prescribed by the Secretary of Transportation of the United States under the authority of the Federal Railroad Safety Act (49 U.S.C. § 20101 et seq.) as delegated to the Commonwealth by the Federal Railroad Administration, provided that the Commission shall comply with all the requirements imposed by the United States Code. The Commission shall employ such expert, professional or other assistance as is necessary to carry out the activities authorized by this section. Safety inspectors shall attain the Federal Railroad Administration qualifications necessary to qualify the Commonwealth for federal funds. A maximum of $200,000 paid to the State Corporation Commission under §§ 58.1-2660 through 58.1-2662 shall be allocated to this program.

The Commission shall have the authority to adopt such rules in conformance with the Federal Railroad Safety Act that are necessary for the promulgation of railroad safety within the Commonwealth.

1981, c. 363; 1987, c. 145; 1996, cc. 114, 157.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 6 (TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES GENERALLY)
§ 56-130. Penalty for failure to make necessary repairs, etc.
If any railroad, or other railroad company, when directed by a valid order of the Commission, refuses or fails to comply with any requirement imposed pursuant to § 56-129.1, such company shall, in the discretion of the Commission, be fined in accordance with federal guidelines.

Code 1919, § 3932; 1996, cc. 114, 157.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 6 (TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES GENERALLY)
§ 56-131. Accident Investigation and Reporting.
The Commission shall investigate the cause of any accident on any railroad which, in its judgment, requires investigation. The Commission shall require every common carrier by railroad doing business in this Commonwealth to file all reports required by the Federal Railroad Administration pursuant to the Federal Accidents Reports Act and regulations issued pursuant thereto to the Commission at its office in Richmond, Virginia, provided that neither such report nor any part thereof shall be admitted as evidence in any suit or action for damages growing out of any matter mentioned in such report.

Code 1919, § 3737; 1996, cc. 114, 157.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 6 (TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES GENERALLY)
§ 56-132. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 1996, cc. 114 and 157.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 6 (TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES GENERALLY)
§ 56-133. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 1956, c. 492.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 6 (TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES GENERALLY)
§ 56-136. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 1979, c. 405.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 6 (TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES GENERALLY)
§ 56-139. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 1996, cc. 114 and 157.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 6 (TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES GENERALLY)
§ 56-140. Penalty for violation of chapter, orders, rules or regulations.
Any transportation company which violates any of the provisions of this chapter, or refuses to conform to or obey any lawful rule, order, or regulation of the Commission relating to the provisions of this chapter, may, when not otherwise provided in this chapter, be fined by the Commission, in its discretion, in a sum not exceeding $500 for each offense, and each day such company continues to violate any provision of this chapter, or continues to refuse to obey or perform any lawful rule, order, or regulation prescribed by the Commission, shall be a separate offense.

Code 1919, § 3925.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 6 (TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES GENERALLY)
§ 56-141. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 1994, c. 314.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 6 (TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES GENERALLY)
§ 56-93. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 1996, cc. 114 and 157.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 6 (TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES GENERALLY)
§ 56-99.2. Commission authority over rates, rules, classifications and practices of railroad companies.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the State Corporation Commission shall have the authority to administer and prescribe the rates, rules, classifications and practices of railroad companies exclusively in accordance with the provisions of Subtitle IV of Title 49 of the United States Code, as amended by the Staggers Rail Act of 1980, Public Law 96-448. The Commission shall also have the authority to establish, by rule or regulation, standards and procedures to administer the rates, rules, classifications and practices of railroad companies exclusively in accordance with federal law.

1983, c. 443.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 7 (AIR CARRIERS [Repealed])
§ 56-142. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 1970, c. 708.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 8 (CANAL COMPANIES [Repealed])
§ 56-207. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 1981, c. 177.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 9 (DISTRIBUTION AND POWER SUPPLY COOPERATIVES [Repealed])
§ 56-209. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 1999, c. 874.