dcrodriguez/Code-of-Virginia huggingface dataset:
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15 (TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES)
§ 56-466. Location of posts, poles, cables and conduits; height of wires, etc.
All posts, poles, wires, cables and conduits which shall be erected by any authority in the preceding sections of this chapter conferred shall be so located as in no way to obstruct or interfere with public travel or the ordinary use of, or the safety and convenience of persons traveling through, on, or over, the public parks, roads, turnpikes, streets, avenues, alleys, railroads, or waters in or upon which the same may be erected, and all wires fastened upon posts or poles erected as aforesaid shall be placed at a height of not less than eighteen feet above all road crossings, and twenty-three feet above railroad crossings, and no conduits shall be laid nor posts or poles erected upon the soil or property of any person without first obtaining the consent of the owner thereof, nor shall any such wires or cables be strung across the soil, property, or premises of any person, or attached to or connected with any shade or ornamental tree, or any private building, without the consent of the owner thereof.

Such poles, wires, cables and conduits shall not in anywise damage private property without compensation therefor, nor in any way obstruct the navigation of any stream, or impair or endanger the use thereof by the public, or by any person or corporation entitled to the use of the same. Such conduits shall be laid at such distance below the surface of any public park, road, turnpike, street, avenue, or alley, and at such distance from the outside of any gas or water main or other conduit already laid under such public park, road, turnpike, street, avenue, or alley, as may be prescribed by the proper municipal, county, or state authorities.

Code 1919, §§ 4035, 4038; 1926, pp. 908, 909; 1976, c. 268.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15 (TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES)
§ 56-467. Restoring condition of ground.
The portions of the surface of the parks, roads, turnpikes, streets, avenues, or alleys, or of any pavements opened up or disturbed in erecting, repairing, laying or replacing poles, wires, or cables, or in repairing conduits under the provisions of this chapter shall be immediately restored to and maintained in good condition by the company doing such work; and in case of the failure of such company to restore and maintain the same, the corporate authorities of the city or town, or the board of supervisors or other governing authority of the county, or the chairman of the Commonwealth Transportation Board, as the case may be, may properly restore and maintain the same, and the costs thereof may be recovered by the city or town, or county, or Commonwealth, from such company, in any court of competent jurisdiction.

Code 1919, § 4037; 1926, p. 908.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15 (TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES)
§ 56-468. Endangering life or limb by stringing wires across other works.
Whoever shall hereafter erect, string, or maintain wires for any telephone or telegraph lines, over or across the works, in this Commonwealth, of any company chartered as a work of internal improvement in any manner so as to endanger the lives or limbs of the employees of such company, or other person, shall, for each offense, be fined not less than $100 nor more than $500.

Code 1919, § 4049.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15 (TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES)
§ 56-468.2. Reimbursement for relocation costs.
A. After July 1, 1998, certificated providers of telecommunications services shall receive reimbursement for eligible relocation costs incurred at the direction of a locality that imposes by ordinance the Public Rights-of-Way Use Fee or the Department of Transportation for new installations as defined in § 56-468.1 in any public rights-of-way in accordance with §§ 56-458 and 56-462 on the basis of age and according to the following schedule. Such reimbursement shall be received from either (i) the locality that granted the permit or franchise to use such right-of-way or (ii) the Commonwealth Transportation Board if the road or street is in the primary or secondary state highway system:

1. For the first three years after the completion of the installation, the certificated provider of telecommunications service shall be reimbursed 100 percent of the eligible cost for the relocation of facilities installed in the public rights-of-way.

2. For the fourth through sixth year after the completion of the installation, the certificated provider of telecommunications service shall be reimbursed 50 percent of the eligible cost for the relocation of facilities installed in the public rights-of-way.

3. Beginning in the seventh year, the certificated provider of telecommunications service shall be responsible for the cost of relocating facilities installed in the public rights-of-way.

Such reimbursement shall be received from either (i) the locality that granted the permit or franchise to use such right-of-way or (ii) the Commonwealth Transportation Board if the road or street is in the primary or secondary state highway system.

B. The amount of relocation reimbursement in any fiscal year to be reimbursed under this section shall not exceed the amount of Public Rights-of-Way Use Fees received by that locality either directly or through its secondary highway fund apportionment in the preceding fiscal year. For facilities relocated in 1998 and 1999 at the direction of the locality or the Commonwealth Transportation Board, this limit on relocation reimbursement shall be the estimated annualized fees to be collected in that locality in 1998 for 1998 relocations and in 1999 for 1999 relocations. If the relocation reimbursement limit will be exhausted on a relocation project where two or more certificated providers of telecommunications service are eligible for relocation reimbursement, then the moneys available under the cap shall be shared by those eligible providers by prorating the reimbursement based on the reimbursement to which each provider would be entitled absent the limit.

1998, cc. 742, 758; 2015, c. 256.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15 (TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES)
§ 56-469. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 2011, cc. 738 and 740, cl. 2.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15 (TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES)
§ 56-478. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 1973, c. 376.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15 (TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES)
§ 56-478.1. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 2011, cc. 738 and 740, cl. 2.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15 (TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES)
§ 56-479. Commission to make rules; require connection between companies; inspect lines and buildings.
The Commission shall keep itself fully informed of the condition of all the telephone companies of this Commonwealth as to the manner in which they are operated with reference to the accommodation of the public and shall, from time to time, make and enforce such requirements, rules and regulations as in its judgment will promote the efficiency of the service to be rendered, and to that end may require physical connection to be made between two or more lines at such place and in such manner as in its judgment the public service requires, having due regard to the interest of the companies to be affected thereby, as well as the effect upon their ability to render the best service to the public. The Commission may inspect and regulate the character of lines, buildings and other equipment used in the reception and transmission of messages, and may prohibit the paralleling of the lines of one company by those of another if in its judgment the efficiency of the service by either company or the public convenience will be injuriously affected.

Code 1919, § 4055.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15 (TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES)
§ 56-479.1. Long distance service; change of carriers; prior authorization.
No telephone company shall cause the long distance carrier designation of any telephone customer to be changed following such customer's initial selection thereof when establishing or reestablishing telephone service, without having first received a statement from the long distance carrier that such carrier has received a letter of agency or letter of authorization or an electronic authorization by use of an 800 number or an oral authorization verified by an independent third party, or any other means of authorization that is approved by the Federal Communications Commission.

1996, c. 476.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15 (TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES)
§ 56-479.2. Anti-competitive acts; injunctive relief.
A. No telecommunications service provider shall engage in anti-competitive acts or practices in connection with its provision of telecommunications services including price discrimination, predatory pricing or tying arrangements, as such terms are commonly applied in antitrust law.

B. Any telecommunications service provider injured or threatened with injury by a violation of any of the provisions of this section or § 15.2-2160 may maintain a cause of action for injunctive relief, damages, or both, and for reasonable costs and attorney's fees before the circuit court for the locality in which the injury occurs.

2002, cc. 479, 489.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15 (TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES)
§ 56-479.3. Authorization and verification for products, goods, and services to be billed on a telephone bill.
A. As used in this section, unless the context requires otherwise:

"Billing agent" means any entity that submits charges for products, goods, or services to the billing carrier on behalf of itself or any service provider.

"Billing carrier" means any telephone company that issues a telephone bill directly to customers.

"Service provider" means any entity that offers products, goods, and services to a customer and that directly or indirectly charges to or collects from a customer's bill received from a billing carrier an amount for such products, goods, or services.

B. This section does not apply to (i) products, goods, or services offered by or bundled with the services of a telephone company or its affiliates; (ii) telephone calls that are customer initiated by dialing 1+, 0+, 0-, or 1010XXX or that a customer accepts as collect; or (iii) commercial mobile radio services.

C. No service provider or billing agent shall willfully (i) add products, goods, or services not authorized by any customer or (ii) charge or attempt to collect charges from any customer for any such products, goods, or services without the customer's authorization. A customer is not liable for an amount charged through a billing carrier by a service provider or a billing agent without the authorization of the customer.

D. A service provider or billing agent shall obtain verification of a customer's authorization before submitting charges for products, goods, or services directly or indirectly to the billing carrier. The verification may be in written, oral, or electronic form and shall be verified by an independent third party. The service provider shall retain the verification for a minimum of two years.

E. A billing carrier shall not enter into an agreement to bill for any charges for products, goods, or services for a service provider or billing agent unless that agreement requires the service provider or billing agent to comply with subsection D.

2010, c. 322.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15 (TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES)
§ 56-479.4. Designation of eligible telecommunications carrier for purposes of providing Lifeline service.
The Commission may designate any commercial mobile radio or cellular telephone service provider as an eligible telecommunications carrier for purposes of providing Lifeline service, in addition to any commercial mobile radio or cellular telephone service providers designated as such pursuant to 47 U.S.C. §§ 214(e) and (e)(2), without requiring any such provider to obtain a certificate pursuant to the provisions of § 56-265.4:4. The Commission is authorized to promulgate all rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this section.

2022, c. 436.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15 (TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES)
§ 56-480. Rates, etc., on file with Commission not to be questioned in courts; revision; proof.
The reasonableness, justice and validity of any rate, charge, rule, regulation or requirement on file with the Commission for any telephone company shall not be questioned in any suit brought by any person in the courts of this Commonwealth against any such telephone company, wherein is involved the charges of such company for the transmission of messages, or the efficiency of the public service and in all the courts of this Commonwealth they shall be conclusively presumed to be reasonable, just and valid.

All such schedules, rules, regulations and requirements shall be received and held in all such suits as prima facie the schedules, rules, regulations and requirements of the Commission without further proof than the production of the schedules desired to be used as evidence, with a certificate of the clerk of the Commission that the same is a true copy of the schedule, rule, regulation or requirement on file with the Commission and so offered in evidence.

Code 1919, § 4056; 1973, c. 378.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15 (TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES)
§ 56-480.1. Time limit on institution of approved rates.
No telephone company shall institute a rate for service contained within the official tariff of the company more than three years from the date such rate is approved by the State Corporation Commission.

1975, c. 550.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15 (TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES)
§ 56-480.2. Operator assistance at pay stations.
No telephone company shall require the deposit of money in any pay station as a prerequisite to reaching the operator from such station.

1979, c. 71.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15 (TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES)
§ 56-481. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 2011, cc. 738 and 740, cl. 2.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15 (TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES)
§ 56-481.1. Rates, charges, and regulations for interexchange telephone service.
If under Chapter 10.1 (§ 56-265.1 et seq.) a certificate of public convenience and necessity is issued to a telephone company to provide interexchange service, the Commission may, if it determines that such service will be provided on a competitive basis, approve rates, charges, and regulations as it may deem appropriate for the telephone company furnishing the competitive service, provided such rates, charges, and regulations are nondiscriminatory and in the public interest. In making such determination, the Commission may consider (i) the number of companies providing the service; (ii) the geographic availability of the service from other companies; (iii) the quality of service available from other companies; and (iv) any other factors the Commission considers relevant to the public interest. The Commission is authorized to promulgate any rules necessary to implement this provision; provided that any such rules so promulgated shall be uniformly applicable to all telephone companies that are subject to the provisions of this section. The Commission shall permit the detariffing of interexchange service.

1984, c. 721; 2011, cc. 738, 740.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15 (TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES)
§ 56-481.2. Rates, charges and regulations for local exchange telephone services provided by new entrants.
If, under subsection B of § 56-265.4:4, a certificate of public convenience and necessity is issued to a new entrant to provide local exchange telephone service, the Commission shall at the same time adopt a form of regulation for the new entrant's local exchange services and, upon application pursuant to § 56-235.5, for the incumbent local exchange telephone company, that does not regulate the earnings of either. In approving the form of regulation of the new entrant's local exchange services, the Commission shall do so in a manner that is equitable to the new entrant and the incumbent local exchange telephone company and in the public interest. In determining the appropriate form of regulation for the new entrant, the Commission shall: (i) consider whether the form of regulation reasonably protects the affordability of basic local exchange telephone service, as such service is defined by the Commission, and reasonably assures the continuation of quality local exchange telephone service; and (ii) find that such action will not unreasonably prejudice or disadvantage any class of telephone company customers or telephone service providers, including the new entrant and incumbent local exchange telephone company, and is in the public interest. In approving the appropriate form of regulation for the new entrant, the Commission may take such action as it deems appropriate in the public interest, with due consideration being given to the competitiveness of the services, including deregulation and detariffing the services. Nothing in this section shall be construed to deprive the Commission of its power to modify the form of regulation, after notice and an opportunity for hearing, if it finds that competition or the potential for competition no longer effectively regulates the price of a service. Except as provided for in this section and in subsection B of § 56-265.4:4, no other provision of law relating to the regulation of rates, charges, and regulation of local exchange telephone services shall apply to the provision of such services by new entrants.

1995, cc. 22, 35, 187; 2001, c. 75.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15 (TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES)
§ 56-482. Agreements between telephone companies to be submitted to Commission.
Upon demand of either party thereto or any person affected thereby all arrangements and agreements whatever between two or more telephone companies doing business in this Commonwealth, affecting or regulating the division of charges, earnings, or the manner of transmission of messages over their respective lines, or the physical connection between the lines of such companies, shall be submitted to the Commission for inspection insofar as they may affect the efficiency of the public service and the ability of the respective companies to best serve the public and be subject to its approval.

Code 1919, § 4053.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15 (TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES)
§ 56-482.1. Reports required of interexchange telephone companies.
Each interexchange telephone company shall provide to the Commission in a timely manner any report or information concerning its usage of local exchange telephone services and facilities required under the effective access charge tariffs or schedules of a local exchange telephone company. The Commission shall prescribe rules and regulations to effectuate the purpose of this section. The requirement to provide any reports pursuant to such rules and regulations, other than reports required by the Commission to calculate the special revenue tax imposed under § 58.1-2660, shall expire on December 31 of each year unless extended by an order of the Commission issued after notice and an opportunity for a hearing.

1984, c. 721; 2011, cc. 738, 740.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15 (TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES)
§ 56-482.2. Penalties.
Any interexchange company which willfully and knowingly fails to provide on time a report required by § 56-482.1 or willfully and knowingly understates the volume or type of use of service or facilities in such report shall be liable to the local exchange telephone company covered by such report. In the case of an unprovided report, the liability shall be two times the amount of the charges for the services and facilities as actually used. In the case of an understated report, the liability shall be for two times the difference between the charges for the services and facilities as actually used and the charges as computed on the basis of an understated report.

1984, c. 721.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15 (TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES)
§ 56-483. Refusal or neglect to make reports; obstructing Commission in discharge of duties; violations in general.
Every officer, agent or employee of any telephone company, who shall willfully neglect or refuse to make and furnish any report lawfully required by the Commission for the purposes of this chapter or who shall willfully or unlawfully delay or obstruct the Commission in the discharge of the duties imposed upon it by the Constitution or laws of this Commonwealth, or the rules, regulations and requirements of the Commission, connected with the objects and purposes of this chapter, shall be fined not exceeding $500 for each offense; and any telephone company which violates any of the provisions of this chapter or refuses to conform to or obey any lawful rule, order, regulation, or requirement of the Commission relating to the provisions of this chapter may, when not otherwise provided by law, be fined by the Commission in its discretion, in a sum not exceeding $10,000 for each offense and each day such company or corporation continues to violate any lawful rule, order or regulation prescribed by the Commission shall be a separate offense. Such penalty shall be imposed and enforced upon like proceedings and in like manner as are those prescribed for the violation of law or the rules and regulations of the Commission by transportation companies.

Code 1919, § 4057; 2000, c. 986.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15 (TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES)
§ 56-484. Foreign companies to obtain license.
Every telephone or telegraph company, not incorporated by the laws of this Commonwealth, shall, as a condition precedent to the enjoyment of any right or privilege granted by this chapter, first obtain from the Commission a license to do business in this Commonwealth, and pay the fees and taxes imposed by law for such license.

Code 1919, § 4036.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15 (TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES)
§ 56-484.1. Definitions.
The following terms, whenever used or referred to in this article, shall have the following meanings, unless a different meaning appears from the context:

A. "Commission" shall mean the State Corporation Commission.

B. "Exchange" shall mean a geographical area established for the administration of communication services and consisting of one or more central offices together with associated facilities used in providing telephone exchange service. Exchanges are identified in the tariffs of the telephone companies as filed with the Commission.

C. "Local service area" shall mean the entire area composed of an exchange or exchanges within which are located the telephones which a customer may call at the rates and charges specified for local exchange service in the tariffs of the telephone companies as filed with the Commission.

1976, c. 265.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15 (TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES)
§ 56-484.12:1. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 2018, cc. 532 and 533, cl. 2.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15 (TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES)
§ 56-484.13. 9-1-1 Services Board; membership; terms; compensation.
A. The E-911 Services Board, formerly the Wireless E-911 Services Board, is hereby continued as the 9-1-1 Services Board. The Board shall exercise the powers and duties conferred in this article.

B. The 9-1-1 Services Board shall:

1. Support and assist PSAPs in the provision of 9-1-1 operations and services, including through provision of funding and development of best practices;

2. Plan, promote, and assist in the statewide development, deployment, and maintenance of an emergency services IP network that will support future 9-1-1 and other public safety applications and technologies; and

3. Consult and coordinate with PSAPs, state and local public bodies in the Commonwealth, public bodies in other states, CMRS providers, VoIP service providers affiliated with cable companies, and other entities as needed in the exercise of the Board's powers and duties.

C. The Board shall consist of 16 members as follows: the Director of the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, who shall serve as chairman of the Board; the Comptroller, who shall serve as the treasurer of the Board; the Chief Information Officer; and the following 13 members to be appointed by the Governor: one member representing the Virginia State Police; one member representing a local exchange carrier providing E-911 service in Virginia; one member representing VoIP service providers affiliated with cable companies and authorized to transact business in Virginia; two members representing wireless service providers authorized to do business in Virginia; three county, city, or town PSAP directors or managers representing diverse regions of Virginia; one Virginia sheriff; one chief of police; one fire chief; one emergency medical services manager; and one finance officer of a county, city, or town.

D. The Commonwealth Interoperability Coordinator shall serve as an advisor to the Board in the exercise of the powers and duties conferred in this article so as to ensure, among other matters, that enhanced wireless emergency telecommunications services and technologies are compliant with the statewide interoperability strategic plan.

E. All members appointed by the Governor shall serve five-year terms. The CIO and the Comptroller shall serve terms coincident with their terms of office. No gubernatorial appointee shall serve more than two consecutive terms.

F. A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum. The Board shall meet at least quarterly or at the call of its chairman.

G. Members of the Board shall serve without compensation; however, members of the Board shall be reimbursed for expenses as provided in §§ 2.2-2813 through 2.2-2826.

H. The Division shall provide staff support to the Board. The Division of Public Safety Communications created in § 44-146.18:5 and the Virginia Department of Transportation shall provide such technical advice as the Board requires.

2000, c. 1064; 2003, cc. 981, 1021; 2006, c. 739; 2009, c. 613; 2011, c. 138; 2012, c. 36; 2016, c. 361; 2020, c. 423.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15 (TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES)
§ 56-484.15. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 2018, cc. 532 and 533, cl. 2.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15 (TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES)
§ 56-484.18. Designation of official State Police access number; blocking caller identification prohibited.
A. Telephone number #77 is hereby designated as an official access number for wireless telephone usage in the Commonwealth for access to designated offices of the Department of State Police and shall be used solely for official business.

B. No caller shall block caller identification or other essential information on calls made to telephone number #77. Where technically feasible, wireline and wireless telephone providers shall provide calling party number identification for all wireless #77 calls. Any communications services provider, as defined in § 58.1-647, including mobile service, in this Commonwealth shall not be liable for any civil damages for any act or omission resulting from rendering such service with or without charge related to #77 calls unless such act or omission was the result of such service provider's gross negligence or willful misconduct.

2000, c. 771; 2006, c. 780.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15 (TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES)
§ 56-484.20. Charges for emergency calls.
The MLTS provider of any multiline telephone system shall maintain and operate the MLTS in such manner that an individual placing an emergency call from a telephone station on the MLTS is not charged for the call.

2007, c. 427.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15 (TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES)
§ 56-484.21. Instructions for emergency calling.
Commencing July 1, 2009, the MLTS provider of any multiline telephone system shall either (i) demonstrate or provide written instructions to each new user of the MLTS how to place an emergency call from a telephone station or (ii) provide written instructions at each telephone station that inform an individual how to place an emergency call from the telephone station. Written instructions provided to a new user or provided at a telephone station shall include the telephone station's street address and such additional information regarding the location of the telephone station that is sufficiently specific to permit an emergency responder with the information to locate the telephone station.

2007, c. 427.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15 (TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES)
§ 56-484.22. Access to PSAPs from telephone stations on MLTS.
Commencing July 1, 2009, the MLTS provider of any multiline telephone system shall maintain and operate the MLTS in such manner that a telephone call made by dialing the digits "9-1-1" and, if applicable, any additional digit or digits that must be dialed in order to permit the user to access the public switched telephone network, from any telephone on the MLTS is routed to a PSAP.

2007, c. 427.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15 (TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES)
§ 56-484.23. Provision of emergency call information.
A. The MLTS provider of any multiline telephone system that is acquired or installed on or after July 1, 2009, commencing on the date of its installation, shall maintain and operate the MLTS in a manner that ensures that each emergency call placed from any telephone station on the MLTS provides either (i) calling party information to the 9-1-1 network that connects to the PSAP or (ii) an alternative method of providing call location information.

B. Notwithstanding the requirements of subsection A, the MLTS provider of any multiline telephone system using portable VoIP services that is acquired or installed on or after July 1, 2009, commencing on the date of its installation, shall make all reasonable efforts to maintain and operate the MLTS in a manner that ensures that each emergency call placed from any telephone station on the MLTS provides either: (i) calling party information to the 9-1-1 network that connects to the PSAP or (ii) an alternative method of providing call location information.

C. The MLTS provider shall arrange to update the automatic location identification database with appropriate master street address guide, valid address and callback information corresponding to the calling party information for each telephone station. Such updates shall be provided as soon as practicable for new MLTS installations or within one business day of record completion of the actual changes for previously installed systems. When an MLTS provider obtains service through a MLTS service provider, the MLTS service provider shall be responsible for meeting this requirement.

2007, c. 427; 2008, c. 853.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15 (TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES)
§ 56-484.24. Liability.
A. An MLTS provider, its employees or agents shall not be liable to any person for damages incurred as a result of any act or omission by it, except gross negligence or intentional, willful or wanton misconduct, in connection with maintaining or operating the MLTS in a manner required by this article.

B. A telecommunications service provider, its employees or agents shall not be liable to any person for damages incurred as the result of the release of information not in the public record, including, but not limited to, unpublished or unlisted telephone numbers, to a PSAP, its employees or agents, or to emergency responders, made in connection with an emergency call.

2007, c. 427.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15 (TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES)
§ 56-484.25. Exemption for certain counties.
Notwithstanding any provision of this article to the contrary, the provisions of §§ 56-484.22 and 56-484.23 shall not apply with respect to any multiline telephone system located in a county that is not served by an enhanced 9-1-1 service system, until the later to occur of (i) 120 days after the date an enhanced 9-1-1 service system for the county commences operating or (ii) July 1, 2009.

2007, c. 427.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15 (TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES)
§ 56-484.3. Powers of Commission not restricted; rules and regulations.
Nothing in this article shall restrict or alter the power of the Commission to change service areas on its own, on petition of any telephone company, or on petition of any subscriber. The Commission shall promulgate all rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this chapter.

1976, c. 265.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15 (TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES)
§ 56-484.4. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 2006, c. 780, cl. 2, effective January 1, 2007. For expiration of repeal, see Editor's notes.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15 (TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES)
§ 56-484.7. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 1996, c. 68.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15 (TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES)
§ 56-484.7:2. Approval.
The Commission shall find that it is in the public interest to approve the offering of qualifying communications services as defined in § 56-484.7:1 unless it shall be demonstrated to the Commission and found that, within the geographic area specified in the petition: (i) the qualifying communications service specified in the petition as provided for in § 56-484.7:1 is readily and generally in the specified geographic area available from each of three or more nonaffiliated companies and is functionally equivalent for consumers in that specified geographic area to one or more services offered by each of the three or more competitors; (ii) the petition is not in compliance with the requirements of § 56-484.7:1; or (iii) the offering of the proposed qualifying communications services will not benefit consumers.

1999, c. 916; 2002, cc. 479, 489; 2003, c. 711.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15 (TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES)
§ 56-484.7:3. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 2002, cc. 479 and 489.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15 (TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES)
§ 56-484.7:4. Revocation of Commission approval.
The Commission may revoke its approval of a petition under § 56-484.7:1 no earlier than five years after such approval if it finds (i) that the factors described in § 56-484.7:2 on which the approval was based no longer exist or are no longer being satisfied, or (ii) that the petitioner has not made satisfactory progress toward making generally available the qualifying communications services specified in the petition. If the Commission finds that such approval should be revoked, it shall determine a date by which the county, city, town, electric commission or board, or authority shall cease to offer such qualifying communications services. In determining such date the Commission shall allow a reasonable time for the entity to offer its equipment, infrastructure and other assets related to such qualifying communications services for sale at fair market value, which shall be deemed to be no less than the amount of the indebtedness, for such equipment, infrastructure and other assets related to such qualifying communications services. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the use of telecommunications equipment and services for intragovernmental purposes as specified in § 15.2-1500.

2002, cc. 479, 489; 2003, c. 711.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15 (TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE COMPANIES)
§ 56-484.8. Repealed.
Repealed by Acts 2000, c. 1064.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15.1 (WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE)
§ 56-484.27. Access to the public rights-of-way by wireless services providers and wireless infrastructure providers; generally.
A. No locality or the Department shall impose on wireless services providers or wireless infrastructure providers any restrictions or requirements concerning the use of the public rights-of-way, including the permitting process, the zoning process, notice, time and location of excavations and repair work, enforcement of the statewide building code, and inspections, that are unfair, unreasonable, or discriminatory.

B. No locality or the Department shall require a wireless services provider or wireless infrastructure provider to provide in-kind services or physical assets as a condition of consent to use public rights-of-way or easements. This shall not limit the ability of localities, their authorities or commissions that provide utility services, or the Department to enter into voluntary pole attachment, tower occupancy, conduit occupancy, or conduit construction agreements with wireless services providers or wireless infrastructure providers.

C. No locality or the Department shall adopt a moratorium on considering requests for access to the public rights-of-way from wireless services providers or wireless infrastructure providers.

2017, c. 835.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15.1 (WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE)
§ 56-484.30. Agreements for use of public right-of-way to construct new wireless support structures; relocation of wireless support structures.
Subject to any applicable requirements of Article VII, Section 9 of the Constitution of Virginia, public right-of-way permits or agreements for the construction of wireless support structures issued on or after July 1, 2017, shall be for an initial term of at least 10 years, with at least three options for renewal for terms of five years, subject to terms providing for earlier termination for cause or by mutual agreement. Nothing herein is intended to prohibit the Department or localities from requiring permittees to relocate wireless support structures when relocation is necessary due to a transportation project, the need to remove a hazard from the right-of-way when the Commissioner of Highways determines such removal is necessary to ensure the safety of the traveling public, or material change to the right-of-way, so long as other users of the right-of-way that are in similar conflict with the use of the right-of-way are required to relocate. Such relocation shall be completed as soon as reasonably possible within the time set forth in any written request by the Department or a locality for such relocation, as long as the Department or a locality provides the permittee with a minimum of 180 days' advance written notice to comply with such relocation, unless circumstances beyond the control of the Department or the locality require a shorter period of advance notice. The permittee shall bear only the proportional cost of the relocation that is caused by the transportation project and shall not bear any cost related to private benefit or where the permittee was on private right-of-way. If the locality or the Department bears any of the cost of the relocation, the permittee shall not be obligated to commence the relocation until it receives the funds for such relocation. The permittee shall have no liability for any delays caused by a failure to receive funds for the cost of such relocation, and the Department or a locality shall have no obligation to collect such funds. If relocation is deemed necessary, the Department or locality shall work cooperatively with the permittee to minimize any negative impact to the wireless signal caused by the relocation. There may be emergencies when relocation is required to commence in an expedited manner, and in such situations the permittee and the locality or Department shall work diligently to accomplish such emergency relocation.

2017, c. 835.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 15.1 (WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE)
§ 56-484.32. Wireless support structure public rights-of-way use fee.
A. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, there is hereby established an annual wireless support structure public rights-of-way use fee to replace any and all fees of general application, except for permit processing, zoning, subdivision, site plan, and comprehensive plan fees of general application, otherwise chargeable to wireless services providers and wireless infrastructure providers in connection with a permit for occupation and use of the public rights-of-way under the jurisdiction of the Department for the construction of new wireless support structures.

B. The amount of the annual wireless support structure public rights-of-way use fee shall be:

1. $1,000 for any wireless support structure at or below 50 feet in height;

2. $3,000 for any wireless support structure above 50 feet and at or below 120 feet in height;

3. $5,000 for any wireless support structure above 120 feet in height; and

4. $1 per square foot for any other equipment, shelter, or associated facilities constructed on the ground.

The fee amount specified in this subsection shall be adjusted every five years, as of January 1 of that year, in an amount equal to the annual increases for that five-year period in the United States Average Consumer Price Index for all items, all urban consumers (CPI-U), as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor, rounded to the nearest whole dollar.

C. No later than June 30 of each year, the wireless services provider or wireless infrastructure provider shall remit directly to the Department any fees owed pursuant to this section. Such fees shall be deposited in the Highway Maintenance and Operating Fund established pursuant to § 33.2-1530.

D. The Department may elect to continue enforcing any agreement, contract, license, easement, or permit allowing the use of the public rights-of-way by a wireless services provider or wireless infrastructure provider existing prior to July 1, 2018, through and until expiration of the current term of the agreement, contract, license, easement, or permit.

2018, cc. 837, 848.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 16 (TELEPHONE COOPERATIVES ACT)
§ 56-485. Short title.
This chapter may be cited as the "Telephone Cooperatives Act."

1950, p. 588; 1956, c. 434.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 16 (TELEPHONE COOPERATIVES ACT)
§ 56-486. Who may form cooperative; purpose.
Any number of natural persons not less than five may, by executing, filing and recording a certificate as hereinafter set forth, form a cooperative, either with or without capital stock, not organized for pecuniary profit, for the purpose of promoting and encouraging the fullest possible use of telephone service by making telephone service and facilities available at the lowest cost consistent with sound economy and prudent management of the business of such cooperatives.

1950, p. 588; 1956, c. 434.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 16 (TELEPHONE COOPERATIVES ACT)
§ 56-487. Definitions.
The following terms, whenever used or referred to in this chapter, shall have the following meanings, unless a different meaning appears from the context:

(1) "Cooperative" shall mean a telephone corporation formed under this chapter.

(2) "Municipality" shall mean any city or incorporated town of the Commonwealth.

(3) "Person" shall mean and include natural persons, firms, associations, cooperatives, corporations, business trusts, partnerships and bodies politic.

(4) "Telephone service" shall mean and include service over wire or cable lines, including voice carrier, service by voice carrier system over electric distribution and transmission lines, service over radio circuits, and any other service involving the transmission of voice, video or data between fixed points.

(5) "Acquire" shall mean and include construct, acquire by purchase, lease, devise, gift or the exercise of the power of eminent domain, or other mode of acquisition.

(6) "System" shall mean and include any plant, works, system, facilities, or properties, or any part or parts thereof, together with all appurtenances thereto, used or useful in connection with the transmission of voice, video or data.

(7) "Obligations" shall mean and include bonds, interim certificates or receipts, notes, debentures, and all other evidences of indebtedness either issued or the payment thereof assumed by a cooperative.

(8) "Federal agency" shall mean and include the United States of America, the President of the United States of America, and any and all other authorities, agencies, and instrumentalities of the United States of America, heretofore or hereafter created.

(9) "Improve" shall mean and include construct, reconstruct, improve, replace, extend, enlarge, alter, better or repair.

(10) "Board" shall mean the board of directors of a cooperative formed under this chapter.

(11) "Member" shall mean and include each person admitted to membership in the cooperative pursuant to law or its bylaws.

1950, p. 588; 1956, c. 434; 1996, c. 708.
Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 16 (TELEPHONE COOPERATIVES ACT)
§ 56-488. Certificate of incorporation.
The certificate of incorporation shall be entitled and endorsed "Certificate of Incorporation of the........ Telephone Co-operative" (the blank space being filled in with the distinguishing part of the name of the cooperative) and shall state:

(1) The name of the cooperative, which name need not contain the word "corporation" or "incorporated" but shall be such as to distinguish it from any other cooperative.

(2) A reasonable designation of the territory in which its operations are principally to be conducted.

(3) The location of its principal office and post-office address thereof.

(4) The maximum number of directors, not less than five.

(5) The names and post-office addresses of the officers and directors who are to manage the affairs of the cooperative for the first year of its existence, or until their successors are chosen.

(6) The period, if any, limited for the duration of the cooperative.

(7) The terms and conditions upon which persons shall be admitted to membership in the cooperative, and in the case of a cooperative incorporating with capital stock a statement of the maximum and minimum amount of the capital stock of the cooperative, and its division into shares.

The certificate of incorporation may also contain any provision not inconsistent with Title 13.1 which the incorporators may choose to insert for the regulation of the business and the conduct of the affairs of the cooperative; and any provision as to the plan of financial organization, or relating to the internal regulation or government of the cooperative, its directors and members.

1950, p. 589; 1956, c. 434.

Code of Virginia — Title 56 (Public Service Companies), Chapter 16 (TELEPHONE COOPERATIVES ACT)
§ 56-489. Limitation of use of words "telephone cooperative.".
The words "telephone cooperative" shall not be used in the corporate names of corporations other than those formed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

1950, p. 590; 1956, c. 434.