Source: https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=StatuteChapter&Statute=49-31
Timestamp: 2020-08-05 10:14:44
Document Index: 453838969

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 49', '§ 3', '§ 49', '§ 1', '§ 49', '§ 2', '§ 52', '§ 49', '§ 19', '§ 42', '§ 2', '§ 8', '§ 4', '§ 49', '§ 49', '§ 49', '§ 49', '§ 49', '§ 49', '§ 49', '§ 49', '§ 14', '§ 52', '§ 22', '§ 45', '§ 2', '§ 10', '§ 49', '§ 3', '§ 12', '§ 49', '§ 5', '§ 14', '§ 52', '§ 49', '§ 21', '§ 48', '§ 15', '§ 49', '§ 52', '§ 49', '§ 50', '§ 93', '§ 8', '§ 49', '§ 112', '§ 53', '§ 49', '§ 52', '§ 113', '§ 10', '§ 54', '§ 15', '§ 36', '§ 49', '§ 49', '§ 52', '§ 49', '§ 61', '§ 57', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 49', '§ 49']

49-31 TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES
49-31-1. Definitions.
49-31-1.1. "Noncompetitive service" defined.
For the purposes of this chapter, "noncompetitive service" is a monopoly service for which no competition exists or the regulation of which is necessary to insure affordable local exchange service. Such services include:
49-31-1.2. "Emerging competitive service" defined.
For the purposes of this chapter, "emerging competitive service" is a service that satisfies the criteria of § 49-31-3.2 and which has alternative services available to over twenty percent of the company's customers for that service. Such services include:
(1) Inter-LATA message toll service and intra-LATA message toll service;
(2) Inter-LATA wide area telephone service and intra-LATA wide area telephone service; and
(3) New products and services not functionally required to provide local exchange service.
Source: SL 1988, ch 375, § 3.
49-31-1.3. "Fully competitive service" defined.
For the purposes of this chapter, "fully competitive service" is a service that satisfies the criteria of § 49-31-3.2 and which has alternative services available to over fifty percent of the company's customers for that service or which is of limited scope or so discretionary in nature that regulation is not warranted. Such services include:
49-31-1.4. "Price regulation" defined--Determination of fair and reasonable price.
For the purposes of this chapter, "price regulation" is the procedure used by the commission to approve the charge for an emerging or noncompetitive telecommunications service which is not based on rate of return regulation. In determining whether the price is fair and reasonable, the commission shall determine and consider the price of alternative services, the overall market for the service, the affordability of the price for the service in the market it is offered, and the impact of the price of the service on the commitment to preserve affordable universal service. In determining the price for an emerging competitive service, the commission shall also consider the actual cost of providing the service. In determining the price for a noncompetitive service, the commission shall also consider the fully allocated cost of providing the service.
49-31-1.5. Unsolicited telephone call defined.
For the purposes of this chapter, the term, unsolicited telephone call, means any telephone solicitation call other than a call made:
(2) Primarily in connection with an existing debt or contract, payment or performance of which has not been completed at the time of such call; or
(3) To any person with whom the telephone solicitor, or any business or financial institution on whose behalf the telephone call is being made has an established business relationship.
Source: SL 2007, ch 266, § 1.
49-31-1.6. Established business relationship defined.
For purposes of § 49-31-1.5, an established business relationship means a prior or existing relationship:
(1) Formed by the person's purchase or transaction with the telephone solicitor, or any business or financial institution on whose behalf the call is made, within the eighteen months immediately preceding the date of the telephone call; or
(2) Formed on the basis of the person's inquiry or application regarding products or services offered by the telephone solicitor, or any business or financial institution on whose behalf the call is made, within the three months immediately preceding the date of the call.
The relationship must not have been previously terminated by either party.
Source: SL 2007, ch 266, § 2.
49-31-2. Applicability of statutes to telecommunications companies.
The provisions of chapters 49-7 to 49-13, inclusive, and this chapter apply to all telecommunications companies and to all telecommunications lines and facilities of any kind, character or description in use by any corporation, receiver, trustee, or other person operating a telecommunications company, whether owned or operated under contract, agreement, lease or otherwise.
Source: SDC 1939, §§ 52.0201, 52.1301; SDCL, § 49-3-3; SL 1979, ch 307, § 19; SL 1987, ch 345, § 42; SL 1992, ch 328, § 2.
49-31-3. General supervision of telecommunications companies offering common carrier services by commission where not preempted--Filing application with commission--Demonstration of capabilities--Rules--Offering services without certificate of authority as misdemeanor.
The commission has general supervision and control of all telecommunications companies offering common carrier services within the state to the extent such business is not otherwise regulated by federal law or regulation. The commission shall inquire into any complaints, unjust discrimination, neglect, or violation of the laws of the state governing such companies. The commission may exercise powers necessary to properly supervise and control such companies.
49-31-3.1. Approval required for discontinuance of noncompetitive telecommunications service.
A telecommunications company may not discontinue any noncompetitive telecommunications service without the express approval of the commission. A telecommunications company need only notify the commission of the discontinuance of any emerging competitive telecommunications service.
Source: SL 1988, ch 375, § 8; SL 1992, ch 328, § 4.
49-31-3.2. Waiver, modification, etc., of rules and orders for fully competitive or emerging competitive service--Application for classification--Factors in determining classification--Time for approval or denial.
The commission, after notice and hearing, shall waive, eliminate or modify any of its rules or orders affecting telecommunications services if it finds that a telecommunications service is a fully competitive service or an emerging competitive service. A person, or the commission on its own motion, may apply to have an emerging competitive service of a telecommunications company classified as a fully competitive service or a noncompetitive service classified as an emerging competitive service or a fully competitive service. The application shall be filed with the commission and served on any other person designated by the commission. The application shall be in a form prescribed by the commission. The commission, in determining how a telecommunications service is to be classified, shall consider:
49-31-3.3. Investigation of telecommunications services--Ninety-day period--Reclassification--Burden of proof--Reclassification after 90 days.
The commission may, within ninety days after July 1, 1988, conclude an investigation into any or all of the telecommunications services listed in §§ 49-31-1.1, 49-31-1.2, and 49-31-1.3 to determine if any service is properly classified pursuant to the standards found in subdivisions 49-31-3.2(1) to (5), inclusive. The commission may, after notice and hearing, reclassify any service to conform the classification of the service to the evidence and the standards in § 49-31-3.2. The telecommunications company providing the service has the burden of proving the classification is appropriate. During this ninety-day period, any service subject to the investigation will remain under rate of return regulation. Upon expiration of the ninety-day period, reclassification of any service, even if hearings had commenced within the ninety days, will be pursuant to the provisions of § 49-31-3.4.
49-31-3.4. Reclassification proceeding--Factors in determining reclassification--Burden of proof--Stay of price change--Penalties and costs for spurious petition.
The commission, on its own motion or upon petition, shall commence regulation or reclassify a telecommunications service previously classified by the Legislature or the commission as a fully competitive service or an emerging competitive service if, after hearing or investigation, the commission finds:
49-31-4. Determination and approval of rates and prices by commission--Attribution of revenues, investments and expenses--Rules.
Any charge established for the provision of telecommunications services shall be fair and reasonable. The commission shall determine and approve individual rates to be charged by any telecommunications company for a noncompetitive service pursuant to § 49-31-1.4, if applicable, and pursuant to §§ 49-31-12, 49-31-12.2 and 49-31-12.4. Except as provided in § 49-31-4.1, the commission shall utilize rate of return regulation when determining the charge for a noncompetitive service.
49-31-4.1. Hearings on price regulation--Petition--Adoption of price regulation for noncompetitive service.
The commission shall, on its own motion or upon petition, hold public hearings investigating methods of price regulation consistent with § 49-31-1.4 and chapter 1-26. Within thirty days of its receipt of a petition filed pursuant to this section, the commission shall issue a procedural schedule setting forth dates by which written direct testimony or data shall be filed and ordering the date for commencement of a hearing.
49-31-4.2. Uniform prices for intrastate interexchange telecommunications services--Volume discounts--Taxes.
A telecommunications company providing intrastate interexchange telecommunications services shall charge uniform prices on all routes where it offers the services. However, notwithstanding this section and § 49-31-11, a telecommunications company may offer or provide volume discounts and may pass through any state, municipal or local taxes in the specific geographic areas from which the taxes originate.
49-31-4.3. Accounts of other businesses--Consideration by commission--Disallowance of unreasonable profits--Burden of proof.
Each telecommunications company engaged directly or indirectly in any business other than that of providing telecommunications service shall keep and, if requested by the commission, render separately to the commission, in like manner and form the relevant accounts of all such other businesses. The provisions of this chapter apply to the books, accounts, papers and records of relevant transactions with such other businesses. All profits and losses of such other business may be considered by the commission as are relevant to the general fiscal condition of the telecommunications company. The commission, in determining the allowance for materials or services to be included in costs of operations for rate of return or price regulation for noncompetitive services, may disallow any unreasonable profit made in the sale of materials to or service supplied for any telecommunications company by any firm or corporation owned or controlled directly or indirectly by such company or any affiliate, subsidiary, parent company, associate or any corporation whose controlling stockholders are also controlling stockholders of such telecommunications company. The burden of proof shall be on the telecommunications company to prove that no unreasonable profit is involved.
Source: SL 1988, ch 375, § 14.
49-31-5. Promulgation of rules for conduct of business.
The commission may regulate the business of providing telecommunication service and may promulgate rules pursuant to chapter 1-26 concerning:
(1) Requirements for telecommunications companies to maintain and make available to the public and the commission records and utility tariffs;
(2) Requirements for telecommunications companies to provide information to customers regarding credit, deposits, services, refunds and billing rights;
(3) Requirements that telecommunications companies must follow regarding procedures for billing customers;
(4) Procedures and requirements for handling billing disputes, service interruptions, payment plans and refunds;
(5) Standards and procedures for telecommunications companies to follow to ensure nondiscriminatory credit policies;
(6) Procedures, requirements and record-keeping guidelines regarding deposit policies;
(7) Procedures, requirements and record-keeping guidelines regarding customer refunds;
(8) Policies for telecommunications companies to follow regarding refusal of telephone service to the public;
(9) Policies for telecommunications companies to follow regarding disconnection of customer service;
(10) Registration procedures, service requirements, billing practices and maximum service charges for alternative operator services in South Dakota;
(11) Procedures and requirements for classification and reclassification proceedings;
(12) Standards, procedures and requirements regarding the telecommunications utility investigation fund;
(13) Application and notice procedures for the construction of telecommunications facilities; and
(14) Requirements for filing and noticing tariff changes.
Source: SDC 1939, § 52.0260; SL 1986, ch 22, § 22; SL 1987, ch 345, § 45; SL 1990, ch 371, § 2; SL 1992, ch 328, § 10.
49-31-5.1. Telecommunications cooperatives, municipal telephone systems and independent telephone companies--Election to be regulated by commission.
Telecommunications cooperatives organized pursuant to chapters 47-15 to 47-20, inclusive, municipal telephone systems operated pursuant to chapter 9-41, and independent telephone companies serving less than fifty thousand local exchange subscribers are not subject to chapter 49-11, §§ 49-31-1.1 to 49-31-1.4, inclusive, 49-31-3.1 to 49-31-4.1, inclusive, 49-31-4.3, 49-31-5, and 49-31-6, 49-31-12 to 49-31-12.5, inclusive, and 49-31-44 to 49-31-46, inclusive.
49-31-5.2. Independent telecommunications companies--Petition by subscribers for election to be regulated by commission.
An independent telecommunications company may be brought under commission regulation if no fewer than five percent of the subscribers, or twenty-five subscribers, whichever is the greater, petition the commission to hold an election of all subscribers of the company to return the company to commission regulation.
Source: SL 1982, ch 329, § 3; SL 1992, ch 328, § 12.
49-31-5.3. Independent telecommunications companies--Procedure for election by subscribers to be regulated by commission.
The ballot to be used in the election shall be approved by the independent telecommunications company and the commission. The commission shall mail ballots, at company cost, to the company's subscribers who shall return the ballots to the commission. The commission shall keep the ballots sealed until the date agreed upon by the commission and board of directors. On the date set, a commission representative and a representative of the company shall count the ballots. If a majority of the company's subscribers elect to become subject to regulation by the commission, the election shall be effective thirty days after the date the ballots are counted.
49-31-5.4. Independent telecommunications companies--"Subscribers" defined.
The term "subscribers" as used in §§ 49-31-5.2 and 49-31-5.3 means either the person in whose name the telecommunications service is registered or the spouse of the person unless the independent telecommunications company has been notified in writing to the contrary.
Source: SL 1982, ch 329, § 5; SL 1992, ch 328, § 14.
49-31-6. Valuation of company property.
The commission may make a physical valuation of all the property of any telecommunications company, to be taken when such valuation is necessary for the purpose of arriving at any determination in connection with the regulation of its business or the adjustment of its rates.
49-31-7. Improvement of business and equipment--Notice to company from commission.
In addition to the regulatory powers and duties provided by chapters 49-1 to 49-13, inclusive, and this chapter, the commission may conduct any investigations that are necessary to protect the public interest. The commission may order such changes or improvements in telecommunications facilities, exchanges or networks as necessary for the improvement of telecommunications service and the convenience of the public. If, in the judgment of the commission, any repair upon telecommunications facilities, a change in its rates, a change in the mode of operating telecommunications facilities or conducting telecommunications company business is necessary, reasonable and expedient in order to promote the safety, convenience and accommodation of the public, the commission shall notify the telecommunications company immediately, and such telecommunications company shall change the mode of operating its facilities or conducting its business, or repair, renew or replace such facilities in such manner, of such material and within such time as the commission may order.
Source: SDC 1939, §§ 52.0202, 52.1318; SDCL, §§ 49-3-7, 49-3-8; SL 1979, ch 307, §§ 21, 22; SL 1987, ch 345, § 48; SL 1992, ch 328, § 15.
49-31-7.1. Powers and duties of commission.
49-31-7.2. Liability for damages unaffected.
Nothing in § 49-31-7.1 may be construed to relieve any telecommunications company from its present responsibility or liability for damages to any person or property.
Source: SDC 1939, § 52.0202; SDCL, § 49-3-9; SL 1987, ch 345, § 50.
49-31-7.3. Court order to testify or produce records--Violation as contempt.
Upon certificate by any member of the commission stating that a telecommunications company or person subject to the provisions of this chapter has refused to obey a subpoena, rule, order or regulation of the commission, any court of this state, pursuant to chapter 21-34, shall issue an order requiring such telecommunications company or other person to appear before the commission and produce all books and papers, give evidence in relation to the matter in question or otherwise comply with the rule or order of the commission. A failure to obey the order of the court shall be punished by the court as contempt.
49-31-7.4. Obstruction of commission--Civil fine.
No person may obstruct the commission or any member thereof in the performance of any of its duties or functions or refuse to give any information within its possession or to produce any record or evidence that may be required by the commission or member within the purview of its or his duties as such commission or member. Any person who violates this section may be punished by a civil fine not exceeding one thousand dollars.
49-31-8
49-31-8, 49-31-9. Repealed by SL 1987, ch 345, § 93.
49-31-10. Delivery of messages to persons intended--Care required.
Any telecommunications provider in this state shall use great care and diligence in the transmission and delivery of telecommunications services and shall deliver telecommunications messages to the persons for whom they are intended.
Source: SDC 1939, §§ 8.0701, 8.0702, 8.1102, 52.1314; SDCL, §§ 49-6-1, 49-6-2; SL 1983, ch 15, § 112; SL 1987, ch 345, § 53.
49-31-11. Discrimination prohibited--Civil fine.
No person or telecommunications company may unjustly or unreasonably discriminate between persons in providing telecommunications services or in the rate or price charged for those services. No telecommunications company may offer a rate or charge, demand, collect or receive from any person a greater or lesser compensation for any telecommunications service offered than it charges, demands, collects or receives from any other person for providing a like telecommunications service. No telecommunications company may make or give any unjust or unreasonable preference or advantage to any person, nor unjustly or unreasonably prejudice or disadvantage any person, in the provision of any telecommunications service. Notwithstanding any prohibitions in this section, upon application to the commission, any telecommunications company may after investigation by the commission, be authorized by the commission to charge special rates or to give certain preferences which are determined by the commission to be fair and reasonable.
Nothing in this section applies to volume discounts or to the provision of telecommunications services at reduced rates for the United States, this state, local governments or governmental subdivisions.
Whoever violates any of the provisions of this section is guilty of unjust discrimination and shall be punished by a civil fine not less than one thousand nor more than five thousand dollars for each violation. Nothing in this section may alter or eliminate any remedy otherwise available to an injured party, including an injured party's right to initiate a suit against the company guilty of discrimination pursuant to § 49-13-14.1.
Source: SDC 1939, §§ 52.1317, 52.9925; SL 1983, ch 15, § 113; SL 1983, ch 331, § 10; SL 1987, ch 345, § 54; SL 1988, ch 375, § 15; SL 1992, ch 328, § 36.
49-31-12. Commission to make rate or price schedule--Different rates or prices for different companies or services--Revision of rates--Notice to companies.
The commission shall make for each of the telecommunications companies doing business in this state a schedule of reasonable fares and rates or prices except for those telecommunications services which are fully competitive. The commission may determine and approve different rates or prices for different companies and for different services of any company. The commission shall:
49-31-12.1. Tariff as prima facie evidence of reasonableness--Commission certified as true copy.
Any tariff, or a certified copy, approved pursuant to § 49-31-1.4, 49-31-12, 49-31-12.2, 49-31-12.4, or 49-31-12.5, shall be received in evidence as an official tariff on file with the commission, without further proof. The commission shall certify that the tariff in question is a true copy of the original on file with the commission and that it is currently in effect. The tariff shall, in any suit brought against a company, constitute prima facie evidence that the rates or prices approved thereby are fair and reasonable.
49-31-12.2. Duties of regulated companies concerning publication and filing of rates or prices.
Any telecommunications company subject to this chapter for noncompetitive and emerging competitive telecommunications services shall:
(1) Print and keep for public inspection in a convenient and publicly accessible place, its tariff showing the rates or prices for telecommunications services offered by the company which are in force at the time;
(2) Not increase published rates or prices for noncompetitive telecommunications services except after thirty days' notice to the commission and to the public. The notice shall state the proposed increase and the proposed effective date of the increase. After thirty days' notice the increase may go into effect subject to suspension, refund or both, pursuant to § 49-31-12.4 or 49-31-12.5, whichever is applicable. A company need only notify the commission of any reduction in rates or prices for telecommunications services before the effective date of the reduction and publish the appropriately amended tariff and notice required in subdivision (1) of this section;
(3) Except as provided for in subdivision (2) of this section, not deviate from any of its current published rates; and
(4) Upon request of the commission, file with the commission copies of any contracts, agreements or arrangements with other companies that are affected by the provisions of this chapter.
Source: SDC 1939, § 52.0212; SDCL, §§ 49-10-10, 49-10-17; SL 1979, ch 307, §§ 61, 64; SL 1987, ch 345, § 57; SL 1988, ch 375, § 18; SL 1992, ch 328, § 18.
49-31-12.3. Failure to file tariffs and agreements--Mandamus.
If any telecommunications company subject to the provisions of this chapter neglects or refuses to file or publish its tariffs of rates or prices, and contracts and agreements relating thereto, the telecommunications company, pursuant to chapter 21-34, is subject to a writ of mandamus to be issued by any circuit court of the state in the judicial circuit where the principal office of the telecommunications company is situated or where the offense may be committed.
49-31-12.4. Filing of new or changed tariff--Procedures for commission.
If a telecommunications company files with the commission any tariff stating a new rate or price or any new practice affecting any noncompetitive telecommunications service, the commission:
49-31-12.5. Filing of new schedule affecting emerging competitive service--Notice and hearing--Suspension or disapproval of price or practice.
If a telecommunications company files with the commission any tariff stating a new price or a change in price or practice affecting any emerging competitive telecommunications service, the commission:
(3) May, if the petition to intervene or motion alleges improper cross subsidization in violation of § 49-31-4 or unjust or unreasonable discrimination pursuant to § 49-31-11, suspend the effective date of any new price or a change in price or practice, if the commission determines that any remedial order of the commission pursuant to chapter