reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
VA Code § 56-54.2 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 56 - Public Service Companies|Chapter 2.1 - Competitive Telephone Companies|§ 56-54.2. Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:"Competitive local exchange telephone company" means (i) a competing telephone company, excluding a city, town, or county, that was granted a certificate on or after January 1, 1996, pursuant to § 56-265.4:4 or (ii) an incumbent local exchange telephone company to the extent such company is providing service outside of its incumbent territory."Competitive telephone company" means (i) an incumbent local exchange telephone company whose residential dial tone lines (a) were deemed competitive by the Commission throughout the company's incumbent service territory prior to January 1, 2014, or (b) are declared competitive by the Commission throughout its incumbent service territory on or after January 1, 2014, in a proceeding pursuant to § 56-235.5 or (ii) a competitive local exchange telephone company."Incumbent local exchange telephone company" means a public service corporation that was providing local exchange telephone service prior to January 1, 1996, or a successor entity to such a public service corporation."Incumbent territory" means the area in which an incumbent local exchange telephone company was providing local exchange telephone service prior to July 1, 2002, except as its incumbent certificate may have been amended by the Commission after that date pursuant to subdivision B 1 of § 56-265.4:4.2014, cc. 340, 376.
VA Code § 56-54.3 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 56 - Public Service Companies|Chapter 2.1 - Competitive Telephone Companies|§ 56-54.3. Election to be regulated as a competitive telephone company

Any telephone company meeting the definition of a competitive telephone company may elect to be regulated as a competitive telephone company pursuant to the provisions of this chapter by providing written notice to the Commission of such election. The election shall be effective 30 days after receipt of the notice by the Commission unless (i) the Commission notifies the electing telephone company within that 30-day period that the telephone company does not meet the definition of a competitive telephone company and (ii) the Commission then commences a proceeding to challenge the election. In such a proceeding, interested parties shall be provided notice and an opportunity for a hearing. The Commission shall issue a final decision on any such proceeding challenging the election within 60 days of the electing telephone company's receipt of the Commission's notification of the commencement of the proceeding to challenge the election. A telephone company's election to be regulated as a competitive telephone company shall be deemed approved if the Commission fails to act within this 60-day period. A new entrant may elect to be regulated under this chapter when it applies for certification pursuant to § 56-265.4:4. Such an election will be effective upon its certification as a competitive local exchange carrier.2014, cc. 340, 376.
VA Code § 56-54.4 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 56 - Public Service Companies|Chapter 2.1 - Competitive Telephone Companies|§ 56-54.4. Commission authority over competitive telephone companies

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Commission shall not have any jurisdiction and authority, including jurisdiction and authority over any obligation of a competitive telephone company to seek approval from the Commission, to regulate, supervise, or promulgate rules relating to the retail services, rates, and terms of service of a competitive telephone company, except as specifically enumerated in this chapter. The Commission shall have discretion as to the extent to which it will exercise the authority granted to it in this chapter. Nothing in this chapter grants, affects, modifies, or limits any rights, duties, obligations, or authority of any entity, including the Commission, (i) pursuant to the provisions of 47 U.S.C. § 251 and 47 U.S.C. § 252 or (ii) related to wholesale telephone services and issues, including the payment of switched network access rates or other intercarrier compensation, interconnection, porting, and numbering.2014, cc. 340, 376.
VA Code § 56-54.5 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 56 - Public Service Companies|Chapter 2.1 - Competitive Telephone Companies|§ 56-54.5. Powers of the Commission

A. The Commission may ensure competitive telephone companies provide reasonably adequate retail voice service, including rendering timely and accurate bills for service, by receiving customer complaints and requiring the competitive telephone company to reasonably address bona fide complaints as promptly as is reasonably possible under the circumstances.B. The Commission shall continue to have jurisdiction and authority to ensure the reasonably adequate provision by competitive telephone companies of the telecommunications portions of emergency 911 services provided to PSAPs, as that term is defined in § 56-484.12.C. The Commission shall continue to have jurisdiction and authority over Lifeline telephone service such as the Virginia Universal Service Plan, but shall not impose Lifeline telephone service obligations on competitive telephone companies that do not seek designation as eligible telecommunications carriers or impose Lifeline telephone service obligations over and above that imposed by the default Lifeline plan imposed by the Federal Communications Commission.D. The Commission shall continue to have jurisdiction and authority to permit existing and new retail tariffs to be filed by competitive telephone companies; however, nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require a competitive telephone company to file tariffs concerning retail services.E. Existing extended local service calling plans ordered by the Commission pursuant to Article 4 (§ 56-484.1 et seq.) of Chapter 15 that are applicable to competitive telephone companies shall remain in effect, but shall not be expanded by the Commission. The Commission shall continue to have jurisdiction and authority to enforce these extended local service calling plans, but shall not create any new plans.F. The Commission shall continue to have jurisdiction and authority to grant, amend, reissue, and cancel certificates of public convenience and necessity of competitive telephone companies.G. The Commission may promulgate such rules, including the revision and repeal of current rules, as may be necessary to implement the specific authority granted in this chapter.H. The Commission shall continue to enforce the Utility Transfers Act (§ 56-88 et seq.) regarding competitive telephone companies.2014, cc. 340, 376.
VA Code § 56-54.6 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 56 - Public Service Companies|Chapter 2.1 - Competitive Telephone Companies|§ 56-54.6. Duties of a competitive telephone company

A. A competitive telephone company that is an incumbent telephone carrier shall have the duty in its incumbent territory to extend or expand its facilities to furnish retail voice service and facilities when the person, firm, or corporation does not have service available from one or more alternative providers of wireline or terrestrial wireless communications services at prevailing market rates.B. A competitive telephone company shall continue to have the powers and duties provided in the first sentence of subdivision A 2 of § 56-234.C. For the purposes of subsections A and B, the Commission shall have the authority, upon request of an individual, corporation, or other entity, or a competitive telephone company, to determine whether the wireline or terrestrial wireless communications service available to the party requesting service is a reasonably adequate alternative to local exchange telephone service.D. The use by a competitive telephone company of wireline and terrestrial wireless technologies shall not be construed to grant any additional jurisdiction or authority to the Commission over such technologies.E. For purposes of subsection A, "prevailing market rates" means rates similar to those generally available to consumers in competitive areas for the same services.F. A competitive telephone company shall have the obligation to provide access to emergency 911 service to its end-user retail customers.2014, cc. 340, 376.
VA Code § 56-54.7 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 56 - Public Service Companies|Chapter 2.1 - Competitive Telephone Companies|§ 56-54.7. Service provided to the Commonwealth

The Commission shall have no jurisdiction or authority over (i) schedules of rates for any telecommunications service provided to the public by virtue of any contract with, (ii) any service provided under or relating to a contract for telecommunications services with, or (iii) contracts for service rendered by any competitive telephone company to, the Commonwealth or any agency thereof.2014, cc. 340, 376.
VA Code § 56-55 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 56 - Public Service Companies|Chapter 3 - Issuance of Stocks, Bonds, Etc.|§ 56-55. Definitions

The term "public service company" when used in this chapter shall mean every person, firm, corporation or association, or their lessees, trustees or receivers, other than a municipal corporation, now or hereafter engaged in business in this Commonwealth as a public utility and subject to regulation as to rates and service by the State Corporation Commission under the provisions of Chapter 10 (§ 56-232 et seq.) of this title; however, the term shall not include and the provisions of this chapter shall not be deemed to refer to common carrier railroad companies, the issuance of the stocks and securities of which are under regulation by the Interstate Commerce Commission.The term "total capitalization" as used in § 56-65.1 shall mean total common stockholders' equity (common stock, additional paid-in capital and retained earnings), preferred stock, and total debt (long- and short-term debt) as shown on the utility's books.The terms "securities" and "loan" as used in §§ 56-68 and 56-75 shall include every obligation, written or otherwise, the issuance of, or entry into, which is required to be approved or validated by this chapter.1934, p. 221; Michie Code 1942, §§ 4073(1), 4073(16); 1984, c. 721; 1987, c. 479.
VA Code § 56-56 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 56 - Public Service Companies|Chapter 3 - Issuance of Stocks, Bonds, Etc.|§ 56-56. Issue of securities a special privilege subject to regulation

The power of public service companies to issue stocks and stock certificates or other evidences of interest or ownership, and bonds, notes and other evidences of indebtedness and to create liens on their property situated within this Commonwealth is a special privilege, the right of supervision, regulation, restriction, and control of which is and shall continue to be vested in the Commonwealth; and such power shall be exercised as provided by law and under such rules and regulations as the Commission may prescribe; provided that this section shall not apply to obligations incurred for purchase of machinery or equipment where such obligations are secured by conditional sales contracts.1934, p. 221; Michie Code 1942, § 4073(2); 1958, c. 11.
VA Code § 56-57 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 56 - Public Service Companies|Chapter 3 - Issuance of Stocks, Bonds, Etc.|§ 56-57. Securities to which chapter is applicable

A. This chapter shall apply to every stock or stock certificate or other evidence of interest or ownership, and, except as otherwise provided by § 56-65, every bond, note or other evidence of indebtedness, of a public service company, which may be issued, and to every obligation or liability as guarantor, endorser, surety or otherwise in respect of the securities of any other person, firm, association or corporation, when such securities are payable at periods of twelve months or more after the date thereof, which may be or may have been assumed after March 24, 1934, notwithstanding the fact that any preparatory steps, whether by the issuance or amendment of a certificate of incorporation, or by the action of the board of directors, or the stockholders or otherwise, may have been taken prior to such date.B. Notwithstanding subsection A, this chapter shall not apply to any stock or stock certificate or other evidence of interest or ownership, or any bond, note or other evidence of indebtedness of a (i) public service company that operates under an alternative form of regulation approved by the Commission pursuant to § 56-235.5, unless the Commission rescinds such exemption as hereafter authorized, or (ii) competitive telephone company as defined in § 56-54.2, provided such securities are issued for lawful purposes pursuant to § 56-58. Any public service company exempt from this chapter shall instead provide notice to the Commission of the issuance of any stock or stock certificate or other evidence of interest or ownership, or, except as otherwise provided by §§ 56-65 and 56-65.1, any bond, note or other evidence of indebtedness, within ninety days of issuance. The Commission may rescind the exemption from this chapter provided by this subsection to any public service company that operates under an alternative form of regulation approved by the Commission pursuant to § 56-235.5 if the Commission finds, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing, that such exemption is not in the public interest.1934, p. 225; Michie Code 1942, § 4073(11); 2001, c. 347; 2014, cc. 340, 376.
VA Code § 56-58 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 56 - Public Service Companies|Chapter 3 - Issuance of Stocks, Bonds, Etc.|§ 56-58. Purposes for which stock, etc., may issue

A public service company may issue stocks and stock certificates or other evidences of interest or ownership, and bonds, notes and other evidences of indebtedness payable at periods of twelve months or more after the date thereof, for the following purposes and no others, namely:(1) For the acquisition of property (including stocks, stock certificates or other evidences of interest or ownership, and bonds, notes and other evidences of indebtedness of other persons, firms, associations or corporations when the acquisition thereof has been approved and authorized by the Commission);(2) For the construction, completion, extension or improvement of its facilities;(3) For the improvement or maintenance of its service;(4) For the discharge or lawful refunding of its obligations; or(5) For the reimbursement of moneys actually expended from income, or from any other moneys in the treasury of the public service company not secured by or obtained from the issue of its stocks or stock certificates or other evidences of interest or ownership of bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness payable at periods of twelve months or more after the date thereof, for any of the aforesaid purposes except maintenance of service in cases where the applicant shall have kept its accounts and vouchers for such expenditures in such manner as to enable the Commission to ascertain the amount of moneys so expended and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.1934, p. 221; Michie Code 1942, § 4073(3).
VA Code § 56-59 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 56 - Public Service Companies|Chapter 3 - Issuance of Stocks, Bonds, Etc.|§ 56-59. Order required before acting as surety, guarantor, etc.

No public service company shall henceforth assume any obligation or liability as guarantor, endorser, surety or otherwise in respect to the securities of any other person, firm, association or corporation, when such securities are payable at periods of twelve months or more after the date thereof, without having first secured from the Commission an order authorizing it so to do.1934, p. 222; Michie Code 1942, § 4073(4).
VA Code § 56-60 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 56 - Public Service Companies|Chapter 3 - Issuance of Stocks, Bonds, Etc.|§ 56-60. Application for order authorizing issuance of securities or assumption of liabilities

An application for an order authorizing the issue of such stocks and stock certificates or other evidences of interest or ownership, and bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness for any purpose described in § 56-58 or the assumption of the obligations or liabilities of any other person, firm, association or corporation as provided in § 56-59 shall be made to the Commission stating the amount, character, terms and purposes of the stocks, stock certificates or other evidences of interest or ownership, and bonds, notes and other evidences of indebtedness to be issued or assumed, and stating such other pertinent details as the Commission may require.1934, p. 222; Michie Code 1942, § 4073(5).
VA Code § 56-61 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 56 - Public Service Companies|Chapter 3 - Issuance of Stocks, Bonds, Etc.|§ 56-61. Action of Commission on such application

When an application is filed with the Commission under § 56-60 it shall consider and pass upon the same within twenty-five days, and when the application sets forth that such securities are to be issued or such obligations or liabilities are to be assumed for any purpose set forth in § 56-58, and the Commission so finds, it shall approve the application and issue the order applied for, unless the Commission shall find, for reasons stated by it, that the issuance of such securities or the assumption of such obligations or liabilities is not reasonably necessary to carry out one or more of the purposes set forth in the application. The Commission may by its order grant permission for any such issuance or assumption in the amount or on the terms applied for, or in a less amount, or on different terms, or not at all, and may include in its order such terms and conditions fairly relating to the matter of such issuance or assumption as it may deem reasonable or necessary. Whenever the Commission refuses, in whole or in part, an application to issue securities or assume obligations or liabilities, or grants such an application with modifications, it shall state specifically its reasons so that such refusal or modifications may be reviewed judicially on appeal. If at the end of twenty-five days after the filing of such an application, or at the end of any extension or extensions of that time, which may have been ordered by the Commission, no order of disapproval is entered, the application shall be deemed in fact and law to have been approved, and an order shall be issued by the Commission authorizing the issuance of the securities or the assumption of the obligations or liabilities as applied for and such securities may be issued or such obligations or liabilities assumed accordingly. But the Commission may extend the original twenty-five-day period not to exceed an additional thirty days unless the Commission shall conclude that fifty-five days is not a sufficient time in which fully to investigate and determine whether such certificate shall be issued, in which event it shall by written order extend the time for a specified reasonable period, and in such order set forth the reasons for such extension, which order shall be viewed in law as a final order for purposes of appeal, and upon appeal the court shall approve or decrease the period specified in the order.To enable it to determine whether it will issue such order, the Commission may hold a hearing and may make such additional inquiry or investigation, and examine such witnesses, books, papers, documents and contracts, and require the filing of such data as it may deem of assistance.1934, p. 222; Michie Code 1942, § 4073(5); 1980, c. 246.
VA Code § 56-62 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 56 - Public Service Companies|Chapter 3 - Issuance of Stocks, Bonds, Etc.|§ 56-62. Joint action with commission of another state

If a commission or other agency or agencies is empowered by another state to regulate and control the amount and character of securities to be issued by any public service company within such other state, then the Commission shall have the power to agree with such other commission or other agency or agencies of such other state on the issuance of stocks or stock certificates or other evidences of interest or ownership, and bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness by a public service company owning or operating a public utility both in such state and in this Commonwealth, and shall have the power to approve such issue jointly with such commission or other agency or agencies and to issue a joint certificate of such approval; provided, however, that no such joint approval shall be required in order to express the consent to and approval of such issue by the Commonwealth of Virginia if such issue is separately approved by the Commission.1934, p. 223; Michie Code 1942, § 4073(5).
VA Code § 56-63 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 56 - Public Service Companies|Chapter 3 - Issuance of Stocks, Bonds, Etc.|§ 56-63. Appeal from decision of Commission on issuance of securities

The public service company making any application under § 56-60 may have the decision or order of the Commission reviewed on appeal to the Supreme Court in the same manner and by the same procedure as any other order, action, or decision of the Commission, when the public service company shall deem such decision or order to be in any respect or manner improper, unjust or unreasonable.1934, p. 223; Michie Code 1942, § 4073(5).
VA Code § 56-65 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 56 - Public Service Companies|Chapter 3 - Issuance of Stocks, Bonds, Etc.|§ 56-65. Exceptions as to issue of stock, etc., in treasury, etc.

The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the sale or other disposition of any stock or stock certificate or other evidence of interest or ownership, or bond, note or other evidence of indebtedness, which may be held in the treasury of a public service company if title thereto, or possession by pledge thereof, shall have at some previous time once lawfully passed from such public utility company, nor to the issuance of bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness, payable at a period of less than twelve months, nor to the pledging or replacing of stocks, trust certificates, bonds, or other evidences of indebtedness to secure such bonds, notes, or evidences of indebtedness, payable at periods of less than twelve months; but if such bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness shall, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, be refunded by any issue of bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness running for twelve months or more then the aforesaid mentioned provisions with regard to certificates of public convenience and applications therefor shall apply to such refunding.1934, p. 224; Michie Code 1942, § 4073(7).
VA Code § 56-65.1 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 56 - Public Service Companies|Chapter 3 - Issuance of Stocks, Bonds, Etc.|§ 56-65.1. Short-term indebtedness

Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 56-57 and 56-65, the provisions of this chapter shall apply to the issuance of any note or notes by any public service company which has total capitalization, including securities having a maturity date of less than twelve months from the time of issue, of five million dollars or more, unless such note or notes together with all other outstanding notes and drafts of a maturity of less than twelve months on which such utility is primarily or secondarily liable, aggregates not more than twelve percent of the total capitalization of such utility.1952, c. 148; 1976, c. 408; 1987, c. 479; 1995, c. 137.