reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
SC Code § 58-9-250 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 9 - Telephone, Telegraph And Express Companies|Section 58-9-250. Unreasonable preferences and differences in rates or service shall not be made; reasonable classifications may be established.

 No telephone utility shall, as to rates or services, make or grant any unreasonable preference or advantage to any person or corporation or subject any person or corporation to any unreasonable prejudice or disadvantage. No telephone utility shall establish or maintain any unreasonable difference as to rates or service, either as between localities or as between classes of service. Subject to the approval of the Commission, however, telephone utilities may establish classifications of rates and services and such classifications may take into account the conditions and circumstances surrounding the service, such as the time when used, the purpose for which used, the demand upon plant facilities, the value of the service rendered or any other reasonable consideration. The Commission may determine any question arising under this section.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-375; 1952 Code Section 58-375; 1950 (46) 2466.
SC Code § 58-9-260 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 9 - Telephone, Telegraph And Express Companies|Section 58-9-260. Facilities and equipment shall be maintained in adequate manner.

 Every telephone utility shall provide and maintain facilities and equipment to furnish reasonably adequate and efficient telephone service to its customers in this State.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-376; 1952 Code Section 58-376; 1950 (46) 2466.
SC Code § 58-9-270 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 9 - Telephone, Telegraph And Express Companies|Section 58-9-270. Extensions of existing facilities.

 When ordered by the commission after notice to other interested telephone utilities and the public and due hearing any telephone utility may be required to establish, construct, maintain, and operate any reasonable extension of its existing facilities. If any such extension, however, by any telephone utility of its existing facilities will interfere with the service or system of any other telephone utility, the commission may on petition and after hearing either order the discontinuance of such extension or prescribe such terms and conditions with respect thereto as may be just and reasonable.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-377; 1952 Code Section 58-377; 1950 (46) 2466; 2006 Act No. 318, Section 34, eff May 24, 2006.
SC Code § 58-9-290 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 9 - Telephone, Telegraph And Express Companies|Section 58-9-290. Interchange of service.

 Telephone utilities may contract with each other for the connection of their respective lines or systems and for the interchange through such connections of public telephone and communications service and for other proper purposes. A copy of every such contract shall be filed with the commission and provided to the Office of Regulatory Staff. Such contract shall remain in effect in accordance with its terms unless the commission, after notice and hearing, shall find that such contract is contrary to the public interest and shall disapprove it.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-379; 1952 Code Section 58-379; 1950 (46) 2466; 2006 Act No. 318, Section 36, eff May 24, 2006.
SC Code § 58-9-295 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 9 - Telephone, Telegraph And Express Companies|Section 58-9-295. Agreements limiting other communications providers from access to rights-of-way prohibited; penalties.

 (A) No communications service provider or a parent company, subsidiary, or affiliate of a communications service provider shall enter into any contract, agreement, or arrangement, oral or written, with a person or entity that:  (1) requires a person or entity to restrict or limit the ability of any other communications service provider from obtaining easements or rights-of-way for the installation of facilities or equipment to provide communications services in this State or otherwise deny or restrict access to the real property by any other communications service provider; or  (2) offers or grants incentives or rewards to an owner of real property or the owner's agent that are contingent upon restricting or limiting the ability of any other communications service provider from obtaining easements or rights-of-way for the installation of facilities or equipment to provide communications services in this State or otherwise denying or restricting access to the real property by any other communications service provider.  (B)(1) Nothing in this section prohibits a communications service provider and a user or prospective user of communications service from entering into an agreement with respect to the user or prospective user's own communications service.  (2) Nothing in this section prohibits an owner of real property or the owner's agent from entering into agreements with one or more communications service providers for the purpose of marketing a communications service to the owner of real property or to the tenants of real property, so long as such agreements are not in violation of subsection (A).  (3) This section does not affect a franchise agreement or other agreement with a municipality concerning the use of public streets, public rights-of-way, or other public property.  (C) All contracts, agreements, or arrangements in violation of subsection (A) made on or after the effective date of this section are void and unenforceable.  (D) A communications service provider who violates the provisions of this section is subject to a monetary penalty as provided in Section 58-9-1610. Each day that a contract, agreement, or arrangement prohibited by this section remains in force or effect shall constitute a separate violation as provided in Section 58-9-1620.  HISTORY: 2005 Act No. 134, Section 2, eff 45 days after approval (approved June 7, 2005).  Editor's Note  2005 Act No. 134, Section 4, provides as follows:  "If, as result of federal law, a finding of a federal administrative agency or a decision of a federal or state court of competent jurisdiction, this act is deemed to be inapplicable to any person, entity, or class of provider that otherwise meets the definition of a communications service provider in Section 58-9-200, this act shall become void and unenforceable as to all communications service providers."
SC Code § 58-9-297 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 9 - Telephone, Telegraph And Express Companies|Section 58-9-297. Relief from obligation to provide communications services.

 (A) No other communications service provider, including without limitation a carrier of last resort as defined in Section 58-9-10(10), shall be obligated to provide any communications service to the occupants of the property described herein if an owner or developer of any multi-tenant business or residential property, including without limitation apartments, condominiums, subdivisions, office buildings, or office parks:  (1) permits only one communications service provider to install its facilities or equipment during the construction phase of the property;  (2) accepts or agrees to accept incentives or rewards from a communications service provider to the owner, developer, or occupants of the property that are contingent upon the provision of communications service by that communications service provider to the exclusion of other providers of communications service;  (3) collects from the occupants of the property charges for the provision of communications service to the occupants in any manner, including without limitation through rent, fees, or dues; or  (4) enters into an agreement with a communications service provider that is in violation of Section 58-9-295.  (B) If any communications service provider is relieved of an obligation to provide communications service to occupants of property pursuant to subsection (A), the communications service provider may voluntarily provide communications services to the occupants of that property, and the public service commission must not impose any requirements related to the terms, conditions, rates, or availability of this service.  HISTORY: 2005 Act No. 134, Section 3, eff 45 days after approval (approved June 7, 2005).  Editor's Note  2005 Act No. 134, Section 4, provides as follows:  "If, as result of federal law, a finding of a federal administrative agency or a decision of a federal or state court of competent jurisdiction, this act is deemed to be inapplicable to any person, entity, or class of provider that otherwise meets the definition of a communications service provider in Section 58-9-200, this act shall become void and unenforceable as to all communications service providers."
SC Code § 58-9-300 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 9 - Telephone, Telegraph And Express Companies|Section 58-9-300. Abandonment of service.

 No telephone utility shall abandon all or any portion of its service to the public, except for ordinary discontinuance of service for nonpayment of a lawful charge or for violation of rules and regulations approved by the commission, unless written application is first made to the commission for the issuance of a certificate authorizing such abandonment, nor until the commission in its discretion issues such certificate. Any application must also be served on the Office of Regulatory Staff at the same time it is filed with the commission.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-380; 1952 Code Section 58-380; 1950 (46) 2466; 2006 Act No. 318, Section 37, eff May 24, 2006.
SC Code § 58-9-310 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 9 - Telephone, Telegraph And Express Companies|Section 58-9-310. Sale or other disposition of property, powers, franchises or privileges.

 No telephone utility, without the approval of the Commission after due hearing and compliance with all other existing requirements of the laws of the State in relation thereto, may sell, transfer, lease, consolidate, or merge its property, powers, franchises, or privileges or any of them; provided, however, that a telephone cooperative association may acquire or incorporate a subsidiary corporation or a subsidiary cooperative association without the approval of the Commission.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-381; 1952 Code Section 58-381; 1950 (46) 2466; 1983 Act No. 67 Section 3, eff May 26, 1983.
SC Code § 58-9-320 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 9 - Telephone, Telegraph And Express Companies|Section 58-9-320. Transactions with affiliates.

 When in the judgment of the commission there is a reasonably substantial affiliation of any telephone utility engaged in business in this State with any other corporation or person or when in the judgment of the commission any other corporation or person either exercises, or is in position to exercise, by reason of ownership or control of securities or for any other cause, any reasonably substantial control over the business or policies of any telephone utility engaged in business in this State, the burden of proof shall be upon the telephone utility to establish as determined by the commission the reasonableness, fairness, and absence of injurious effect upon the public interest of any fees or charges growing out of any transactions between any telephone utility and such other corporation or person. Every telephone utility shall be required to produce, if so ordered by the commission, for the information of the commission, the Office of Regulatory Staff, and the public, all such contracts, papers, and documents relating thereto and explanatory thereof as may be required by the commission, and unless the reasonableness, fairness, and absence of injurious effect upon the public interest of such fees and charges are established as determined by the commission, they shall not be allowed by the commission for rate-making purposes. The commission shall not allow for rate-making purposes any fees or expenses included in any contract or agreement with an affiliate representing charges that the commission has directly disallowed in its rate-making orders.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-382; 1952 Code Section 58-382; 1950 (46) 2466; 1983 Act No. 67 Section 4, eff May 26, 1983; 1983 Act No. 138 Section 15, eff June 15, 1983; 2006 Act No. 318, Section 38, eff May 24, 2006.
SC Code § 58-9-330 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 9 - Telephone, Telegraph And Express Companies|Section 58-9-330. Participation in profits from efficiency.

 For the purpose of encouraging economy, efficiency and improvements in methods of service any telephone utility may participate, subject to the approval of the Commission, to such extent as may be permitted by the Commission, in the additional profits arising from any economy, efficiency or improvement in methods or service instituted by such telephone utility.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-383; 1952 Code Section 58-383; 1950 (46) 2466.
SC Code § 58-9-340 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 9 - Telephone, Telegraph And Express Companies|Section 58-9-340. System of accounts.

 The Office of Regulatory Staff may, in its discretion, and subject to approval of the commission, prescribe systems of accounts to be kept by telephone utilities subject to the commission's jurisdiction and the Office of Regulatory Staff may prescribe the manner in which the accounts shall be kept and may require every telephone utility to keep its books, papers, and records accurately and faithfully according to the system of accounts as prescribed by the Office of Regulatory Staff. But nothing in this section shall be construed to be in conflict with or in violation of the provisions of the Communications Act of Congress of 1934, as amended (U. S. C. A. Title 47, Sections 151 through 609), nor shall anything herein be construed to be in conflict with any lawful order of the Federal Communications Commission issued pursuant to the authority vested in it by said act of Congress.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-384; 1952 Code Section 58-384; 1950 (46) 2466; 2006 Act No. 318, Section 39, eff May 24, 2006.
SC Code § 58-9-350 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 9 - Telephone, Telegraph And Express Companies|Section 58-9-350. Depreciation and retirement charges.

 Every telephone utility shall have the right, and may be so required, to charge annually as an operating expense a reasonable sum for depreciation and credit it to a reserve account for such purpose. Such reserve account shall be charged with plant retirements. But if the reserve thus created shall at any time in the judgment of the Commission be excessive, the Commission after due hearing shall make such order as will result in credits to such reserve thereafter conforming to actual facts and conditions as ascertained by the Commission.  The Commission may control or limit such depreciation reserve.  Nothing in this section shall be construed to be in conflict with or in violation of the provisions of the Communications Act of Congress of 1934, as amended (U. S. C. A. Title 47, Sections 151 through 609), nor shall anything herein be construed to be in conflict with any lawful order of the Federal Communications Commission issued pursuant to the authority vested in it by said act of Congress.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-385; 1952 Code Section 58-385; 1950 (46) 2466.
SC Code § 58-9-360 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 9 - Telephone, Telegraph And Express Companies|Section 58-9-360. Restrictions on capitalization for rate-making purposes.

 No telephone utility shall for rate-making purposes, capitalize its franchises, rights, powers or privileges or its right to own and operate or enjoy any such franchise, rights, powers or privileges in excess of the amount paid to the State or to any political subdivision of the State as the consideration for the grant thereof or capitalize any lease or contract of sale for consolidation or merger of two or more telephone utilities; nor shall the Commission permit any such capitalization by a telephone utility nor shall any telephone utility issue by way of substitution any capital stock, trust certificates, bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness or other securities for any consolidated or merged company exceeding the aggregate value of the properties so consolidated or merged and any additional sum of money actually contributed in cash and additional property or labor actually contributed. The determination of such consideration or value as aforesaid shall be subject to the approval of the Commission.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-386; 1952 Code Section 58-386; 1950 (46) 2466.
SC Code § 58-9-370 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 9 - Telephone, Telegraph And Express Companies|Section 58-9-370. Annual and special reports.

 (A) Subject to approval of the commission, the Office of Regulatory Staff may require any telephone utility to file annual reports in such form and of such content as the Office of Regulatory Staff may require and special reports concerning any matter about which the Office of Regulatory Staff is authorized to inquire or to keep itself informed or which it is required to enforce. All reports shall be under oath when required by the Office of Regulatory Staff.  (B) A copy of all reports filed with the commission also must be provided to the Office of Regulatory Staff.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-387; 1952 Code Section 58-387; 1950 (46) 2466; 2006 Act No. 318, Section 40, eff May 24, 2006.
SC Code § 58-9-380 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 9 - Telephone, Telegraph And Express Companies|Section 58-9-380. Office in State.

 Each telephone utility shall have an office in one of the counties of this State in which its property or some part thereof is located and shall keep in such office all such books, accounts, papers, and records as shall reasonably be required by the Office of Regulatory Staff to be kept within the State. No books, accounts, papers, or records required by the Office of Regulatory Staff to be kept within the State shall be removed at any time from the State except upon such conditions as may be prescribed by the Office of Regulatory Staff.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-388; 1952 Code Section 58-388; 1950 (46) 2466; 2006 Act No. 318, Section 41, eff May 24, 2006.
SC Code § 58-9-390 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 9 - Telephone, Telegraph And Express Companies|Section 58-9-390. Compliance with rules and regulations.

 Each telephone utility shall obey and comply with each and every requirement of every order, decision, direction, rule, or regulation made or prescribed by the commission and every direction, rule, or regulation made or prescribed by the Office of Regulatory Staff in the performance of its duties under Articles 1 through 13 of this chapter, or in relation to any other matter in any way relating to or affecting the business of such telephone utility and shall do everything necessary or proper in order to secure compliance with and observance of every such order, decision, direction, rule, or regulation by all of its officers, agents, and employees.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-389; 1952 Code Section 58-389; 1950 (46) 2466; 2006 Act No. 318, Section 42, eff May 24, 2006.
SC Code § 58-9-510 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 9 - Telephone, Telegraph And Express Companies|Section 58-9-510. Changes in phone rates.

 Whenever the commission after a hearing finds that the existing rates in effect and collected by any telephone utility for any service are unjust, unreasonable, insufficient, unreasonably discriminatory, or in any way in violation of any provision of law, the commission shall determine the just, reasonable, and sufficient rates to be thereafter observed and in force and shall fix them by its order.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-401; 1952 Code Section 58-401; 1950 (46) 2466; 2006 Act No. 318, Section 43, eff May 24, 2006.
SC Code § 58-9-520 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 9 - Telephone, Telegraph And Express Companies|Section 58-9-520. Change in telephone rates initiated by utility; notice.

 Whenever a telephone utility desires to put into operation a new rate or tariff which affects the telephone utility's general body of subscribers, the telephone utility shall give the commission and the Office of Regulatory Staff not less than thirty days' notice of its intention to file and shall, after the expiration of the notice period, then file with the commission and provide to the Office of Regulatory Staff a schedule setting forth the proposed changes; provided, however, a hearing shall not be required when the proposed rate or tariff is a proposal to institute or modify an offering or regulation that is not part of a general rate case and does not affect the telephone utility's general body of subscribers. Subject to the provisions of subsections (B) and (C) of Section 58-9-540, the proposed changes must not be put into effect in full or in part until approved by the commission.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-402; 1952 Code Section 58-402; 1950 (46) 2466; 1983 Act No. 138 Section 2, eff June 15, 1983; 2006 Act No. 318, Section 44, eff May 24, 2006.
SC Code § 58-9-530 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 9 - Telephone, Telegraph And Express Companies|Section 58-9-530. Dispensing with thirty days' notice of rate change.

 The Commission, for good cause shown, may allow changes in rates without requiring the thirty days' notice under such conditions as it may prescribe, except that when changes in general schedules of rates and charges are involved, before they may become effective, notice to the public of such proposed changes shall be given by publication thereof once a week for two consecutive weeks in newspapers of general circulation in the territory involved and a hearing held thereon. All such changes shall be immediately indicated upon its schedules by such telephone utility.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-403; 1952 Code Section 58-403; 1950 (46) 2466.
SC Code § 58-9-570 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 9 - Telephone, Telegraph And Express Companies|Section 58-9-570. Factors which Commission shall consider in determining rates.

 In determining just, reasonable and sufficient rates the Commission shall give due consideration to the telephone utility's property devoted to the public service; the revenues received for the service; the reasonable operating expenses and other costs necessary to provide the service; the total earnings required for the proper discharge of the telephone utility's public duty; the capitalization of the telephone utility and the net income required on its net worth; and such other matters, circumstances and conditions as the Commission may find necessary. But the rates so fixed shall not be higher than necessary to give a fair return to the stockholders.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-407; 1952 Code Section 58-407; 1950 (46) 2466.