reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
V.I. Code tit. 30, § 303 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 30 - Public Service|Chapter 8 - Cable Telecommunications|§ 303. Definitions

 As used in this chapter, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: (a) “Broadband telecommunications” means any receipt or transmission of electromagnetic signals, including broadcast and non-broadcast signals, cable service, and telecommunications service, over coaxial cable, optical fiber, or any other transmission medium; (b) “Cable service” means the provision by a cable television company of any communication service provided over a cable system, but does not include telephone service; (c) “Cable subscriber” means any person who receives electromagnetic signals distributed over a cable television system; (d) “Cable television company” means any person owning, controlling, operating, managing or leasing a cable television system within the territory; (e) “Cable television system” means a facility which consists of a primary control center used to receive and retransmit, or to originate broadband telecommunications service over coaxial cables, optical fibers, or other transmission media, from the primary control center to a point of reception at the premises of a cable subscriber, whether or not the public right-of-way is used; (f) “Commission” means the Public Services Commission; (g) “Executive Director” means the Executive Director of the Public Services Commission; (h) “Franchise” means any authorization granted to a cable television company pursuant to this chapter to construct, operate, or maintain a cable television system; (i) “Gross subscriber receipts” means any compensation received by a cable television company from its subscribers; gross subscriber receipts shall not include any taxes collected by a cable television company for a governmental unit; (j) “Highway” means every street, road, alley, thoroughfare, way or place of any kind used by the public or open to the use of the public; (k) “Pay cable programming” means programming, exclusive of broadcast signals, carried on a cable television system for which a separate charge is made or designated to the subscribers; (l) “Public utility” means any person whose rates are regulated by the federal or territorial government and who owns or controls poles, ducts, conduits, or rights-of-way used for wire communication. Such term specifically includes any person who is cooperatively organized, or any person owned by the federal or territorial government, but does not include a cable television company or a cable television system; (m) “Rates” means the charges for initial installation and monthly subscriptions, in payment of programs received other than pay cable programming.
V.I. Code tit. 30, § 304 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 30 - Public Service|Chapter 8 - Cable Telecommunications|§ 304. Duties and jurisdiction of Commission

 (a) The Commission shall supervise and regulate the cable service and rates of every cable television company or system operating within the territory, so far as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter, and to do all things, whether herein specifically designated or in addition thereto, which are necessary or appropriate in the exercise of such authority and jurisdiction. (b) The Commission may promulgate, issue, amend, and rescind such reasonable rules, regulations, and orders not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter, as it may deem necessary to accomplish the purposes of this chapter. (c) The Commission may, after affording an opportunity for a hearing, order a cable television company: (1) to construct and operate any reasonable extension of its existing cable television system; or (2) to make any reasonable repair or improvement of or addition to such system. (d) If the Commission finds that any individual proprietor, partner or officer, director or substantial shareholder of a cable television company has been convicted of a felony, the Commission may order such person to divest of all ownership interest in, to resign any position with, and thereafter to refrain from any relationship with, the cable television company. (e) The Commission or other aggrieved party may institute, or intervene as a party in, any action in any court of competent jurisdiction seeking mandamus, injunctive, or other relief to compel compliance with this chapter or any rule, regulation, or order adopted thereunder, or to restrain or otherwise prevent or prohibit any illegal or unauthorized conduct in connection therewith.
V.I. Code tit. 30, § 305 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 30 - Public Service|Chapter 8 - Cable Telecommunications|§ 305. Franchise for construction or operation of systems; non-exclusiveness

 No person shall construct or operate a cable television company or system within the territory, except as provided in this chapter. Any franchise authorized under this chapter shall be nonexclusive.
V.I. Code tit. 30, § 306 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 30 - Public Service|Chapter 8 - Cable Telecommunications|§ 306. Operating cable systems

 Any cable television company which was lawfully engaged in actual operations of a cable television system serving at least 50 subscribers on January 1, 1984, may continue to operate, maintain and manage that cable system and to that end the Commission is hereby directed to issue a franchise to such cable television company, provided however that such company must file with the Commission on or before January 1, 1985, a sworn statement agreeing to comply with the conditions set forth in section 310 of this chapter, and containing such information and supportive documentation as set forth in section 308 of this chapter. The Commission shall thereupon issue said franchise consistent with the provisions of section 307 of this chapter.
V.I. Code tit. 30, § 307 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 30 - Public Service|Chapter 8 - Cable Telecommunications|§ 307. Franchise requirements

 The following conditions shall apply to any franchise granted: (a) The franchise term shall be for a period of fifteen (15) years. (b) Except for those operating cable systems to which section 306 of this chapter applies, the franchise shall be granted only after a performance bond is furnished to the Government of the Virgin Islands, through the Commission, equivalent to 25% of the projected investment, and guaranteeing the implementation of the franchise. At least one-half of the proposed cable television system will be constructed within two years, subject to the availability of poles for attachment and the cooperation of the public utilities which are involved in said construction. The conditions and terms of said bond shall be in accordance with section 310 of this chapter. (c) The franchise shall include a provision for two (2) channels on a daily basis through the cable television system's facilities to be made available upon request of the Government of the Virgin Islands through the Commission. The availability and administration of this government access channel shall be the responsibility of the Commission. However, the availability and administration of all cable system production facilities including equipment and personnel will remain under the exclusive control of the cable system and all reasonable production costs will be assumed by the Government of the Virgin Islands in accordance with a schedule of charges to be provided by the cable system and approved by the Commission. (d) [Deleted.] (e) The franchise shall require a well-structured local employment plan, as well as an apprenticeship and training program, which will provide employment and management opportunity to Virgin Islands residents. (f) Franchises shall be awarded for an area no larger than a district. The districts shall be as follows: (1) St. Croix; and (2) St. Thomas-St. John. However, other islands and cays adjacent to such districts may be included with those districts for the purposes of the franchise. The grant of an initial franchise or any renewal thereof by the Commission shall not become final until approved by the Legislature, except for those initial franchises issued pursuant to section 306 of this chapter. (g) The franchise shall require the establishment of a 24-hour telephone service for receipt of service calls. (h) The franchise shall require the purchase of an insurance policy, the face value of which must be at least equal to the replacement value of the cable television system. The purpose of this requirement is to ensure prompt restoration of service in the event of any catastrophe affecting the cable television system. (i) The franchise shall require the establishment and maintenance of a standby power capability for operation of the cable television system.
V.I. Code tit. 30, § 308 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 30 - Public Service|Chapter 8 - Cable Telecommunications|§ 308. Franchise applications

 No franchise, except in the case of an operating cable system upon filing of a sworn statement pursuant to section 306 of this chapter, or renewal thereof shall be issued except upon written application to the Commission. Such application shall contain such information as the Commission may reasonably prescribe, including: (1) the citizenship and character of the applicant; (2) the financial, technical and other qualifications of the applicant to operate the system; (3) complete information as to its principals and ultimate beneficial owners, including, in the case of corporations, all stockholders owning five percent (5%) or more, both nominal and beneficial, of the issued and outstanding stock and, in the case of unincorporated associations, all members and ultimate beneficial owners, however designated; (4) complete information on the extent and quality of service, number of channels, hours of operation, variety of programs, local coverage, safety measures, and proposed rates; (5) equipment to be employed in rendering service and the source of funds for the purchase, lease, rental and installation of the equipment; (6) the routes of the wires and cables; (7) the area to be served; (8) the approximate starting and completion dates of construction of the system and the date service will actually be available to the area named; (9) the local office or representative to receive subscriber payments; and (10) such other information as the Commission may require. Such application shall be signed by the applicant. Amendments to the franchise may be made pursuant to this chapter and regulations promulgated by the Commission.
V.I. Code tit. 30, § 309 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 30 - Public Service|Chapter 8 - Cable Telecommunications|§ 309. Public hearing on franchise application

 No franchise, except for a franchise granted pursuant to section 306 of this chapter, or amendment thereto shall be granted pursuant to this chapter until the Commission has held a public hearing. The Commission shall cause notice of the time, date and place of such hearing, as well as the subject matter sufficient for the general public's identification, to be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the judicial division the applicant proposes to serve. Said publication shall appear once in each of two successive weeks, with the first publication being not less than fourteen days before the day of such hearing. The Commission shall issue a public statement in writing containing the reasons for its grant or rejection of any application.
V.I. Code tit. 30, § 311 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 30 - Public Service|Chapter 8 - Cable Telecommunications|§ 311. Franchise fee

 (a) Each franchisee shall quarterly pay to the Virgin Islands Bureau of Internal Revenue a franchise fee equal to five percent (5%) of the franchisee's gross subscriber receipts for that quarter. (b) Any franchise fees under subsection (a) of this section not paid within fifteen (15) days of the end of the applicable quarter shall be charged a penalty equal to five percent (5%) of the amount of franchise fee in arrears for each week or part thereof that the fee remains unpaid. (c) The first quarterly payment under subsection (a) must be made by April 1, 1985, and becomes delinquent on April 15, 1985. Subsequent quarterly payments must be made every three (3) months thereafter.
V.I. Code tit. 30, § 312 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 30 - Public Service|Chapter 8 - Cable Telecommunications|§ 312. Renewal and extension

 (a) In any case in which a cable television system franchisee submits an application to the Commission for the renewal or extension of its franchise authorization, the Commission may refuse to grant such renewal or other extension only in accordance with section 626(c)(1) of the federal Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984. (b) A cable television system franchisee must file for renewal at least 12 months before the expiration of the franchise. The Commission must consider the renewal within 120 days of submission of the application and conduct any proceedings necessary to adequately consider the application. (c) The Commission shall: (1) negotiate in good faith with any cable television system regarding franchise renewal within 30 days after the completion of proceedings pursuant to subsection (b) of this section; (2) make a final decision on granting or denying renewal within 6 months after receipt of an application; and (3) in the case of the denial of an application, notify the applicant by written statement within 15 days after the final decision of the reasons for the denial. (d) Any renewal applicant adversely affected or aggrieved by a final decision of the Commission made pursuant to this section, or by a failure of the Commission to act in accordance with subsection (c) of this section, may obtain judicial review of such final decision in the District Court of the Virgin Islands. The existing franchise shall remain in effect pending the completion of such judicial review.
V.I. Code tit. 30, § 313 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 30 - Public Service|Chapter 8 - Cable Telecommunications|§ 313. Franchise transfers or assignments

 No franchise or control thereof shall be transferred or assigned without the prior written consent of the Commission. Such consent shall be given only after a hearing upon a written application therefor. The application for consent to a transfer or assignment shall be signed by the franchisee and by the proposed transferee or assignee.
V.I. Code tit. 30, § 314 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 30 - Public Service|Chapter 8 - Cable Telecommunications|§ 314. Revocation of franchise

 Any franchise may, after hearing, be revoked by the Commission for any of the following reasons: (a) false or misleading statements in, or material omissions from, any applications or periodic statements submitted under this chapter; (b) failure to file and maintain a bond or insurance as required by this chapter; (c) repeated violations, as determined by the Commission, of commitments and obligations of a franchisee as set forth in this chapter or for repeated violations of the terms of its franchise; (d) repeated failure, as determined by the Commission, to maintain signal quality under standards provided for by the Federal Communications Commission; (e) any transfer or assignment of a franchise or control thereof without consent in violation of section 313 of this chapter; or (f) failure to complete construction in accordance with the provisions of section 307, subsection (b), and section 310, subsections (m) and (n) of this chapter.
V.I. Code tit. 30, § 315 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 30 - Public Service|Chapter 8 - Cable Telecommunications|§ 315. Rates

 (a) The rates charged by a cable television company shall be those specified in the franchise which may establish or provide for the establishment of reasonable classifications of service and categories of subscribers, or charge different rates for different services or for subscribers in different categories. Except as otherwise provided in subsections (c) and (d) of this section, such rates, classifications or categories may be changed by amendment to the franchise with Commission approval, upon request by the franchisee to the Commission. (b) The rates to be specified in any franchise issued to an operating cable system pursuant to section 306 of this chapter shall be those rates charged by that cable system and in effect on December 28, 1984. (c) Any rate regulated pursuant to this section maybe increased annually at the discretion of the franchisee upon 30 days prior notice by an amount not to exceed 5 percent per year. Such notice shall be given the Commission and all subscribers. (d) The franchisee may add to the monthly service charge any increase in copyright fees required of the franchisee imposed after January 1, 1985, by the copyright Royalty Tribunal prorated over all subscribers on the cable television system. (e) Any request for an increase in any rate regulated pursuant to subsection (a) of this section for which final action is not taken within 180 days after receipt of such request by the Commission shall be deemed to be granted, unless the 180-day period is extended by mutual agreement of the franchisee and the Commission.
V.I. Code tit. 30, § 317 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 30 - Public Service|Chapter 8 - Cable Telecommunications|§ 317. Duties of owners and landlords

 No owner of any dwelling or private housing development or subdivision or his agent shall forbid or prevent any tenant or resident of such dwelling or private housing development or subdivision from receiving cable television service, nor demand or accept payment in any form as a condition of permitting the installation of such service in the dwelling or private housing development or subdivision or portion thereof occupied by such tenant or resident as his place of residence, nor discriminate in rental charges, homeowner's fees, or otherwise against any such tenant or resident receiving cable television service; provided, however, that such owner or his agent may require that the installation of cable television facilities conform to all reasonable conditions necessary to protect the safety, functioning, appearance and value of the premises and the convenience, safety and well-being of other tenants or residents; and provided, further, that a cable television company installing any such facilities for the benefit of a tenant or resident in any dwelling or private housing development or subdivision shall agree to indemnify the owner thereof for any damage caused by the installation, operation or removal of such facilities and for any liability which may arise out of such installation, operation or removal.
V.I. Code tit. 30, § 318 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 30 - Public Service|Chapter 8 - Cable Telecommunications|§ 318. Duties of cable television companies; prohibited activities

 (a) A cable television company shall provide safe, adequate and proper service, equipment and facilities for the operation of its cable television system. (b) A cable television company shall not demand or receive a greater compensation for providing cable television service than the rates specified in the franchise in effect at the time, or as modified pursuant to section 315 of this chapter. (c) A cable television company shall obey and comply with every rule, regulation, and order adopted or issued by the Commission. (d) A cable television company shall not maintain or enforce any rule, regulation, practice or measurement which shall be unjust, unreasonable, unduly preferential, arbitrarily or unjustly discriminatory or in violation of the law. (e) A cable television company shall not withhold or refuse service which reasonably can be demanded or furnished or refuse to furnish or supply service to or for any building or premises by reason of a bill remaining unpaid by a previous occupant, provided that the person applying for service shall not be in arrears to such cable television company for service.
V.I. Code tit. 30, § 319 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 30 - Public Service|Chapter 8 - Cable Telecommunications|§ 319. Censorship prohibited

 (a) The Commission may not prohibit or limit any program or any class or type of program or otherwise censor the communications or signals transmitted by any cable television company or over any cable television system, and may not promulgate any rule, regulation, or condition which would interfere with the right of free speech by means of cable television. (b) The Commission may not impose discriminatory or preferential franchise fees in any manner that would tend to encourage or discourage programming of any particular nature. (c) A cable television company may not prohibit or limit any program or type of program presented over a leased channel or any channel made available for public or government access or educational purposes.
V.I. Code tit. 30, § 320 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 30 - Public Service|Chapter 8 - Cable Telecommunications|§ 320. Exemption from liability for obscenity, defamation and invasion of privacy

 Neither the cable television company whose facilities are used to transmit a program produced by a person other than such cable television company pursuant to the provisions of this chapter or of federal law, or of applicable regulations, nor the officers, directors or employees of any cable television company shall be liable for damages arising from any obscene or defamatory statements or actions or invasion of privacy occurring during such program.
V.I. Code tit. 30, § 321 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 30 - Public Service|Chapter 8 - Cable Telecommunications|§ 321. Periodic financial statements

 Each franchisee shall file quarterly with the Commission a statement of gross quarterly subscriber receipts for official use only, together with any franchise fee payment which may be due pursuant to section 311 of this chapter. In addition, each such franchisee shall file with the Commission an annual statement of gross subscriber receipts. Such statements shall be sworn to by a certified public accountant and by the owner or, if the owner is a corporation, by an officer of the corporation.
V.I. Code tit. 30, § 322 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 30 - Public Service|Chapter 8 - Cable Telecommunications|§ 322. Complaint; procedure

 (a) Complaints by any subscriber as to the operation of any cable television service, system or company may be filed in writing with the Commission. The Commission shall within thirty (30) days of the receipt of such complaint report in writing to the subscriber as to the disposition or status of his complaint. Any subscriber or cable television service, system or company aggrieved by the action of the Commission in connection with such complaint or dispute, or any subscriber who shall not have received the written report required under this section within thirty (30) days, may petition the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands for a hearing upon said complaint. (b) Each franchisee shall provide to each subscriber to its cable television service, at the time of his becoming a subscriber and at least once in each calendar year thereafter while he remains a subscriber, information as to the identity and location of the Commission and the business office or representative required under subsection (c) of this section, and of the procedure to be followed in making and pursuing complaints to the Commission pursuant to this section. (c) A franchise issued pursuant to this chapter shall require the franchisee to maintain a local business office or representative in each district of operation and service for the purpose of receiving, investigating, and resolving all complaints regarding the quality of service, equipment malfunctions, and similar matters.