reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
SC Code § 58-9-575 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 9 - Telephone, Telegraph And Express Companies|Section 58-9-575. Alternative means of regulating telephone utilities.

 (A) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 58-9-570, in fixing rates and charges for a local exchange telephone utility, the commission may, upon the request of the telephone utility or upon motion of the Office of Regulatory Staff, consider in lieu of the procedures provided in this chapter, alternative means of regulating the telephone utility. If the commission determines that a local exchange telephone utility is subject to competition with respect to its services, the commission may implement regulatory alternatives including, but not limited to, equitable sharing of earnings between a local exchange telephone utility and its customers, consistent with the provisions of Section 58-9-330.  (B) The commission shall review and may authorize implementation of an alternative regulatory plan under subsection (A) if it finds after notice and hearing that the substantial evidence of record shows that the plan:  (1) is consistent with the public interest;  (2) does not jeopardize the availability of reasonably affordable and reliable telecommunications services;  (3) provides clearly identifiable benefits to consumers that are not otherwise available under existing regulatory procedures;  (4) will reduce regulatory delay and costs;  (5) provides adequate safeguards to consumers of telecommunications services, including other telecommunications companies, when such services are not readily available from alternative suppliers in the relevant geographic market;  (6) includes effective safeguards to assure that rates for noncompetitive services do not subsidize the prices charged for competitive services. In determining whether a service is competitive, the commission shall consider, at a minimum, the availability, market share, and price of comparable service alternatives;  (7) assures that rates for noncompetitive services are just, reasonable, or not unduly discriminatory and provide a contribution to basic local telephone service; and  (8) does not jeopardize the ability of the telephone utility to provide quality, affordable telecommunications service.  (C) The commission may, on the motion of the Office of Regulatory Staff or any interested party, review any decision adopting an alternative method of regulation for a local exchange telephone utility. After notice and opportunity to be heard and upon a showing by substantial evidence, the commission may impose regulatory standards consistent with the provisions of this chapter.  HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 347, Section 1, eff April 20, 1994; 2006 Act No. 318, Section 46, eff May 24, 2006.
SC Code § 58-9-577 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 9 - Telephone, Telegraph And Express Companies|Section 58-9-577. Approval of alternative form of regulation; conditions and effect of approval.

 Notwithstanding Sections 58-9-575 and 58-9-576, any small LEC may elect to have the rates, terms, and conditions of its services determined pursuant to alternative forms of regulation, which may differ among companies and may include, but not be limited to, price regulation, rather than rate of return or other forms of earning regulation. Upon application filed with the commission and served upon the Office of Regulatory Staff, the commission shall approve such alternative regulation or price regulation, which may differ among local exchange companies, upon finding that the plan as proposed:  (1) protects the affordability of basic local exchange telephone service, as such service is defined by the commission;  (2) reasonably assures the continuation of basic local exchange telephone service that meets reasonable service standards that the commission may adopt;  (3) will not unreasonably prejudice any class of telephone customers, including telecommunications companies;  (4) is not inconsistent with the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996; and  (5) is otherwise consistent with the public interest.  Upon approval of a price regulation plan, price regulation shall be the sole form of regulation imposed upon the electing local exchange carrier, and the commission shall regulate the electing local exchange carrier's prices rather than its earnings. The small LEC shall file a tariff with the commission for its local exchange services that sets out the terms and conditions of the services and the rates for these services. The small LEC also must provide a copy of the tariffs to the Office of Regulatory Staff. The tariff shall be presumed valid and shall become effective seven days after filing for price decreases and fourteen days after filing for price increases and new services, subject to a process in accordance with guidelines to be adopted by the commission. The commission shall issue an order denying or approving the proposed plan for alternative regulation or price regulation, with or without modification, not more than ninety days from the filing of the application. However, the commission may extend the time period for an additional sixty days, in the discretion of the commission. If the commission approves the application with modifications, the local exchange carrier, subject to such approval, may accept the modifications and implement the proposed plan as modified or may at its option:  (1) withdraw its application and continue to be regulated under the form of regulation that existed immediately before the filing of the application; or  (2) file another proposed plan for price regulation.  HISTORY: 1996 Act No. 354, Section 3, eff May 29, 1996; 2006 Act No. 318, Section 48, eff May 24, 2006.
SC Code § 58-9-585 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 9 - Telephone, Telegraph And Express Companies|Section 58-9-585. Alternative means of regulating interexchange telecommunications carrier.

 (A) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the commission, on the request of an interexchange telecommunications carrier, may consider, in lieu of the procedures outlined in this chapter, alternative means of regulating that carrier. If the commission first determines, after notice and hearing, that the substantial evidence of record shows that a particular service is competitive in the relevant geographic market, the commission may implement regulatory alternatives including, but not limited to, the provisions outlined in this section.  (B) If the commission determines that an interexchange telecommunications carrier service is competitive, the commission shall not fix or prescribe the rates, tolls, charges, or rate structures for that service. In determining whether a service is competitive, the commission shall consider, at a minimum, the availability, market share, and price of comparable service alternatives. The commission shall require that the interexchange telecommunications carriers file with the commission and maintain with the Office of Regulatory Staff price lists for competitive telecommunications services.  (C) The commission is authorized to reclassify a telecommunications service provided by an interexchange carrier as noncompetitive if, after notice and hearing, the substantial evidence of record shows that sufficient competition does not exist for that service.  (D) For an interexchange telecommunications carrier service found to be noncompetitive, the commission may implement other regulatory alternatives including, but not limited to, price caps.  (E) Nothing in this section limits any authority of the commission or the Office of Regulatory Staff with respect to the reporting requirements of interexchange telecommunications carriers to establish standards for the quality of service, resolution of complaints, privacy, and the ordering, installation, restoration, and disconnection of interexchange service.  (F) For the purposes of this section, the term "interexchange telecommunications carrier service" is limited to toll services provided by telephone utilities.  HISTORY: 1994 Act No. 332, Section 1, eff April 20, 1994; 2006 Act No. 318, Section 49, eff May 24, 2006.
SC Code § 58-9-710 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 9 - Telephone, Telegraph And Express Companies|Section 58-9-710. Orders for more reasonable, adequate and efficient service.

 Whenever the commission, after hearing, finds that the service of any telephone utility is not reasonably adequate and efficient, the commission shall make its findings and issue an order thereon requiring such telephone utility to provide reasonable, adequate, and efficient service.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-421; 1952 Code Section 58-421; 1950 (46) 2466; 2006 Act No. 318, Section 50, eff May 24, 2006.
SC Code § 58-9-720 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 9 - Telephone, Telegraph And Express Companies|Section 58-9-720. Miscellaneous regulations.

 The commission may ascertain and fix just and reasonable classifications, regulations, practices, or service to be furnished, imposed, observed, and followed by any or all telephone utilities, prescribe reasonable regulations for the examination and testing of such service and for the measurement thereof, establish or approve reasonable rules, regulations, specifications, and standards and provide for the examination and testing of any and all appliances used for the service of any telephone utility.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-422; 1952 Code Section 58-422; 1950 (46) 2466; 2006 Act No. 318, Section 50, eff May 24, 2006.
SC Code § 58-9-730 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 9 - Telephone, Telegraph And Express Companies|Section 58-9-730. Fixing value of utility.

 The commission may after hearing ascertain and fix the value of the whole or any part of the property of any telephone utility insofar as it is material to the exercise of the jurisdiction of the commission.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-423; 1952 Code Section 58-423; 1950 (46) 2466; 2006 Act No. 318, Section 50, eff May 24, 2006.
SC Code § 58-9-740 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 9 - Telephone, Telegraph And Express Companies|Section 58-9-740. Reparation orders.

 When petition has been made to the commission concerning any rate or charge for service performed by any telephone utility, and the commission has found after hearing that the telephone utility has charged an unreasonable, excessive, or discriminatory amount for such service, the commission may order that the telephone utility make due reparation to the petitioner therefor, with interest from the date of collection, if such reparation will not result in establishing unreasonable discrimination. No order for the payment of reparation upon the ground of unreasonableness shall be made by the commission in any instance wherein the rate or charge in question has been authorized by law. All petitions concerning unreasonable, excessive, or discriminatory charges on which reparation orders may be made shall be filed with the commission and provided to the Office of Regulatory Staff within two years from the time the cause of action accrues. No assignment of a reparation claim shall be recognized by the commission except assignments by operation of law as in case of death, insanity, bankruptcy, receivership, or order of court. The commission must not be a party to any reparation action.  The remedy in this section provided shall be cumulative and in addition to any other remedy in Articles 1 through 13 of this chapter provided in case of failure of a telephone utility to obey an order or decision of the commission.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-424; 1952 Code Section 58-424; 1950 (46) 2466; 2006 Act No. 318, Section 50, eff May 24, 2006.
SC Code § 58-9-750 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 9 - Telephone, Telegraph And Express Companies|Section 58-9-750. Suit to enforce reparation order.

 If the telephone utility does not comply with the order for the payment of reparation within the time specified in such order, suit may be instituted in any court of competent jurisdiction to recover such reparation and upon trial of such suit a duly certified copy of the order of the commission shall be prima facie evidence of the facts therein set forth. The suit for enforcement of the order shall be commenced in the court within one year from the date of the order of the commission.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-425; 1952 Code Section 58-425; 1950 (46) 2466; 2006 Act No. 318, Section 50, eff May 24, 2006.
SC Code § 58-9-760 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 9 - Telephone, Telegraph And Express Companies|Section 58-9-760. Joint investigations, hearings and orders with other state or Federal boards or commissions.

 The commission may hold joint hearings and issue joint or concurrent orders in conjunction or concurrence with any official board or commission of any state or of the United States. The Office of Regulatory Staff may make joint investigations with any official board or commission of any state or of the United States.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-426; 1952 Code Section 58-426; 1950 (46) 2466; 2006 Act No. 318, Section 50, eff May 24, 2006.
SC Code § 58-9-770 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 9 - Telephone, Telegraph And Express Companies|Section 58-9-770. Suits to discontinue or prevent violation of law or order.

 Whenever it shall appear that any telephone utility is failing or omitting, or about to fail or omit, to do anything required of it by law or by order of the commission or is doing anything, or about to do anything, or permitting anything, or about to permit anything, to be done contrary to or in violation of law or of any order of the commission, an action or proceeding shall be prosecuted by the regulatory staff in any court of competent jurisdiction in the name of the Office of Regulatory Staff or the State for the purpose of having such violation or threatened violation discontinued or prevented, either by mandamus, injunction, or other appropriate relief and in such action or proceeding it shall be permissible to join such other persons or corporations as parties thereto as may be reasonably necessary to make the order of the court in all respects effective.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-427; 1952 Code Section 58-427; 1950 (46) 2466; 2006 Act No. 318, Section 50, eff May 24, 2006.
SC Code § 58-9-780 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 9 - Telephone, Telegraph And Express Companies|Section 58-9-780. Investigations.

 The Office of Regulatory Staff may, whenever it may be appropriate in the performance of its duties, investigate and examine the condition and operation of telephone utilities or any particular telephone utility.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-428; 1952 Code Section 58-428; 1950 (46) 2466; 2006 Act No. 318, Section 50, eff May 24, 2006.
SC Code § 58-9-790 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 9 - Telephone, Telegraph And Express Companies|Section 58-9-790. Inspections of property; audits of records; examinations of officers and employees.

 The Office of Regulatory Staff may, after due notice to officers or managers of the company, inspect the property, plant, and facilities of any telephone utility at any and all times and inspect or audit at reasonable times the accounts, books, papers, and documents of any telephone utility. For such purposes an officer, employee, or agent of the Office of Regulatory Staff may during all reasonable hours enter upon any premises occupied by or under the control of any telephone utility. An officer, employee, or agent of the Office of Regulatory Staff authorized to administer oaths may examine under oath any officer, agent, or employee of such telephone utility in relation to the business and affairs of such telephone utility, but written record of the testimony or statement must be given under oath.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-429; 1952 Code Section 58-429; 1950 (46) 2466; 2006 Act No. 318, Section 50, eff May 24, 2006.
SC Code § 58-9-800 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 9 - Telephone, Telegraph And Express Companies|Section 58-9-800. Inspection and copying of tax returns, reports and other information.

 In the performance of its duties under Articles 1 through 13 of this chapter, any employee or agent of the Office of Regulatory Staff may inspect or make copies of all income, property, or other tax returns, reports or other information filed by telephone utilities with or otherwise obtained by any other department, commission, board, or agency of the state government and all such other departments, commissions, boards, or agencies of the state government shall permit such inspection or the making of such copies.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-430; 1952 Code Section 58-430; 1950 (46) 2466; 2006 Act No. 318, Section 50, eff May 24, 2006.
SC Code § 58-9-810 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 9 - Telephone, Telegraph And Express Companies|Section 58-9-810. Promulgation of rules and regulations.

 The commission may make such rules and regulations not inconsistent with law as may be proper in the exercise of its powers or for the performance of the duties set forth in Articles 1 through 13 of this chapter, all of which shall have the force of law.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-431; 1952 Code Section 58-431; 1950 (46) 2466; 2006 Act No. 318, Section 50, eff May 24, 2006.
SC Code § 58-9-820 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 9 - Telephone, Telegraph And Express Companies|Section 58-9-820. Enforcement powers generally.

 In addition to the foregoing expressly enumerated powers, the commission shall carry out by its order, ruling, or regulation and the Office of Regulatory Staff shall enforce, execute, and administer the provisions of Articles 1 through 13 of this chapter relating to the powers, duties, limitations, and restrictions imposed upon telephone utilities by Articles 1 through 13 of this chapter or any other provisions of the law of this State regulating telephone utilities.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-432; 1952 Code Section 58-432; 1950 (46) 2466; 2006 Act No. 318, Section 50, eff May 24, 2006.
SC Code § 58-9-830 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 9 - Telephone, Telegraph And Express Companies|Section 58-9-830. Enumeration of powers not exclusive.

 The enumeration of the powers of the commission as herein set forth shall not be construed to exclude the exercise of any power which the commission would otherwise have under the provisions of law.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-433; 1952 Code Section 58-433; 1950 (46) 2466; 2006 Act No. 318, Section 50, eff May 24, 2006.  ARTICLE 9  Telephone Companies - Commission Hearings, Investigations and Proceedings
SC Code § 58-9-1010 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 9 - Telephone, Telegraph And Express Companies|Section 58-9-1010. Hearing before one or more commissioners; approval of determination, ruling or order.

 Any hearing which the commission has power to hold, except matters pertaining to rate changes, may be held before any one or more of the commissioners, upon condition, however, that such commissioner or commissioners shall have been authorized by the commission to hold such hearing. Each hearing before any such commissioner or commissioners shall be deemed to be the hearing of the commission. Any determination, ruling, or order of a commissioner or commissioners, upon any such hearing held by him or them shall not become effective until due notice has been given to the commission and the Office of Regulatory Staff and it has been approved and confirmed by at least a quorum of the commission and ordered to be filed in its office with a copy to the Office of Regulatory Staff and any determination, ruling, or order involving the fixing or regulation of a general schedule of rates shall not become effective until due notice has been given the telephone utility concerned and an opportunity has been given the utility and the Office of Regulatory Staff to be heard before at least a quorum of the commission, and the determination, ruling, or order has been approved and confirmed by, at least a quorum of the commission. Upon such confirmation and order, such determination, ruling, or order shall be the determination, ruling, or order of the commission.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-441; 1952 Code Section 58-441; 1950 (46) 2466; 2006 Act No. 318, Section 51, eff May 24, 2006.
SC Code § 58-9-1020 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 9 - Telephone, Telegraph And Express Companies|Section 58-9-1020. Employment and duties of special agent or examiner.

 In any hearing the commission may employ a special agent or examiner, who may administer oaths, examine witnesses consistent with the Judicial Code of Conduct, and receive evidence in any locality which the commission, having regard to the public convenience and the proper discharge of its functions and duties, may designate. The testimony and evidence so taken or received shall have the same force and effect as if taken or received by the commission or any one or more of the commissioners as provided in Section 58-9-1010. But any hearing involving rates of any telephone utility shall be held before a majority of the full commission.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-442; 1952 Code Section 58-442; 1950 (46) 2466; 2006 Act No. 318, Section 52, eff May 24, 2006.
SC Code § 58-9-1030 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 9 - Telephone, Telegraph And Express Companies|Section 58-9-1030. Administration of oaths, examination of witnesses and certification of official acts.

 Each of the commissioners, for the purposes mentioned in Articles 1 through 13 of this chapter, may administer oaths, examine witnesses, and certify official acts.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-443; 1952 Code Section 58-443; 1950 (46) 2466; 2006 Act No. 318, Section 53, eff May 24, 2006.
SC Code § 58-9-1040 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 9 - Telephone, Telegraph And Express Companies|Section 58-9-1040. Issuance of subpoenas and other process.

 The commission and each commissioner may issue subpoenas, subpoenas duces tecum, and all other necessary processes in proceedings pending before it and these processes extend to all parts of the State and may be served by any person authorized by law to serve processes.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-444; 1952 Code Section 58-444; 1950 (46) 2466; 2006 Act No. 318, Section 54, eff May 24, 2006.