reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
SC Code § 58-1-65 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 1 - General Provisions|Section 58-1-65. South Carolina public water impoundments for federally regulated hydroelectric projects; programs to combat growth of aquatic weeds; hold harmless statute for owners and operators.

 (A) The General Assembly finds:  (1) The use of South Carolina public water impoundments for federally regulated hydroelectric projects are being endangered due to the uncontrolled growth of aquatic weeds.  (2) In an effort to manage aquatic weeds in the impoundments, the Department of Natural Resources in conjunction with the owners and operators of the water impoundments for federally regulated hydroelectric projects have developed programs to combat the growth of aquatic weeds. These programs are funded in part by revenue appropriated to the Department of Natural Resources in Part 1, Section 47 of the 1995-96 general appropriations act, by revenue of certain federal programs, and by contributions by the owners and operators of the federally regulated hydroelectric projects. However, the programs are exclusively managed and controlled by the Department of Natural Resources.  (3) In order to continue the program, the owners and operators must have protection from actions by the Department of Natural Resources for any liability which they may incur due to the actions of the department or its agents. Therefore, the State in this section is enacting a hold harmless statute for the owners and operators of the water impoundments for federally regulated hydroelectric projects.  (B) There is no liability on the part of, and no cause of action against, owners and operators of water impoundments for federally regulated hydroelectric projects for any and all acts, events, occurrences, or future consequences of any treatment by the Department of Natural Resources, its agents or independent contractors, in providing for the management of aquatic weeds. The immunity for owners and operators of water impoundments for federally regulated hydroelectric projects also extends to any liability arising as a result of actions by individuals who without permission from the owner and operator treat, spray, or in any fashion attempt to manage aquatic weeds in the impoundment.  (C) The department shall use the funds appropriated to it in fiscal year 1995-96 as referenced above to implement and give effect to the provisions of this section in the manner it considers appropriate.  HISTORY: 1995 Act No. 145, Part II, Section 92, eff June 29, 1995.
SC Code § 58-2-100 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 2 - Utility Service Where State Boundaries Clarified|Section 58-2-100. Utility service.

 Upon the effective date of the amendments to Section 1-1-10, which are effective January 1, 2017, the clarified North Carolina-South Carolina boundary property located in whole or in part in North Carolina immediately prior to that date and receiving utility service from a North Carolina utility as defined under North Carolina law, may continue to receive utility service from that utility or its successors although the property is determined to be located in whole or in part in South Carolina as a result of the boundary clarification. The owners of that property have the option of requesting utility service by a similar South Carolina utility if the property is located within that utility's service area, regardless of whether the property is inside or outside a municipality. For purposes of this section only, the term "utility" shall encompass the same utilities that are covered by one or more of the various definitions for utilities and utility providers used elsewhere in the general law of this State including, but not limited to, systems owned or operated by or on behalf of a municipality or county; municipal systems as authorized in Chapter 31, Title 5; "public utility" as defined in Section 58-3-5; "telephone cooperative" as defined in Section 33-46-20; "cooperative" as used in Chapter 36, Title 33; "corporations not for profit" as used in Chapter 49, Title 33; "special purpose" and "public service districts" as authorized in Chapter 11, Title 6; "rural community water districts" as authorized in Chapter 13, Title 6; "joint municipal water systems" as authorized in Chapter 25, Title 6; "joint agency" as authorized in Chapter 24, Title 6; "natural gas authorities" created by act of the General Assembly, or are otherwise similar to utilities defined under North Carolina law.  HISTORY: 2016 Act No. 270 (S.667), Section 20, eff January 1, 2017.
SC Code § 58-3-5 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 3 - Public Service Commission|Section 58-3-5. Definitions.

 As used in this chapter:  (1) "Business with which he is associated" means a business of which the person or a member of his immediate family is a director, an officer, owner, employee, a compensated agent, or holder of stock.  (2) "Immediate family" means an individual who is:  (a) a child residing in the person's household;  (b) a spouse of the person; or  (c) an individual claimed by the person or the person's spouse as a dependent for income tax purposes.  (3) "Commission" means the Public Service Commission.  (4) "Hearing officer" means a person employed by the commission to serve as a presiding officer in an adjudicative proceeding before the commission.  (5) "Regulatory staff" means the executive director or the executive director and employees of the Office of Regulatory Staff.  (6) "Public utility" means public utility as defined in Section 58-5-10, telephone utility as defined in Section 58-9-10, government-owned telecommunications service provider as defined in Section 58-9-2610, radio common carrier as defined in Section 58-11-10, carriers governed by Chapter 13 of Title 58, railroads and railways as defined in Section 58-17-10, motor vehicle carrier as defined in Section 58-23-10, or electrical utility as defined in Section 58-27-10.  (7) "Review committee" means the State Regulation of Public Utilities Review Committee.  HISTORY: 2004 Act No. 175, Section 4, eff February 18, 2004.
SC Code § 58-3-10 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 3 - Public Service Commission|Section 58-3-10. Continuation of Public Service Commission.

 (A) The commission, as constituted under law in effect before February 18, 2004, by the Governor, is reconstituted to continue in existence with the appointment and qualification of the members as prescribed in this article and with the changes in duties and powers as prescribed in this title.  (B) Nothing in this act affects the commission's jurisdiction over matters pending before the commission, on or before February 18, 2004.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-51; 1952 Code Section 58-51; 1942 Code Section 8199; 1932 Code Section 8243; 1922 (32) 956; 1935 (39) 25; 2004 Act No. 175, Section 4, eff February 18, 2004.
SC Code § 58-3-24 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 3 - Public Service Commission|Section 58-3-24. General Assembly members and immediate family ineligible for election to commission.

 No member of the General Assembly or member of his immediate family shall be elected to the commission while the member is serving in the General Assembly; nor shall a member of the General Assembly or a member of his immediate family be elected to the Public Service Commission for a period of four years after the member either:  (1) ceases to be a member of the General Assembly; or  (2) fails to file for election to the General Assembly in accordance with Section 7-11-15.  HISTORY: 1979 Act No. 167 Section 4, eff July 1, 1979; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1550, eff July 1, 1993; 2004 Act No. 175, Section 4, eff February 18, 2004.
SC Code § 58-3-25 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 3 - Public Service Commission|Section 58-3-25. Conflict of interest; commission members and employees.

 (A) Unless otherwise provided by law, no person may serve as a member of the commission if the commission regulates any business with which that person is associated.  (B) If the commission regulates a business with which an employee of the commission is associated, the employee must annually file a statement of economic interests notwithstanding the provisions of Section 8-13-1110.  (C) No person may be an employee of the commission if the commission regulates a business with which the employee is associated, and this relationship creates a continuing or frequent conflict with the performance of his official responsibilities.  HISTORY: 2004 Act No. 175, Section 4, eff February 18, 2004.  Editor's Note  A previous Section 58-3-25, derived from 1979 Act No. 167, Section 5, pertained to the criteria for selecting persons for nomination to the Public Service Commission. This section was repealed by 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1617(A), eff July 1, 1993.
SC Code § 58-3-30 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 3 - Public Service Commission|Section 58-3-30. Oaths; Code of Judicial Conduct applicable; ethics and the Administrative Procedure Act workshop.

 (A) The commissioners shall take the oath of office provided by the Constitution and the oaths prescribed by law for state officers.  (B) The commissioners and commission employees are bound by the Code of Judicial Conduct, as contained in Rule 501 of the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules, except as provided in Section 58-3-260, and the State Ethics Commission must enforce and administer those rules pursuant to Section 8-13-320. In addition, commissioners and commission employees must comply with the applicable requirements of Chapter 13 of Title 8.  (C) Each year, the commissioners and their employees must attend a workshop of at least six contact hours concerning ethics and the Administrative Procedures Act. This workshop must be developed with input from the review committee.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-53; 1952 Code Section 58-53; 1942 Code Section 8200; 1932 Code Section 8244; 1922 (32) 956; 1932 (37) 1380; 1935 (39) 25; 2004 Act No. 175, Section 4, eff February 18, 2004.
SC Code § 58-3-40 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 3 - Public Service Commission|Section 58-3-40. Election of chairman; hearing officer.

 (A) The commission must elect one of its members as chairman for a period of two years.  (B) The chairman is the chief executive and administrative officer of the commission.  (C)(1) Upon the request of any party or any commissioner, the commission may employ a hearing officer who may hear and determine procedural motions or other matters not determinative of the merits of the proceedings and made prior to hearing; and, at the hearing, shall make all rulings on nondispositive motions and objections. If qualified pursuant to item (3), a commission staff attorney may serve as hearing officer.  (2) The hearing officer has full authority, subject to being overruled by the commission, to rule on questions concerning the conduct of the case and the admission of evidence but may not participate in the determination on the merits of any case.  (3) The hearing officer must be an attorney qualified to practice in all courts of this State with a minimum of eight years' practice experience.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-54; 1952 Code Section 58-54; 1942 Code Section 8201; 1932 Code Section 8245; 1922 (32) 956; 1979 Act No. 167 Section 7, eff July 1, 1979; 2004 Act No. 175, Section 4, eff February 18, 2004.
SC Code § 58-3-50 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 3 - Public Service Commission|Section 58-3-50. Administration of oaths.

 The clerk of the commission may administer oaths.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-55; 1952 Code Section 58-55; 1942 Code Section 8292-22; 1932 Code Section 8283; Civ. C. '22 Section 4831; Civ. C. '12 Section 3155; Civ. C. '02 Section 2077; G. S. 1465; R. S. 1640; 1892 (21) 16; 1935 (39) 25; 2004 Act No. 175, Section 4, eff February 18, 2004.
SC Code § 58-3-60 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 3 - Public Service Commission|Section 58-3-60. Employment of clerk, attorneys and other staff; salaries; travel authorization and approval; exception as to functions of Office of Regulatory Staff

 (A) The commission is authorized and empowered to employ: a chief clerk and deputy clerk; a commission attorney and assistant commission attorneys; hearing officers; hearing reporters; and such other professional, administrative, technical, and clerical personnel as the commission determines to be necessary in the proper discharge of the commission's duties and responsibilities as provided by law. The chairman must organize and direct the work of the commission staff. The salaries of the chairman, the commissioners, and the chief clerk shall not be construed as limiting the maximum salary which may be paid to other employees of the Public Service Commission. The commission staff shall not appear as a party in commission proceedings and shall not offer testimony on issues before the commission.  (B) Subject to Section 58-3-580, the commission must be staffed and equipped to perform the functions set forth in this title except for those responsibilities and functions reserved to the Office of Regulatory Staff. The expenses must be paid from the assessments collected pursuant to Section 58-3-100. The chairman, within allowed budgetary limits and as otherwise allowed by law, must authorize and approve travel, subsistence, and related expenses of personnel incurred while traveling on official business.  (C) The commissioners shall not supervise the Office of Regulatory Staff.  (D) The commission shall not inspect, audit, or examine public utilities. The inspection, auditing, and examination of public utilities is solely the responsibility of the Office of Regulatory Staff.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-56; 1952 Code Section 58-56; 1942 Code Section 8519; 1932 Code Section 8519; 1925 (34) 252; 1950 (46) 2466; 1983 Act No. 138, Section 11, eff June 15, 1983; 2004 Act No. 175, Section 4, eff January 1, 2005.
SC Code § 58-3-70 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 3 - Public Service Commission|Section 58-3-70. Compensation of commission members; limitations on other employment.

 The chairman and members of the commission shall receive annual salaries payable in the same manner as the salaries of other state officers are paid. Each commissioner must devote full time to his duties as a commissioner and must not engage in any other employment, business, profession, or vocation during the normal business hours of the commission.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-57; 1952 Code Section 58-57; 1942 Code Section 8201; 1932 Code Section 8245; 1922 (32) 956; 1951 (47) 506; 1964 (53) 1918; 2004 Act No. 175, Section 4, eff February 18, 2004.
SC Code § 58-3-90 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 3 - Public Service Commission|Section 58-3-90. Meetings of Commission; quorum.

 The commission must meet at least once each month, and the chairman must call a meeting at any other time upon the written request of any two members of the commission. A majority of the commissioners constitutes a quorum for the transaction of all business pertaining to their office.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-59; 1952 Code Section 58-59; 1942 Code Section 8201; 1932 Code Section 8245; 1922 (32) 956; 2004 Act No. 175, Section 4, eff February 18, 2004.
SC Code § 58-3-100 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 3 - Public Service Commission|Section 58-3-100. Assessment for expenses of Commission; Commission an other-funded agency.

 Except as specifically provided in Sections 58-5-940 and 58-27-50, all other expenses of the Public Service Commission must be borne by the public utilities subject to the commission's jurisdiction. On or before the first day of July in each year, the Department of Revenue must assess each public utility, railway company, household goods carrier, and hazardous waste for disposal carrier its proportion of the expenses in proportion to its gross income from operation in this State in the year ending on the thirtieth day of June preceding that on which the assessment is made which is due and payable on or before July fifteenth. The assessments must be charged against the companies by the Department of Revenue and collected by the department in the manner provided by law for the collection of taxes from the companies including the enforcement and collection provisions of Article 1, Chapter 54 of Title 12 and paid, less the department's actual incremental increase in the cost of administration into the state treasury as other taxes collected by the department.  The commission must certify to the South Carolina Department of Revenue annually, but no later than May first, the amounts to be assessed.  The commission shall operate as an other-funded agency.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-60; 1952 Code Section 58-60; 1942 Code Sections 8205, 8232, 8292-11, 8543; 1932 Code Sections 8249, 8250, 8292, 8543; Civ. C. '22 Sections 4810, 4840, 5026; Civ. C. '12 Sections 3141, 3164, 3328; Civ. C. '02 Sections 2066, 2221; G. S. 1453, 1454; R. S. 1626, 1628, 1629; 1882 (17) 817; 1892 (21) 10; 1898 (22) 780; 1904 (24) 496; 1922 (32) 956; 1935 (39) 25; 1982 Act No. 331, Section 1, eff April 9, 1982; 1989 Act No. 184, Section 1, eff June 8, 1989; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1552, eff July 1, 1993; 1994 Act No. 497, Part II, Section 12A, eff July 1, 1994; 1995 Act No. 145, Part II, Section 68A, eff May 1, 1996; 2004 Act No. 175, Section 4, eff February 18, 2004; 2006 Act No. 318, Section 1, eff May 24, 2006.  Editor's Note  1994 Act No. 497, Part II, Section 12B, C, provide as follows:  "B. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 58-3-100 of the 1976 Code as amended by subsection A of this section and in fiscal year 1994-95 only, the Public Service Commission must generate at least $2,849,177 from motor transport fees, registration fees, and commission assessments for deposit to the credit of the general fund of the State.  "C. The Public Service Commission shall work with the staff of the Governor's Office, the House and Senate budget writing committees, and the motor carrier industry to determine whether an adjustment should be made in the license fees charged to motor carriers beginning Fiscal Year 1995-96. This review must be made with the goal of reducing or eliminating the subsidy by motor carriers to the general fund."
SC Code § 58-3-110 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 3 - Public Service Commission|Section 58-3-110. Advance of funds for office of Commission.

 The appropriation for the commission's office must be advanced by the State until it has been collected from the corporations liable therefor and, when collected, must be placed in the state treasury.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-61; 1952 Code Section 58-61; 1942 Code Section 3195; 1932 Code Section 3195; Civ. C. '22 Section 891; Civ. C. '12 Section 811; 1909 (26) 281; 1935 (39) 25; 2004 Act No. 175, Section 4, eff February 18, 2004.
SC Code § 58-3-130 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 3 - Public Service Commission|Section 58-3-130. State agencies, boards, and commissions must supply records and information to Commission.

 Upon demand by the Office of Regulatory Staff, each state department, board, and commission, and each officer or agent of the State must furnish to the Office of Regulatory Staff, for inspection and confidential use, any record or information on file with the department, board, commission, or officer, as appropriate, concerning the property values, operation, income, or other matter of any person doing business as a public utility in this State.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-63; 1952 Code Section 58-63; 1942 Code Section 8216; 1932 Code Section 8258; 1930 (36) 1297; 1935 (39) 25; 2004 Act No. 175, Section 4, eff January 1, 2005.
SC Code § 58-3-140 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 3 - Public Service Commission|Section 58-3-140. Powers to regulate public utilities.

 (A) Except as otherwise provided in Chapter 9 of this title, the commission is vested with power and jurisdiction to supervise and regulate the rates and service of every public utility in this State and to fix just and reasonable standards, classifications, regulations, practices, and measurements of service to be furnished, imposed, or observed, and followed by every public utility in this State.  (B) The commission must develop and publish a policy manual which must set forth guidelines for the administration of the commission. All procedures must incorporate state requirements and good management practices to ensure the efficient and economical utilization of resources.  (C) The commission must facilitate access to its general rate request orders in contested matters involving more than one hundred thousand dollars by publishing an order guide which indexes and cross-references orders by subject matter and case name. The order guide must be made available for public inspection.  (D) The commission must promulgate regulations to require the direct testimony of witnesses appearing on behalf of utilities and of witnesses appearing on behalf of persons having formal intervenor status, such testimony to be reduced to writing and prefiled with the commission in advance of any hearing.  (E) Nothing in this section may be interpreted to repeal or modify specific exclusions from the commission's jurisdiction pursuant to Title 58 or any other title.  (F) When required to be filed, tariffs must be filed with the office of the chief clerk of the commission and, on that same day, provided to the Executive Director of the Office of Regulatory Staff.  HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 58-1; 1952 Code Section 58-1; 1942 Code Section 8204; 1932 Code Section 8248; 1922 (32) 956; 1935 (39) 25; 1983 Act No. 138, Section 7, eff June 15, 1983; 2004 Act No. 175, Section 4, eff January 1, 2005.
SC Code § 58-3-142 (2021)
2021 South Carolina Code of Laws|Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers|Chapter 3 - Public Service Commission|Section 58-3-142. Limitation on appearance of members of General Assembly in rate-fixing proceedings.

 No member of the General Assembly or any member of a member's law firm shall appear before the commission in any rate-fixing proceeding by representing any party in the proceeding for any purposes including political purposes, and it is the duty of the presiding commissioner or hearing officer to enforce the provisions of this section. However, this section does not apply to any member of the General Assembly appearing as a witness on either side of any hearing.  HISTORY: 1979 Act No. 167 Section 6, eff July 1, 1979; 2004 Act No. 175, Section 4, eff February 18, 2004.