2022 South Carolina Code of Laws
Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers
Chapter 9 - Telephone, Telegraph And Express Companies

ARTICLE 1 Telephone Companies-General Provisions

• Section 58-9-10. Definitions.
• Section 58-9-20. Companies subject to Articles 1 through 13 of this chapter even before commencing operations.
• Section 58-9-30. Municipal rights, powers and privileges under Constitution not impaired.
• Section 58-9-40. Municipal police regulations and ordinances not affected.
• Section 58-9-50. Articles 1 through 13 of this chapter not applicable to interstate commerce.

ARTICLE 3 Telephone Companies - Duties, Restrictions and Rights Generally

• Section 58-9-200. Definitions.
• Section 58-9-210. Rates shall be just and reasonable.
• Section 58-9-230. Adherence to schedules.
• Section 58-9-240. Permitted free or reduced rates.
• Section 58-9-250. Unreasonable preferences and differences in rates or service shall not be made; reasonable classifications may be established.
• Section 58-9-260. Facilities and equipment shall be maintained in adequate manner.
• Section 58-9-270. Extensions of existing facilities.
• Section 58-9-280. Certificate of public convenience and necessity shall be obtained prior to construction, operation or extension of plant or system; exceptions.
• Section 58-9-285. Regulation of bundled offerings.
• Section 58-9-290. Interchange of service.
• Section 58-9-295. Agreements limiting other communications providers from access to rights-of-way prohibited; penalties.
• Section 58-9-297. Relief from obligation to provide communications services.
• Section 58-9-300. Abandonment of service.
• Section 58-9-310. Sale or other disposition of property, powers, franchises or privileges.
• Section 58-9-320. Transactions with affiliates.
• Section 58-9-330. Participation in profits from efficiency.
• Section 58-9-340. System of accounts.
• Section 58-9-350. Depreciation and retirement charges.
• Section 58-9-360. Restrictions on capitalization for rate-making purposes.
• Section 58-9-370. Annual and special reports.
• Section 58-9-380. Office in State.
• Section 58-9-390. Compliance with rules and regulations.

ARTICLE 5 Telephone Companies - Changes in Rates

• Section 58-9-510. Changes in phone rates.
• Section 58-9-520. Change in telephone rates initiated by utility; notice.
• Section 58-9-530. Dispensing with thirty days' notice of rate change.
• Section 58-9-540. Hearing on new schedule of rates; time for Commission action.
• Section 58-9-570. Factors which Commission shall consider in determining rates.
• Section 58-9-575. Alternative means of regulating telephone utilities.
• Section 58-9-576. Election by LEC (local exchange carrier); alternative forms of regulation; duties of LEC.
• Section 58-9-577. Approval of alternative form of regulation; conditions and effect of approval.
• Section 58-9-585. Alternative means of regulating interexchange telecommunications carrier.

ARTICLE 7 Telephone Companies - Powers of Commission Generally

• Section 58-9-710. Orders for more reasonable, adequate and efficient service.
• Section 58-9-720. Miscellaneous regulations.
• Section 58-9-730. Fixing value of utility.
• Section 58-9-740. Reparation orders.
• Section 58-9-750. Suit to enforce reparation order.
• Section 58-9-760. Joint investigations, hearings and orders with other state or Federal boards or commissions.
• Section 58-9-770. Suits to discontinue or prevent violation of law or order.
• Section 58-9-780. Investigations.
• Section 58-9-790. Inspections of property; audits of records; examinations of officers and employees.
• Section 58-9-800. Inspection and copying of tax returns, reports and other information.
• Section 58-9-810. Promulgation of rules and regulations.
• Section 58-9-820. Enforcement powers generally.
• Section 58-9-830. Enumeration of powers not exclusive.

ARTICLE 9 Telephone Companies - Commission Hearings, Investigations and Proceedings

• Section 58-9-1010. Hearing before one or more commissioners; approval of determination, ruling or order.
• Section 58-9-1020. Employment and duties of special agent or examiner.
• Section 58-9-1030. Administration of oaths, examination of witnesses and certification of official acts.
• Section 58-9-1040. Issuance of subpoenas and other process.
• Section 58-9-1050. Self-incrimination; immunity.
• Section 58-9-1060. Taking of depositions.
• Section 58-9-1070. Production of books and other records.
• Section 58-9-1080. Filing of petitions.
• Section 58-9-1090. Service of petition.
• Section 58-9-1100. Service of pleadings or notices.
• Section 58-9-1110. Dismissal of petition without hearing.
• Section 58-9-1120. Types of hearings.
• Section 58-9-1130. Conduct of hearings and proceedings.
• Section 58-9-1140. Time and place of hearing; notice.
• Section 58-9-1150. Parties who may participate in hearings.
• Section 58-9-1160. Findings and orders; sufficiency; service.
• Section 58-9-1170. Effective date of order.
• Section 58-9-1180. Rescission or amendment of orders or decisions.
• Section 58-9-1190. Record of proceedings.
• Section 58-9-1200. Rehearings.
• Section 58-9-1210. Contempt of Commission.
• Section 58-9-1220. Fees and mileage allowances of witnesses and officers.
• Section 58-9-1230. Certified copies of documents and orders as evidence.
• Section 58-9-1240. Rules governing pleadings, practice and procedure.

ARTICLE 11 Telephone Companies - Review of Commission Orders

• Section 58-9-1410. Appeals; vacating or setting aside order of commission.
• Section 58-9-1430. Stay or suspension of order pending review.
• Section 58-9-1450. Commission's orders presumed lawful and reasonable.

ARTICLE 13 Telephone Companies - Penalties

• Section 58-9-1610. Penalties for violation of Articles 1 through 13 of this chapter.
• Section 58-9-1620. Each violation and each day of continuing violation deemed a separate offense.
• Section 58-9-1630. Principals responsible for acts of agents.
• Section 58-9-1640. Penalties shall be cumulative.
• Section 58-9-1650. Actions to recover penalties.

ARTICLE 15 Telegraph Companies - General Provisions

• Section 58-9-1810. Duty to receive and transmit telegrams.
• Section 58-9-1820. Liability for messages in cipher.
• Section 58-9-1830. Common carriers of intelligence shall not require contract limiting its liability.
• Section 58-9-1840. Delivery of certain messages.
• Section 58-9-1850. Free delivery of messages in certain cities.
• Section 58-9-1860. Liability for negligence causing mental anguish or suffering.

ARTICLE 17 Telephone and Telegraph Companies - Common Provisions

• Section 58-9-2010. Telephone and telegraph wires shall be erected and maintained so as to protect persons and property.
• Section 58-9-2020. Authorization to construct, maintain and operate lines in State.
• Section 58-9-2030. Condemnation powers generally.
• Section 58-9-2150. Delivery of messages between points in this State.
• Section 58-9-2160. Action for damages for failure to deliver message between points in this State.

ARTICLE 20 Municipal Charges to Telecommunications Providers

• Section 58-9-2200. Definitions.
• Section 58-9-2210. Cable service franchise agreement authority.
• Section 58-9-2220. Retail telecommunications services business license taxes; maximum rates.
• Section 58-9-2230. Public rights-of-way franchise, consent and administrative fees; authorized taxes; mobile telecommunications services.
• Section 58-9-2240. Regulatory control by local government.
• Section 58-9-2250. Existing consent agreements.
• Section 58-9-2260. Enforcement of ordinances or practices conflicting with article.
• Section 58-9-2270. Customer bill disclosure of business license tax.

ARTICLE 21 Telephone Service for Hearing and Speech Impaired Persons

• Section 58-9-2510. Definitions.
• Section 58-9-2515. Public Service Commission jurisdiction.
• Section 58-9-2520. Statewide access program.
• Section 58-9-2530. Dual party relay charge.
• Section 58-9-2535. Dual party relay charge collections.
• Section 58-9-2540. Repealed.
• Section 58-9-2550. Distribution systems.

ARTICLE 23 Government-Owned Communications Service Providers

• Section 58-9-2600. Purpose of article.
• Section 58-9-2610. Definitions.
• Section 58-9-2620. Duties and restrictions; cost and rate computations; accounting requirements.
• Section 58-9-2630. Tax collections and payments.
• Section 58-9-2650. Liability insurance rates.
• Section 58-9-2660. Petitions to designate unserved areas; notice; objections.
• Section 58-9-2670. Exemptions for government-owned communications service providers receiving funding for Comprehensive Community Infrastructure project.
• Section 58-9-2689. Report of State Regulation of Public Utilities Review Committee.

ARTICLE 25 Broadband Accessibility Act

• Section 58-9-3000. Short title; legislative findings.
• Section 58-9-3010. Definitions.
• Section 58-9-3020. Actions authorized to be taken by electric cooperatives.
• Section 58-9-3030. Nondiscriminatory access; written contracts; retail broadband service.
• Section 58-9-3040. Electric easements; civil actions; damages; liability.
• Section 58-9-3050. Relationship between electric cooperatives and broadband affiliates; disconnection of electric services based on customer's failure to pay for broadband service.