{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/56-241.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/56-241.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/56-241.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/56-241.1.html"}],"law_id":370179,"edition_id":2,"section_id":370179,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-241.1","catch_line":"Flat and measured telephone rates; certain rates prohibited","history":"1979, c. 91; 1985, c. 389; 1996, c. 378.","full_text":"Every telephone company which offers dial tone line or substantially equivalent local service shall offer to its residential and business customers at least one offering of such service consisting of a single dial tone line, including associated usage, for the purpose of two-way voice communications within a local calling area at a flat rate unless there was no telephone company offering such a class of service at a flat rate in the local calling area on January 1, 1979. No residential or business customer shall be forced to accept local measured rate service for calling within a local calling area based on the number of calls, length of call, distance or time of day, not in effect on January 1, 1979. Nothing contained herein shall prohibit the Commission from approving the voluntary tariff of any telephone company based on the number of calls, length of call, distance or time of day.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1380916,"text":"Every telephone company which offers dial tone line or substantially equivalent local service shall offer to its residential and business customers at least one offering of such service consisting of a single dial tone line, including associated usage, for the purpose of two-way voice communications within a local calling area at a flat rate unless there was no telephone company offering such a class of service at a flat rate in the local calling area on January 1, 1979. No residential or business customer shall be forced to accept local measured rate service for calling within a local calling area based on the number of calls, length of call, distance or time of day, not in effect on January 1, 1979. Nothing contained herein shall prohibit the Commission from approving the voluntary tariff of any telephone company based on the number of calls, length of call, distance or time of day.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":52723,"edition_id":2,"name":"Services, Rates, Charges, Etc","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":3,"parent_id":52720,"metadata":{"child_laws":43,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 03:03:36","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:35:38","permalink":{"id":1475757,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52723,"identifier":"2","token":"56\/10\/2","url":"\/56\/10\/2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52720,"edition_id":2,"name":"Heat, Light, Power, Water and Other Utility Companies Generally","identifier":"10","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":12,"parent_id":52702,"metadata":{"child_laws":97,"child_structures":8},"date_created":"2026-08-02 03:03:35","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:35:38","permalink":{"id":1475723,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52720,"identifier":"10","token":"56\/10","url":"\/56\/10\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52702,"edition_id":2,"name":"Public Service Companies","identifier":"56","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":121,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":710,"child_structures":93},"date_created":"2026-08-02 03:03:25","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:35:34","permalink":{"id":1475475,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52702,"identifier":"56","token":"56","url":"\/56\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":370152,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-234","catch_line":"Duty to furnish adequate service at reasonable and uniform rates","url":"\/56-234\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-234","metadata":false},{"id":370147,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-234.1","catch_line":"Liability to customer for violation of duty to determine and charge lowest rate applicable","url":"\/56-234.1\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-234.1","metadata":false},{"id":370148,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-234.2","catch_line":"Review of rates","url":"\/56-234.2\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-234.2","metadata":false},{"id":370149,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-234.3","catch_line":"Approval of expenditures for and monitoring of new generation facilities and projected operation programs of electric utilities","url":"\/56-234.3\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-234.3","metadata":false},{"id":370150,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-234.4","catch_line":"Authority to investigate utility operations to determine efficiency","url":"\/56-234.4\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-234.4","metadata":false},{"id":370151,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-234.5","catch_line":"Required disclosure by certain officers and directors of certain utilities","url":"\/56-234.5\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-234.5","metadata":false},{"id":370168,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-235","catch_line":"When Commission may fix rates, schedules, etc.; conformance with chapter","url":"\/56-235\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-235","metadata":false},{"id":370153,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-235.1","catch_line":"Conservation of energy and capital resources","url":"\/56-235.1\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-235.1","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Piedmont Environmental v. Virginia Elec.","case_number":"090249","citation":"684 S.E.2d 805","date":"2009-11-05","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1058279\/piedmont-environmental-v-virginia-elec\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 684 S.E.2d 805 (2009) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"}}}},{"id":370154,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-235.10","catch_line":"Recovery of eligible safety activity costs; administration; procedure","url":"\/56-235.10\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-235.10","metadata":false},{"id":370155,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-235.11","catch_line":"Retail rates of affiliated water utilities","url":"\/56-235.11\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-235.11","metadata":false},{"id":370156,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-235.12","catch_line":"Economic development programs","url":"\/56-235.12\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-235.12","metadata":false},{"id":370157,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-235.1:1","catch_line":"Rates for stand-by electric service at renewable cogeneration facilities","url":"\/56-235.1_1\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-235.1_1","metadata":false},{"id":370158,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-235.1:2","catch_line":"Costs of using small, women-owned, or minority-owned businesses","url":"\/56-235.1_2\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-235.1_2","metadata":false},{"id":370159,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-235.2","catch_line":"All rates, tolls, etc., to be just and reasonable to jurisdictional customers; findings and conclusions to be set forth; alternative forms of regulation for electric companies","url":"\/56-235.2\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-235.2","metadata":false},{"id":370160,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-235.3","catch_line":"Procedures for investigation of rate applications","url":"\/56-235.3\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-235.3","metadata":false},{"id":370161,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-235.4","catch_line":"Prohibition of multiple rate increases within any twelve-month period; exception","url":"\/56-235.4\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-235.4","metadata":false},{"id":370162,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-235.5","catch_line":"Telephone regulatory alternatives","url":"\/56-235.5\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-235.5","metadata":false},{"id":370163,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-235.5:1","catch_line":"Local exchange telephone service competition policy","url":"\/56-235.5_1\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-235.5_1","metadata":false},{"id":370164,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-235.6","catch_line":"Optional performance-based regulation of certain utilities","url":"\/56-235.6\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-235.6","metadata":false},{"id":370165,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-235.7","catch_line":"Jurisdiction of Commission when federal governmental facility ceases to be retail customer of electric utility","url":"\/56-235.7\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-235.7","metadata":false},{"id":370166,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-235.8","catch_line":"Retail supply choice for natural gas customers","url":"\/56-235.8\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-235.8","metadata":false},{"id":370167,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-235.9","catch_line":"Recovery of funds used for capital projects prior to a rate case for strategic natural gas facilities","url":"\/56-235.9\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-235.9","metadata":false},{"id":370171,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-236","catch_line":"Public utilities required to file schedules of rates and charges; rules and regulations; when detariffing of telephone services to be permitted","url":"\/56-236\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-236","metadata":false},{"id":370169,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-236.1","catch_line":"Rates to be charged churches","url":"\/56-236.1\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-236.1","metadata":false},{"id":370170,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-236.2","catch_line":"Suspension of service to sewerage system","url":"\/56-236.2\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-236.2","metadata":false},{"id":370174,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-237","catch_line":"How changes in rates effected; notice required; changes to be indicated on schedules","url":"\/56-237\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-237","metadata":false},{"id":370172,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-237.1","catch_line":"Notification of intent to seek rate change in schedules required to be filed under \u00a7 56-236","url":"\/56-237.1\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-237.1","metadata":false},{"id":370173,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-237.2","catch_line":"Public hearings on protests or objections to rate changes","url":"\/56-237.2\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-237.2","metadata":false},{"id":370175,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-238","catch_line":"Suspension of proposed rates, etc.; investigation; effectiveness of rates pending investigation and subject to bond; fixing reasonable rates, etc","url":"\/56-238\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-238","metadata":false},{"id":370176,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-239","catch_line":"Appeal from action of Commission","url":"\/56-239\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-239","metadata":false},{"id":370178,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-240","catch_line":"Proposed rates, etc., or changes thereof, not suspended effective subject to later change by Commission; refund or credit; appeal; investor-owned public utilities required to show increase complies with \u00a7 56-235.2","url":"\/56-240\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-240","metadata":false},{"id":370181,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-241","catch_line":"Rates of telephone companies","url":"\/56-241\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-241","metadata":false},{"id":370179,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-241.1","catch_line":"Flat and measured telephone rates; certain rates prohibited","url":"\/56-241.1\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-241.1","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":370180,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-241.2","catch_line":"Approval of rates for resale of telephone service","url":"\/56-241.2\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-241.2","metadata":false},{"id":370182,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-242","catch_line":"Temporary reduction of rates","url":"\/56-242\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-242","metadata":false},{"id":370183,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-243","catch_line":"Duration of such temporary reduction","url":"\/56-243\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-243","metadata":false},{"id":370184,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-244","catch_line":"Increase to make up for losses due to excessive temporary reduction","url":"\/56-244\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-244","metadata":false},{"id":370192,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-245","catch_line":"Temporary increase in rates","url":"\/56-245\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-245","metadata":false},{"id":370185,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-245.1","catch_line":"Meters to be kept in good working condition; defective meters","url":"\/56-245.1\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-245.1","metadata":false},{"id":370186,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-245.1:1","catch_line":"Customers to be notified about nuclear emergency evacuation plans","url":"\/56-245.1_1\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-245.1_1","metadata":false},{"id":370187,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-245.1:2","catch_line":"Customers to be notified of renewable power options","url":"\/56-245.1_2\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-245.1_2","metadata":false},{"id":370188,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-245.1:3","catch_line":"Disconnection suspension for utilities","url":"\/56-245.1_3\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-245.1_3","metadata":false},{"id":370189,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-245.1:4","catch_line":"Notice procedures for nonpayment; disconnecting utility service","url":"\/56-245.1_4\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-245.1_4","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":370181,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-241","catch_line":"Rates of telephone companies","url":"\/56-241\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-241","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":370180,"structure_id":52723,"section_number":"56-241.2","catch_line":"Approval of rates for resale of telephone service","url":"\/56-241.2\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-241.2","metadata":false},"metadata":{"court_decisions":""},"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/56-241.1\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 1979. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 91 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1979 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 2 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1985, chapter 389; in 1996, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?961+ful+CHAP0378\">378<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":370180,"section_number":"56-241.2","catch_line":"Approval of rates for resale of telephone service","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-241.2\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1475887,"object_type":"law","relational_id":370179,"identifier":"56-241.1","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-241.1","url":"\/56-241.1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/56-241.1\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-241.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Flat and measured telephone rates; certain rates prohibited","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 56-241.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>Every telephone <span class=\"dictionary\">company<\/span> which offers dial tone line or substantially equivalent local service shall offer to its residential and business customers at least one offering of such service consisting of a single dial tone line, including associated usage, for the purpose of two-way voice communications within a local calling area at a flat <span class=\"dictionary\">rate<\/span> unless there was no telephone <span class=\"dictionary\">company<\/span> offering such a class of service at a flat <span class=\"dictionary\">rate<\/span> in the local calling area on January 1, 1979. No residential or business customer shall be forced to accept local measured <span class=\"dictionary\">rate<\/span> service for calling within a local calling area based on the number of calls, length of call, distance or time of day, not in effect on January 1, 1979. Nothing contained herein shall prohibit the <span class=\"dictionary\">Commission<\/span> from approving the voluntary tariff of any telephone <span class=\"dictionary\">company<\/span> based on the number of calls, length of call, distance or time of day.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nFLAT AND MEASURED TELEPHONE RATES; CERTAIN RATES PROHIBITED (\u00a7 56-241.1)\n\nEvery telephone company which offers dial tone line or substantially equivalent\nlocal service shall offer to its residential and business customers at least one\noffering of such service consisting of a single dial tone line, including\nassociated usage, for the purpose of two-way voice communications within a local\ncalling area at a flat rate unless there was no telephone company offering such\na class of service at a flat rate in the local calling area on January 1, 1979.\nNo residential or business customer shall be forced to accept local measured\nrate service for calling within a local calling area based on the number of\ncalls, length of call, distance or time of day, not in effect on January 1,\n1979. Nothing contained herein shall prohibit the Commission from approving the\nvoluntary tariff of any telephone company based on the number of calls, length\nof call, distance or time of day.\n\nHISTORY: 1979, c. 91; 1985, c. 389; 1996, c. 378.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}