{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/56-8.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/56-8.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/56-8.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/56-8.1.html"}],"law_id":370733,"edition_id":2,"section_id":370733,"structure_id":52704,"section_number":"56-8.1","catch_line":"Free services to members of General Assembly and others prohibited","history":"1971, Ex. Sess., c. 9.","full_text":"No public service corporation doing business in this Commonwealth shall grant to any member of the General Assembly or to any state, county, district, or municipal officer any free pass, free transportation, or any rebate or reduction in the rates charged by such corporation to the general public. Any public service corporation violating this section and any person receiving any privilege or benefit prohibited by this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof, shall each be fined an amount not to exceed $1,000 for each such offense. This section shall not be construed to prevent any public service corporation from granting free transportation, services or free passes to any person including those set forth herein who would by virtue of their employment or service as an officer, director or otherwise be entitled thereto, or to members of any police force or fire department while in the discharge of their official duties.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1383141,"text":"No public service corporation doing business in this Commonwealth shall grant to any member of the General Assembly or to any state, county, district, or municipal officer any free pass, free transportation, or any rebate or reduction in the rates charged by such corporation to the general public. Any public service corporation violating this section and any person receiving any privilege or benefit prohibited by this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof, shall each be fined an amount not to exceed $1,000 for each such offense. This section shall not be construed to prevent any public service corporation from granting free transportation, services or free passes to any person including those set forth herein who would by virtue of their employment or service as an officer, director or otherwise be entitled thereto, or to members of any police force or fire department while in the discharge of their official duties.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":52704,"edition_id":2,"name":"In General","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":52703,"metadata":{"child_laws":15,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 03:03:25","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:35:34","permalink":{"id":1475479,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52704,"identifier":"1","token":"56\/1\/1","url":"\/56\/1\/1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52703,"edition_id":2,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":52702,"metadata":{"child_laws":58,"child_structures":6},"date_created":"2026-08-02 03:03:25","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:35:34","permalink":{"id":1475477,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52703,"identifier":"1","token":"56\/1","url":"\/56\/1\/","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":370049,"structure_id":52704,"section_number":"56-1","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/56-1\/","token":"56\/1\/1\/56-1","metadata":false},{"id":370045,"structure_id":52704,"section_number":"56-1.1","catch_line":"Designation as public service corporation","url":"\/56-1.1\/","token":"56\/1\/1\/56-1.1","metadata":false},{"id":370046,"structure_id":52704,"section_number":"56-1.2","catch_line":"Persons, localities, and school boards not designated as public utility, public service corporation, etc","url":"\/56-1.2\/","token":"56\/1\/1\/56-1.2","metadata":false},{"id":370047,"structure_id":52704,"section_number":"56-1.2:1","catch_line":"Retail sale of electricity in connection with the provision of electric vehicle charging service","url":"\/56-1.2_1\/","token":"56\/1\/1\/56-1.2_1","metadata":false},{"id":370048,"structure_id":52704,"section_number":"56-1.3","catch_line":"Regulation of Voice-over-Internet protocol service","url":"\/56-1.3\/","token":"56\/1\/1\/56-1.3","metadata":false},{"id":370090,"structure_id":52704,"section_number":"56-2","catch_line":"Public service corporations, etc., governed by provisions of this title","url":"\/56-2\/","token":"56\/1\/1\/56-2","metadata":false},{"id":370306,"structure_id":52704,"section_number":"56-3","catch_line":"Expenses prior to organization","url":"\/56-3\/","token":"56\/1\/1\/56-3","metadata":false},{"id":370356,"structure_id":52704,"section_number":"56-4","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/56-4\/","token":"56\/1\/1\/56-4","metadata":false},{"id":370514,"structure_id":52704,"section_number":"56-5","catch_line":"Triple damages for injury to property of public service corporation","url":"\/56-5\/","token":"56\/1\/1\/56-5","metadata":false},{"id":370513,"structure_id":52704,"section_number":"56-5.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/56-5.1\/","token":"56\/1\/1\/56-5.1","metadata":false},{"id":370680,"structure_id":52704,"section_number":"56-6","catch_line":"Remedies of persons aggrieved by public service corporation's violation of law","url":"\/56-6\/","token":"56\/1\/1\/56-6","metadata":false},{"id":370722,"structure_id":52704,"section_number":"56-7","catch_line":"Common law, etc., remedies not altered or abridged","url":"\/56-7\/","token":"56\/1\/1\/56-7","metadata":false},{"id":370735,"structure_id":52704,"section_number":"56-8","catch_line":"Repeal of charter","url":"\/56-8\/","token":"56\/1\/1\/56-8","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Mark O'Hara Wright v. Andrew C. Graves, Esq.","case_number":"1079223","citation":null,"date":"2023-10-17","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/9433213\/mark-ohara-wright-v-andrew-c-graves-esq\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Court of Appeals\">COA<\/abbr>"},"1":{"name":"Mark O'Hara Wright v. Andrew C. Graves, Esq.","case_number":"1079223","citation":null,"date":"2023-10-17","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/9434732\/mark-ohara-wright-v-andrew-c-graves-esq\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Court of Appeals\">COA<\/abbr>"},"2":{"name":"United States ex rel. Davis v. U.S. Training Center, Inc.","case_number":"Civil No. 1:08cv1244","citation":"829 F. Supp. 2d 329","date":"2011-12-08","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/8711122\/united-states-ex-rel-davis-v-us-training-center-inc\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. ORDER .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"District Court, E.D. Virginia"},"3":{"name":"United States v. Hernandez-Villanueva","case_number":"06-4211","citation":null,"date":"2007-01-10","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/2968406\/united-states-v-hernandez-villanueva\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. PUBLISHED .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"},"4":{"name":" .\u202f.\u202f. Humphreys & Partners Architects v. Lessard Design, .\u202f.\u202f. ","case_number":"14-2030","citation":"790 F.3d 532","date":"2015-06-23","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/2810928\/humphreys-partners-architects-v-lessard-design-incorporated\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. Affirmed by published opinion. Judge DUNCAN -wrote the opinion, in which Judge SHEDD and Judge .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"},"5":{"name":" .\u202f.\u202f. Humphreys & Partners Architects v. Lessard Design, .\u202f.\u202f. 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PRESENT: Mims, Powell, Kelsey, McCullough, and Chafin, JJ., and Russell and Millette, S.JJ. .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"},"8":{"name":"JTH Tax, Inc. v. Lee","case_number":"2:06cv486","citation":"514 F. Supp. 2d 818","date":"2007-09-21","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1961758\/jth-tax-inc-v-lee\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 514 F.Supp.2d 818 (2007) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"District Court, E.D. Virginia"},"9":{"name":"Campbell v. Harmon","case_number":"051410.","citation":"628 S.E.2d 308","date":"2006-04-21","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1058841\/campbell-v-harmon\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 628 S.E.2d 308 (2006) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"}}}},{"id":370733,"structure_id":52704,"section_number":"56-8.1","catch_line":"Free services to members of General Assembly and others prohibited","url":"\/56-8.1\/","token":"56\/1\/1\/56-8.1","metadata":false},{"id":370734,"structure_id":52704,"section_number":"56-8.2","catch_line":"Appeals in rate cases","url":"\/56-8.2\/","token":"56\/1\/1\/56-8.2","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":370735,"structure_id":52704,"section_number":"56-8","catch_line":"Repeal of charter","url":"\/56-8\/","token":"56\/1\/1\/56-8","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Mark O'Hara Wright v. Andrew C. Graves, Esq.","case_number":"1079223","citation":null,"date":"2023-10-17","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/9433213\/mark-ohara-wright-v-andrew-c-graves-esq\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Court of Appeals\">COA<\/abbr>"},"1":{"name":"Mark O'Hara Wright v. Andrew C. Graves, Esq.","case_number":"1079223","citation":null,"date":"2023-10-17","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/9434732\/mark-ohara-wright-v-andrew-c-graves-esq\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Court of Appeals\">COA<\/abbr>"},"2":{"name":"United States ex rel. Davis v. U.S. Training Center, Inc.","case_number":"Civil No. 1:08cv1244","citation":"829 F. Supp. 2d 329","date":"2011-12-08","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/8711122\/united-states-ex-rel-davis-v-us-training-center-inc\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. ORDER .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"District Court, E.D. Virginia"},"3":{"name":"United States v. Hernandez-Villanueva","case_number":"06-4211","citation":null,"date":"2007-01-10","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/2968406\/united-states-v-hernandez-villanueva\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. PUBLISHED .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"},"4":{"name":" .\u202f.\u202f. Humphreys & Partners Architects v. Lessard Design, .\u202f.\u202f. ","case_number":"14-2030","citation":"790 F.3d 532","date":"2015-06-23","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/2810928\/humphreys-partners-architects-v-lessard-design-incorporated\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. Affirmed by published opinion. Judge DUNCAN -wrote the opinion, in which Judge SHEDD and Judge .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"},"5":{"name":" .\u202f.\u202f. Humphreys & Partners Architects v. Lessard Design, .\u202f.\u202f. ","case_number":"14-2030","citation":null,"date":"2015-06-24","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/2811286\/humphreys-partners-architects-v-lessard-design-inc\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. PUBLISHED .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"},"6":{"name":"In re: GNC Corp. v.","case_number":"14-1724","citation":"789 F.3d 505","date":"2015-06-19","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/2810184\/in-re-gnc-corp-v\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. Affirmed by published opinion. Judge FLOYD wrote the opinion, in which Judge NIEMEYER and Senior .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"},"7":{"name":"Wal-Mart Stores East, LP v. State Corporation Commission","case_number":"191160","citation":null,"date":"2020-07-09","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/4766624\/wal-mart-stores-east-lp-v-state-corporation-commission\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. PRESENT: Mims, Powell, Kelsey, McCullough, and Chafin, JJ., and Russell and Millette, S.JJ. .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"},"8":{"name":"JTH Tax, Inc. v. Lee","case_number":"2:06cv486","citation":"514 F. Supp. 2d 818","date":"2007-09-21","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1961758\/jth-tax-inc-v-lee\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 514 F.Supp.2d 818 (2007) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"District Court, E.D. Virginia"},"9":{"name":"Campbell v. Harmon","case_number":"051410.","citation":"628 S.E.2d 308","date":"2006-04-21","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1058841\/campbell-v-harmon\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 628 S.E.2d 308 (2006) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"}}}},"next_section":{"id":370734,"structure_id":52704,"section_number":"56-8.2","catch_line":"Appeals in rate cases","url":"\/56-8.2\/","token":"56\/1\/1\/56-8.2","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/56-8.1\/","history_text":false,"references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1475533,"object_type":"law","relational_id":370733,"identifier":"56-8.1","token":"56\/1\/1\/56-8.1","url":"\/56-8.1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/56-8.1\/","token":"56\/1\/1\/56-8.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Free services to members of General Assembly and others prohibited","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 56-8.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>No <span class=\"dictionary\">public service corporation<\/span> doing business in this Commonwealth shall grant to any member of the General Assembly or to any state, county, district, or municipal officer any free pass, free transportation, or any rebate or reduction in the <span class=\"dictionary\">rates<\/span> charged by such corporation to the general public. Any <span class=\"dictionary\">public service corporation<\/span> violating this section and any <span class=\"dictionary\">person<\/span> receiving any <span class=\"dictionary\">privilege<\/span> or benefit prohibited by this section shall be guilty of a <span class=\"dictionary\">misdemeanor<\/span>, and upon <span class=\"dictionary\">conviction<\/span> thereof, shall each be fined an amount not to exceed $1,000 for each such <span class=\"dictionary\">offense<\/span>. This section shall not be construed to prevent any <span class=\"dictionary\">public service corporation<\/span> from granting free transportation, services or free passes to any <span class=\"dictionary\">person<\/span> including those set forth herein who would by virtue of their employment or service as an officer, director or otherwise be entitled thereto, or to members of any police force or fire department while in the discharge of their official duties.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nFREE SERVICES TO MEMBERS OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND OTHERS PROHIBITED (\u00a7 56-8.1)\n\nNo public service corporation doing business in this Commonwealth shall grant to\nany member of the General Assembly or to any state, county, district, or\nmunicipal officer any free pass, free transportation, or any rebate or reduction\nin the rates charged by such corporation to the general public. Any public\nservice corporation violating this section and any person receiving any\nprivilege or benefit prohibited by this section shall be guilty of a\nmisdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof, shall each be fined an amount not to\nexceed $1,000 for each such offense. This section shall not be construed to\nprevent any public service corporation from granting free transportation,\nservices or free passes to any person including those set forth herein who would\nby virtue of their employment or service as an officer, director or otherwise be\nentitled thereto, or to members of any police force or fire department while in\nthe discharge of their official duties.\n\nHISTORY: 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 9.","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"}}