{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/56-484.2.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/56-484.2.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/56-484.2.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/56-484.2.html"}],"law_id":59149,"edition_id":1,"section_id":59149,"structure_id":15517,"section_number":"56-484.2","catch_line":"Extension or reduction upon poll of certain subscribers","history":"1976, c. 265; 1978, c. 232; 1985, c. 382; 1990, c. 339; 1993, c. 974; 1994, cc. 180, 347; 1995, c. 466; 1996, c. 272.","full_text":"A\n\nUpon petition of five percent but in no case less than twenty-five of the subscribers in an established telephone exchange for an extension or reduction of their local service area to include or exclude a contiguous local exchange or exchanges, or upon resolution of the governing body of a county for a countywide local service area, the Commission shall estimate the approximate change in the monthly rate for service which will result from such extension or reduction. In the case of a governing body resolution for countywide calling, the Commission, prior to estimating the approximate rate change, shall determine which exchanges within the county have a community of interest calling percentage that is fifty percent or greater in at least one direction to at least one other exchange within the county. The Commission shall then undertake to estimate the approximate change in the monthly rate for service that will result from such expanded local calling area for each such exchange. The Commission shall order the affected company or companies to poll those subscribers whose monthly rate for service would change if the proposed changes were adopted. However, polls shall not be required in the exchange or exchanges to which the petitioners desire an extension of local service if (i) any resulting rate increases in any twelve-month period do not, in the aggregate, exceed five percent of the existing monthly one-party residential flat rate service for the affected exchange to which the petitioners desire an extension of local service or (ii) any resulting rate increases in any twelve-month period, in the aggregate, exceed five percent solely due to rate regrouping. No more than one petition for a poll from the same group of subscribers or resolution from the governing body of a county shall be considered by the Commission during any three-year period. For purposes of determining the exchanges that will be polled pursuant to this subsection, “community of interest calling percentage” means the percentage of customers in an exchange that make one or more calls per month to another exchange within the county.B\n\nIf a poll is required pursuant to subsection A and a majority of the subscribers are in favor of the proposed change, or if the Commission determines that a majority of subscribers voting are in favor of the proposed change, the Commission shall order the extension or reduction of their local service area. For the purposes of this section, the number of subscribers in an established telephone exchange shall be deemed to be the number of subscribers in an exchange as of January 1 of the calendar year when the petition is submitted to the Commission. Telephone subscribers shall be given thirty-five days from the day ballots are placed in the U.S. mail to return their survey form. Upon completion of the poll, results shall be duly certified to the Commission.C\n\nIf a poll is not required pursuant to subsection A, the Commission shall require notice to customers in exchanges in which polls are not required and shall convene a hearing on the proposed extension or reduction of the local calling area if the lesser of five percent or 150 of the customers within such exchanges request a hearing. The Commission may convene a hearing under this subsection on its own motion without regard to the number of customers who request a hearing.D\n\nWhere the governing body of a county passes a resolution for a countywide local service area under subsection A and the poll for such service is defeated, the governing body shall reimburse the affected company or companies for the costs of the poll.E\n\nThe Commission shall give the highest priority to petitions or resolutions presented under subsection A that involve exchanges in rural areas.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":216858,"text":"Upon petition of five percent but in no case less than twenty-five of the subscribers in an established telephone exchange for an extension or reduction of their local service area to include or exclude a contiguous local exchange or exchanges, or upon resolution of the governing body of a county for a countywide local service area, the Commission shall estimate the approximate change in the monthly rate for service which will result from such extension or reduction. In the case of a governing body resolution for countywide calling, the Commission, prior to estimating the approximate rate change, shall determine which exchanges within the county have a community of interest calling percentage that is fifty percent or greater in at least one direction to at least one other exchange within the county. The Commission shall then undertake to estimate the approximate change in the monthly rate for service that will result from such expanded local calling area for each such exchange. The Commission shall order the affected company or companies to poll those subscribers whose monthly rate for service would change if the proposed changes were adopted. However, polls shall not be required in the exchange or exchanges to which the petitioners desire an extension of local service if (i) any resulting rate increases in any twelve-month period do not, in the aggregate, exceed five percent of the existing monthly one-party residential flat rate service for the affected exchange to which the petitioners desire an extension of local service or (ii) any resulting rate increases in any twelve-month period, in the aggregate, exceed five percent solely due to rate regrouping. No more than one petition for a poll from the same group of subscribers or resolution from the governing body of a county shall be considered by the Commission during any three-year period. For purposes of determining the exchanges that will be polled pursuant to this subsection, “community of interest calling percentage” means the percentage of customers in an exchange that make one or more calls per month to another exchange within the county.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":216859,"text":"If a poll is required pursuant to subsection A and a majority of the subscribers are in favor of the proposed change, or if the Commission determines that a majority of subscribers voting are in favor of the proposed change, the Commission shall order the extension or reduction of their local service area. For the purposes of this section, the number of subscribers in an established telephone exchange shall be deemed to be the number of subscribers in an exchange as of January 1 of the calendar year when the petition is submitted to the Commission. Telephone subscribers shall be given thirty-five days from the day ballots are placed in the U.S. mail to return their survey form. Upon completion of the poll, results shall be duly certified to the Commission.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":216860,"text":"If a poll is not required pursuant to subsection A, the Commission shall require notice to customers in exchanges in which polls are not required and shall convene a hearing on the proposed extension or reduction of the local calling area if the lesser of five percent or 150 of the customers within such exchanges request a hearing. The Commission may convene a hearing under this subsection on its own motion without regard to the number of customers who request a hearing.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":216861,"text":"Where the governing body of a county passes a resolution for a countywide local service area under subsection A and the poll for such service is defeated, the governing body shall reimburse the affected company or companies for the costs of the poll.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":216862,"text":"The Commission shall give the highest priority to petitions or resolutions presented under subsection A that involve exchanges in rural areas.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15517,"edition_id":1,"name":"Extension and Reduction of Telephone Service","identifier":"4","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13123,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:55:45","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:55:45","permalink":{"id":249975,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15517,"identifier":"4","token":"56\/15\/4","url":"\/56\/15\/4\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13123,"edition_id":1,"name":"Telegraph and Telephone Companies","identifier":"15","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12881,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:19","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:19","permalink":{"id":249827,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13123,"identifier":"15","token":"56\/15","url":"\/56\/15\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12881,"edition_id":1,"name":"Public Service Companies","identifier":"56","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","permalink":{"id":248473,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12881,"identifier":"56","token":"56","url":"\/56\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":87369,"structure_id":15517,"section_number":"56-484.1","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/56-484.1\/","token":"56\/15\/4\/56-484.1","metadata":false},{"id":59149,"structure_id":15517,"section_number":"56-484.2","catch_line":"Extension or reduction upon poll of certain subscribers","url":"\/56-484.2\/","token":"56\/15\/4\/56-484.2","metadata":false},{"id":74091,"structure_id":15517,"section_number":"56-484.3","catch_line":"Powers of Commission not restricted; rules and regulations","url":"\/56-484.3\/","token":"56\/15\/4\/56-484.3","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":87369,"structure_id":15517,"section_number":"56-484.1","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/56-484.1\/","token":"56\/15\/4\/56-484.1","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":74091,"structure_id":15517,"section_number":"56-484.3","catch_line":"Powers of Commission not restricted; rules and regulations","url":"\/56-484.3\/","token":"56\/15\/4\/56-484.3","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/56-484.2\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1976. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 265 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 1976 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 7 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 1978, chapter 232; in 1985, chapter 382; in 1990, chapter 339; in 1993, chapter 974; in 1994, chapters 180<\/a> and 347<\/a>; in 1995, chapter 466<\/a>; in 1996, chapter 272<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":249981,"object_type":"law","relational_id":59149,"identifier":"56-484.2","token":"56\/15\/4\/56-484.2","url":"\/56-484.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/56-484.2\/","token":"56\/15\/4\/56-484.2","dublin_core":{"Title":"Extension or reduction upon poll of certain subscribers","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 56-484.2","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Upon petition<\/span> of five percent but in no case less than twenty-five of the subscribers in an established telephone exchange<\/span> for an extension or reduction of their local service area<\/span> to include or exclude a contiguous local exchange<\/span> or exchanges<\/span>, or upon resolution of the governing body of a county for a countywide local service area<\/span>, the Commission<\/span> shall estimate the approximate change in the monthly rate<\/span> for service which will result from such extension or reduction. In the case of a governing body resolution for countywide calling, the Commission<\/span>, prior to estimating the approximate rate<\/span> change, shall determine which exchanges<\/span> within the county have a community of interest calling percentage<\/span> that is fifty percent or greater in at least one direction to at least one other exchange<\/span> within the county. The Commission<\/span> shall then undertake to estimate the approximate change in the monthly rate<\/span> for service that will result from such expanded local calling area for each such exchange<\/span>. The Commission<\/span> shall order<\/span> the affected company<\/span> or companies to poll those subscribers whose monthly rate<\/span> for service would change if the proposed changes were adopted. However, polls shall not be required in the exchange<\/span> or exchanges<\/span> to which the petitioners desire an extension of local service if (i) any resulting rate<\/span> increases in any twelve-month period do not, in the aggregate, exceed five percent of the existing monthly one-party<\/span> residential flat rate<\/span> service for the affected exchange<\/span> to which the petitioners desire an extension of local service or (ii) any resulting rate<\/span> increases in any twelve-month period, in the aggregate, exceed five percent solely due to rate<\/span> regrouping. No more than one petition<\/span> for a poll from the same group of subscribers or resolution from the governing body of a county shall be considered by the Commission<\/span> during any three-year period. For purposes of determining the exchanges<\/span> that will be polled pursuant to this subsection, “community of interest calling percentage<\/span>” means the percentage of customers in an exchange<\/span> that make one or more calls per month to another exchange<\/span> within the county. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> If a poll is required pursuant to subsection A and a majority of the subscribers are in favor of the proposed change, or if the Commission<\/span> determines that a majority of subscribers voting are in favor of the proposed change, the Commission<\/span> shall order<\/span> the extension or reduction of their local service area<\/span>. For the purposes of this section, the number of subscribers in an established telephone exchange<\/span> shall be deemed to be the number of subscribers in an exchange<\/span> as of January 1 of the calendar year when the petition<\/span> is submitted to the Commission<\/span>. Telephone subscribers shall be given thirty-five days from the day ballots are placed in the U.S. mail<\/span> to return their survey form. Upon completion of the poll, results shall be duly certified to the Commission<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> If a poll is not required pursuant to subsection A, the Commission<\/span> shall require notice to customers in exchanges<\/span> in which polls are not required and shall convene a hearing<\/span> on the proposed extension or reduction of the local calling area if the lesser of five percent or 150 of the customers within such exchanges<\/span> request a hearing<\/span>. The Commission<\/span> may convene a hearing<\/span> under this subsection on its own motion<\/span> without regard to the number of customers who request a hearing<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Where the governing body of a county passes a resolution for a countywide local service area<\/span> under subsection A and the poll for such service is defeated, the governing body shall reimburse the affected company<\/span> or companies for the costs of the poll. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> The Commission<\/span> shall give the highest priority to petitions<\/span> or resolutions presented under subsection A that involve exchanges<\/span> in rural areas. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nEXTENSION OR REDUCTION UPON POLL OF CERTAIN SUBSCRIBERS (\u00a7 56-484.2)\n\nA. Upon petition of five percent but in no case less than twenty-five of the\nsubscribers in an established telephone exchange for an extension or reduction\nof their local service area to include or exclude a contiguous local exchange or\nexchanges, or upon resolution of the governing body of a county for a countywide\nlocal service area, the Commission shall estimate the approximate change in the\nmonthly rate for service which will result from such extension or reduction. In\nthe case of a governing body resolution for countywide calling, the Commission,\nprior to estimating the approximate rate change, shall determine which exchanges\nwithin the county have a community of interest calling percentage that is fifty\npercent or greater in at least one direction to at least one other exchange\nwithin the county. The Commission shall then undertake to estimate the\napproximate change in the monthly rate for service that will result from such\nexpanded local calling area for each such exchange. The Commission shall order\nthe affected company or companies to poll those subscribers whose monthly rate\nfor service would change if the proposed changes were adopted. However, polls\nshall not be required in the exchange or exchanges to which the petitioners\ndesire an extension of local service if (i) any resulting rate increases in any\ntwelve-month period do not, in the aggregate, exceed five percent of the\nexisting monthly one-party residential flat rate service for the affected\nexchange to which the petitioners desire an extension of local service or (ii)\nany resulting rate increases in any twelve-month period, in the aggregate,\nexceed five percent solely due to rate regrouping. No more than one petition for\na poll from the same group of subscribers or resolution from the governing body\nof a county shall be considered by the Commission during any three-year period.\nFor purposes of determining the exchanges that will be polled pursuant to this\nsubsection, “community of interest calling percentage” means the\npercentage of customers in an exchange that make one or more calls per month to\nanother exchange within the county.\n\nB. If a poll is required pursuant to subsection A and a majority of the\nsubscribers are in favor of the proposed change, or if the Commission determines\nthat a majority of subscribers voting are in favor of the proposed change, the\nCommission shall order the extension or reduction of their local service area.\nFor the purposes of this section, the number of subscribers in an established\ntelephone exchange shall be deemed to be the number of subscribers in an\nexchange as of January 1 of the calendar year when the petition is submitted to\nthe Commission. Telephone subscribers shall be given thirty-five days from the\nday ballots are placed in the U.S. mail to return their survey form. Upon\ncompletion of the poll, results shall be duly certified to the Commission.\n\nC. If a poll is not required pursuant to subsection A, the Commission shall\nrequire notice to customers in exchanges in which polls are not required and\nshall convene a hearing on the proposed extension or reduction of the local\ncalling area if the lesser of five percent or 150 of the customers within such\nexchanges request a hearing. The Commission may convene a hearing under this\nsubsection on its own motion without regard to the number of customers who\nrequest a hearing.\n\nD. Where the governing body of a county passes a resolution for a countywide\nlocal service area under subsection A and the poll for such service is defeated,\nthe governing body shall reimburse the affected company or companies for the\ncosts of the poll.\n\nE. The Commission shall give the highest priority to petitions or resolutions\npresented under subsection A that involve exchanges in rural areas.\n\nHISTORY: 1976, c. 265; 1978, c. 232; 1985, c. 382; 1990, c. 339; 1993, c. 974;\n1994, cc. 180, 347; 1995, c. 466; 1996, c. 272.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}