SDCL § 49-31-4.1: Hearings on price regulation--Petition--Adoption of price regulation for noncompetitive service.

The commission shall, on its own motion or upon petition, hold public hearings investigating methods of price regulation consistent with § 49-31-1.4 and chapter 1-26. Within thirty days of its receipt of a petition filed pursuant to this section, the commission shall issue a procedural schedule setting forth dates by which written direct testimony or data shall be filed and ordering the date for commencement of a hearing.

If the investigation indicates that pricing regulation is appropriate for any noncompetitive service because such regulation has a positive impact on universal service and is more reasonable and fair than rate of return regulation, the commission may adopt pricing regulation for any such noncompetitive service.