About the Agency

The State Corporation Commission (SCC) has regulatory authority over utilities, insurance, state-chartered financial institutions, securities, retail franchising and railroads. It is the state’s central filing office for corporations, limited partnerships, limited liability companies and Uniform Commercial Code liens. The SCC is an independent branch of state government with delegated administrative, legislative and judicial powers. It acts as a court of record and holds formal hearings when warranted. SCC decisions can only be appealed to the Virginia Supreme Court.

Created in 1902 by the Virginia Constitution, the SCC began operations in March 1903. It was initially established to oversee the railroad and telephone and telegraph industries in Virginia. The Virginia General Assembly has since broadened its regulatory authority.

The SCC’s powers, which range from issuing rules and regulations to setting rates charged by large investor-owned utilities, are delineated by the state constitution and state law. The SCC’s three commissioners are elected by the General Assembly for six-year terms. Working full-time, the commissioners direct the work of the SCC.