(A) Before a person, corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, or other entity that uses a digital network, platform, or Internet-enabled application to provide transportation for compensation using a personal vehicle commences to advertise or operate in South Carolina as a TNC, that entity shall comply with the requirements set forth within this article and hold a valid TNC permit issued by the Office of Regulatory Staff.

(B) That entity shall submit an application to the Office of Regulatory Staff and provide information that the Office of Regulatory Staff requires.

(C) In performing its responsibilities under this article, the Office of Regulatory Staff must balance the interest of the State in promoting innovative, safe, and cost-effective transportation services with an appropriate level of safety protections for TNC passengers and the general public.

(D) An application must be accompanied by information required by the Office of Regulatory Staff, which may condition its approval on terms that it determines to be just and reasonable to advance the goals of this article.

(E) Upon review of the application and a finding that the applicant is fit, willing, and able to conduct business pursuant to the provisions of this article, the Office of Regulatory Staff shall approve the application and issue the entity a TNC permit. A person or entity operating a TNC in South Carolina as of the effective date of this article may continue to operate for a period of sixty days following the effective date of this article so as to permit the person or entity to obtain a permit from the Office of Regulatory Staff pursuant to this section.

(F) An aggrieved person with standing may file a request for a contested case of a decision of the Office of Regulatory Staff with the Public Service Commission within thirty days of the decision.