914                              Laws of Maryland                      [Ch. 613

Commission, the Public Service Commission of Maryland, or the
State Corporation Commission of Virginia.

Consolidations, Mergers, and Acquisition of Control

295. (a) It shall be unlawful, without approval of the Commission
in accordance with this section—

(1)  for two or more carriers, any one of which operates in the
Metropolitan District, to consolidate or merge their properties or
franchises, or any part thereof, into one person for the ownership,
management, or operation of properties theretofore under separate
ownership, management, or operation; or

(2)  for any carrier which operates in the Metropolitan District
or any person controlling, controlled by or under common control
with, such a carrier (i) to purchase, lease, or contract to operate
the properties, or any substantial part thereof, of any carrier which
operates in such Metropolitan District, or (ii) to acquire control,
through ownership of its stock or otherwise, of any carrier which
operates in such Metropolitan District.

(b)  Any person seeking approval of any transaction to which
subsection (a) applies shall make application to the Commission in
accordance with such regulations as the Commission shall prescribe.
If, after hearing held upon reasonable notice, the Commission finds
that, subject to such terms, conditions, and modifications as it shall
find to be necessary, the proposed transaction is consistent with the
public interest, it shall enter an appropriate order approving and
authorizing such transaction as so conditioned.

(c)  It shall be unlawful to continue to maintain or exercise any
ownership, management, operation or control accomplished or ef-
fectuated in violation of subsection (a) of this section.

(d)  Pending the determination of an application filed with the
Commission for approval of a consolidation or merger of the prop-
erties of two or more motor carriers, or of a purchase, lease, or
contract to operate the properties of one or more motor carriers,
the Commission may, in its discretion, and without hearings or other
proceedings, grant temporary approval, for a period not exceeding
180 days of the operation of the motor carrier properties sought to
be acquired by the person proposing in such pending application to
acquire such properties, if it shall appear that failure to grant such
temporary approval may result in destruction of or injury to such
motor carrier properties sought to be acquired, or to interfere sub-
stantially with their future usefulness in the performance of ade-
quate and continuous service to the public.

Complaints and Investigations by the Commission

296. (a) Any person may file with the Commission a complaint
in writing with respect to anything done or omitted to be done by
any person in contravention of any provision of this sub-title, or of
any requirement established pursuant thereto. If the person com-
plained against shall not satisfy the complaint and there shall appear
to be any reasonable grounds for an investigation, the Commission
shall investigate the matters complained of. Whenever the Commis-
sion is of the opinion that any complaint does not state facts which