MARVIN MANDEL, Governor                                2211

WITH THE RELOCATION UNDERGROUND OF UTILITY LINES AND
FACILITIES IN CONNECTION WITH PROJECTS REQUIRED BY
SECTION 8.14.1 OF ARTICLE 66B OF THE CODE. THE PUBLIC
SERVICE COMMISSION SHALL PRESCRIBE THE AMOUNT OF THE
MONTHLY SURCHARGE REQUIRED TO SUPPORT THE SAID COSTS AND
DETERMINE WHICH CUSTOMERS OF THE APPLICABLE UTILITY ARE
SUBJECT TO THE SURCHARGE, OR SHALL INCLUDE IN THE RATE
BASE THE RELATED NET CAPITAL COSTS. OR SHALL ADOPT ANY
OTHER METHOD TO APPROPRIATELY APPORTION THE COSTS.
HOWEVER. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE UTILITY BE REQUIRED TO PAY
MORE THAN 50 PERCENT OF THE NET CAPITAL COSTS. THE
[[MUNICIPALITY]] COUNTY. MUNICIPAL CORPORATION, OR
BALTIMORE CITY IS AUTHORIZED TO MAKE APPROPRIATIONS FOR
SUCH RELOCATION PROJECTS FROM ANY APPROPRIATE FEDERAL,
STATE, AND LOCAL FUNDS IT RECEIVES FOR THIS PURPOSE.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That new
Section 8.14.1 be and it is hereby added to Article 66B —
Zoning and Planning, of the Annotated Code of Maryland
(1970 Replacement Volume and 1973 Supplement) to read as
follows:

Article 66B — Zoning and Planning

8.14.1. UNDERGROUND PLACEMENT OF OVERHEAD UTILITY LINES
AND FACILITIES.

(A) EVERY [[CHARTERED COUNTY, CODE]] COUNTY,
MUNICIPAL CORPORATION AND BALTIMORE CITY MAY ENACT LAWS
IN WHICH AN HISTORICAL DISTRICT IS LOCATED, REQUIRING
THAT UTILITY COMPANIES RELOCATE UNDERGROUND EXISTING
OVERHEAD LINES AND FACILITIES WITHIN THE DEFINED PART OF
THE HISTORIC DISTRICT OR THE ENTIRE HISTORIC DISTRICT,
AND REQUIRING THE CONNECTION THERETO TO BE PLACED
UNDERGROUND IF NECESSARY BY PRIVATE OWNERS THEN RECEIVING
SERVICE FROM THE OVERHEAD LINES AND FACILITIES. THE LAW
SHALL PROVIDE:

(1)    THE ESTIMATED COST TO PROPERTY OWNERS FOR WORK
TO BE PERFORMED ON PRIVATE PROPERTY BE DETERMINED AND
MADE AVAILABLE TO AFFECTED PROPERTY OWNERS;

(2)    FINANCING OF THESE COSTS TO PRIVATE OWNERS BE
PROVIDED INCLUDING ANY CHARGES FOR THE AMORTIZATION OF
THE BONDS ISSUED TO INITIALLY COVER SUCH PRIVATE COSTS.
THE COUNTY, MUNICIPAL CORPORATION, OR BALTIMORE CITY MAY
ENTER INTO AGREEMENT WITH INDIVIDUAL PROPERTY OWNERS
WHEREUPON IT WILL ADVANCE FUNDS TO COVER THE PROPERTY
OWNER'S COSTS INVOLVED IN THE CONVERSION OF THE OVERHEAD
LINES AND FACILITIES AND MAY APPROPRIATE FUNDS, LEVY
TAXES OR BORROW FUNDS TO PAY AND ADVANCE THE COSTS OF
SUCH CONVERSION. THE COUNTY OR MUNICIPAL CORPORATION AND
BALTIMORE CITY ALSO MAY IMPOSE A BENEFIT ASSESSMENT