2088

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 756

PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF RESIDENTIAL AND NONCOMMERCIAL
USERS.

(B)         THE OFFICE OF PEOPLE'S COUNSEL SHALL MAKE SUCH
INVESTIGATIONS AND REQUEST THE COMMISSION TO INITIATE
SUCH PROCEEDINGS AS THAT OFFICE DEEMS NECESSARY TO
PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF RESIDENTIAL AND NONCOMMERCIAL
USERS.

(C)         CONSISTENT WITH THE PROVISIONS OF        ANY
APPLICABLE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT, THE OFFICE OF
PEOPLE'S COUNSEL SHALL HAVE FULL ACCESS TO THE
COMMISSION'S RECORDS AND, EXCEPT AS HEREINAFTER PROVIDED,
SHALL HAVE THE BENEFIT OF ALL OTHER FACILITIES OR
INFORMATION OF THE COMMISSION IN CARRYING OUT ITS DUTIES.
THE OFFICE OF PEOPLE'S COUNSEL SHALL BE ENTITLED TO CALL
UPON THE ASSISTANCE OF THE COMMISSION STAFF IF THE
[[COMMISSION]]STAFF DETERMINES THAT THIS IS CONSISTENT
WITH THE [[COMMISSION'S]] STAFF'S RESPONSIBILITIES AND IF
THE [[COMMISSION]]STAFF AND THE OFFICE OF PEOPLE'S
COUNSEL AGREE THAT THE SHARING, IN A PARTICULAR MATTER,
IS CONSISTENT WITH [[THE INTERESTS OF RESIDENTIAL AND
NONCOMMERCIAL USERS]] THEIR RESPECTIVE INTERESTS .

(D)          THE OFFICE OF PEOPLE'S COUNSEL MAY RECOMMEND
TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY LEGISLATION ON ANY MATTER WITHIN
OR RELATED TO THE COMMISSION'S JURISDICTION WHICH IN ITS
JUDGMENT WOULD AFFECT THE INTERESTS OF NONCOMMERCIAL OR
RESIDENTIAL USERS.

16.

(A)    THE ANNUAL BUDGET SHALL PROVIDE SUFFICIENT
FUNDS FOR THE COMMISSION TO HIRE, DEVELOP, AND ORGANIZE A
STAFF TO PERFORM ITS FUNCTIONS UNDER THIS ARTICLE,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE ANALYSIS OF ALL DATA
SUBMITTED TO THE COMMISSION AND THE PREPARATION OF A
STAFF POSITION IN MATTERS PENDING BEFORE THE COMMISSION.
THE STAFF SHALL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO ECONOMISTS,
COST OF CAPITAL EXPERTS, RATE DESIGN EXPERTS,
ACCOUNTANTS, ENGINEERS, TRANSPORTATION SPECIALISTS,
LAWYERS, AND ANY OTHER EXPERTS DEEMED NECESSARY TO MEET
THE NEEDS OF THE COMMISSION. THE COMMISSION MAY, FROM
TIME TO TIME, RETAIN ADDITIONAL EXPERTS AS REQUIRED FOR A
PARTICULAR MATTER. THOSE LAWYERS WHO REPRESENT THE
COMMISSION STAFF IN PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE COMMISSION
SHALL BE ORGANIZED AND OPERATE INDEPENDENTLY OF THE
OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL.

(B)    THE COMMISSION SHALL HIRE HEARING EXAMINERS TO
THE EXTENT REQUIRED. HEARING EXAMINERS SHALL CONSTITUTE
A SEPARATE ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT REPORTING DIRECTLY TO THE
COMMISSION AND SHALL PERFORM NO OTHER STAFF FUNCTIONS
THAN THOSE RELATING TO HEARINGS.

(C)    THE COMMISSION SHALL HIRE PERSONAL STAFF FOR
THE COMMISSIONERS TO THE EXTENT REQUIRED TO ADVISE
COMMISSIONERS, DRAFT PROPOSED ORDERS AND RULINGS, AND