PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor

Ch. 106

CHAPTER 106
(Senate Bill 851)

AN ACT concerning

Task Force to Study Retail Electric Competition and the Restructuring of the Electric

Utility Industry

FOR the purpose of establishing a Task Force to Study Retail Electric Competition and
the Restructuring of the Electric Utility Industry; providing for the membership,
duties, and staffing of the Task Force; establishing a certain advisory group to assist
the Task Force in certain deliberations; providing for the membership of the
advisory group; requiring the Task Force to conduct hearings and make a report and
recommendations by a certain date; requiring the Task Force to study open access
to retail electric competition and restructuring of the electric utility industry in
Maryland, to study retail electric competition and electricity utility restructuring in
other states, and to evaluate the potential benefits and impacts on Maryland citizens
and businesses; providing for the effective date and termination of this Act; making
this Act an emergency measure; and generally relating to the Task Force to Study
Retail Electric Competition and the Restructuring of the Electric Utility Industry.

BY adding to

Article 41 - Governor - Executive and Administrative Departments

Section 18-313

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1997 Replacement Volume)

Preamble

WHEREAS, Allowing retail customers of electric generation to have open access to
competitive suppliers of retail electricity is being considered by the U.S. Congress and a
majority of states; and has already been mandated by at least one neighboring state; and

WHEREAS, The ability of Maryland citizens and businesses to compete in the
global market may be harmed unless they have access to reliable electrical power at rates
and on terms which are competitive with rates and terms in other states; and

WHEREAS, Legislation designed to implement retail competition and any
associated restructuring of the electric utility industry will require a careful examination
of existing law, and the provisions of that legislation must take into account a variety of
issues and factors; and

WHEREAS, Legislation may be needed to supplement the proceedings of the
Public Service Commission; now, therefore,

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

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