Ch. 106

1997 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(7) EVALUATE ANY TAXATION AND REGULATORY ISSUES ASSOCIATED
WITH RETAIL ELECTRIC COMPETITION WITH SPECIFIC FOCUS ON LOCAL PROPERTY
AND USE TAXES;

(8) EVALUATE THE SOCIAL. ENVIRONMENTAL, AND OTHER PUBLIC
SERVICE FUNCTIONS PROVIDED BY THE REGULATED ELECTRIC UTILITY INDUSTRY TO
DETERMINE THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF RETAIL ELECTRIC COMPETITION ON THESE
FUNCTIONS;

(8) (9) EVALUATE AND RECOMMEND THE WHETHER AND UNDER
WHAT TERMS UNDER WHICH RETAIL ELECTRIC COMPETITION SHOULD BE OFFERED
IN MARYLAND, AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING THE WHICH
RESTRUCTURING OF THE ELECTRIC UTILITY INDUSTRY IN MARYLAND SHOULD
PROCEED AND IN WHAT TIME FRAME;

(9) (10) DETERMINE IF LEGISLATION SHOULD BE INTRODUCED IN THE
1998 SESSION OF THE MARYLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO IMPLEMENT THE
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE TASK FORCE AND, IF SO, DRAFT A MODEL FOR THE
LEGISLATION; AN©

(10) EVALUATE THE IMPACT OF RETAIL ELECTRIC COMPETITION ON
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES; AND

(10) (11) CONSIDER ANY OTHER PERTINENT ISSUES.

(D) (F) THE MEMBERS OF THE TASK FORCE SHALL SERVE WITHOUT
COMPENSATION BUT ARE ENTITLED TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENSES UNDER
THE STANDARD STATE TRAVEL REGULATIONS, AS PROVIDED IN THE STATE
BUDGET.

(E) (G) THE DEPARTMENTS OF LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE AND FISCAL
SERVICES SHALL PROVIDE STAFF SUPPORT TO THE TASK FORCE.

(F) (H) THE TASK FORCE SHALL ISSUE A FINAL REPORT OF ITS FINDINGS
AND RECOMMENDATIONS, SUBJECT TO § 2-1312 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT
ARTICLE, TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 15, 1997.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
June 1, 1997 is an emergency measure, is necessary for the immediate preservation of the
public health and safety, has been passed by a yea and nay vote supported by three-fifths
of all of the members elected to each of the two Houses of the General Assembly, and
shall take effect from the date it is enacted. It shall remain effective for a period of 1 year
and 1 month and, at At the end of June 30, 1998, with no further action required by the
General Assembly, this Act shall be abrogated and of no further force and effect.

Approved April 8, 1997.

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