(5) sewage disposal companies;

(6) [steam heating companies;

(7) ] telegraph companies;

[(8)] (7) telephone companies; or
[(9)] (8) water companies.
12-101.

(f) (1) "Owner" means a person that:

(i) owns or operates an underground facility; and

(ii) has the right to bury an underground facility.
(2) "Owner" includes:

(i) a public utility;

(ii) a telecommunications corporation;

(iii) a cable television corporation;

(iv) a political subdivision;

(v) a municipal corporation;

(VI) A STEAM HEATING COMPANY; and

[(vi)] (VII) an authority.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Section(s) 1-101(x)
through (gg), respectively, of Article - Public Utility Companies of the Annotated Code
of Maryland be renumbered to be Section(s) 1-101(w) through (ff), respectively.

SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That notwithstanding the
provisions of Section 1 of this Act:

(1) until October 1, 2002, a steam heating company that was subject to
regulation by the Public Service Commission as of September 30, 1999 shall:

(i) be bound by any rate structure that was in effect for the
company on September 30, 1999, unless a change in the rate structure would decrease
rates; and

(ii) maintain service to its customers, unless:

A. the customer chooses not to be served; or

B. the customer fails to comply with the terms of the service
agreement in place on September 30, 1999;