(c) (1) Within 30 days after the. Commission issues a bill under subsection
(b) of this section, the party billed may request a hearing as to the amount of the bill.

(2) Any amount of a bill that is not paid within 30 days after the date of
determination on a hearing or, if a hearing is not requested, on the date when
payment is due, shall bear annual interest at a rate, not less than 6%, that the
Commission sets by regulation.

(D) (1) THE TOTAL FEES ASSESSED BY THE COMMISSION UNDER THIS
SECTION MAY NOT EXCEED $10,000,000 IN ANY FISCAL YEAR.

(2) THE COMMISSION SHALL PAY THE FUNDS COLLECTED FROM FEES
ASSESSED UNDER THIS SECTION:

(I) (1) INTO THE GENERAL FUND OF THE STATE, FOR THE COSTS
AND EXPENSES OF THE OFFICE OF PEOPLE'S COUNSEL DETERMINED UNDER
SUBSECTION (B)(12)(II) OF THIS SECTION; AND

(II) (2) INTO THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION FUND, IN AN
AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $10,000,000, FOR THE OTHER COSTS AND EXPENSES OF THE
COMMISSION.

(E) (1) THERE IS A PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION FUND.

(2) THE FUND IS A SPECIAL CONTINUING, NONLAPSING FUND THAT IS
NOT SUBJECT TO § 7-302 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE.

(3) THE TREASURER SHALL SEPARATELY HOLD, AND THE
COMPTROLLER SHALL ACCOUNT FOR, THE FUND.

(4) THE FUND SHALL BE INVESTED AND REINVESTED IN THE SAME
MANNER AS OTHER STATE FUNDS.

(5) ANY INVESTMENT EARNINGS SHALL BE RETAINED TO THE CREDIT
OF THE FUND.

(6) THE FUND SHALL BE SUBJECT TO AN AUDIT BY THE OFFICE OF
LEGISLATIVE AUDITS AS PROVIDED FOR IN § 2-1220 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT
ARTICLE.

(7) THIS SECTION MAY NOT BE CONSTRUED TO PROHIBIT THE FUND
FROM RECEIVING FUNDS FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE.

(8) THE FUND SHALL BE USED ONLY TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE
COMMISSION AND FOR THE PURPOSES AUTHORIZED UNDER THIS ARTICLE.

2-203.

(a) The State budget shall provide sufficient money for the Office of People's
Counsel to hire necessary staff in addition to the staff assistance that is provided
under § 2-205(c)(2) of this subtitle.