SECTION 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Section 3 of this Act shall
take effect July 1, 2000, provided that, if the Public Service Commission delays
implementation of customer choice in accordance with the provisions of § 7-510(b) of
the Public Utility Companies Article, the surcharge funding the Environmental Trust
Fund pursuant to § 7-203 of the Public Utility Companies Article shall continue to be
collected as a per kilowatt hour surcharge on electricity generated within the State
until customer choice is implemented.

SECTION 5. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Governor is
authorized to submit a budget amendment for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2000,
transferring $6,000,000 from the Revenue Stabilization Fund to he used for the
purpose of educating consumers on electric utility industry restructuring. In
accordance with § 7-505(f) of the Public Utility Companies Article, the Public Service
Commission shall use the allocated funds during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2000,
to implement a consumer education program informing customers of changes in the
electric industry. On or before September 1, 1999, the Public Service Commission shall
report to the Governor and, subject to § 2-1246 of the State Government Article, to the
General Assembly on: (1) the recommended funding level, between $3,000,000 and
$6,000,000, for the consumer education program for the fiscal year ending June 30,
2001; (2) the recommended method of funding for the program; (3) if applicable, the
impact that the funding method will have on customers' costs for electricity; and (4) the
content of the media used in the program. On or before September 1, 2000, the Public
Service Commission shall report to the Governor and, subject to § 2-1246 of the State
Government Article, to the General Assembly on: (1) the recommended funding level,
between $3,000,000 and $6,000,000, for the consumer education program for the fiscal
year ending June 30, 2002; (2) the recommended method of funding for the
program;(3) if applicable, the impact that the funding method will have on customers'
costs for electricity; and (4) the content of the media used in the program.

SECTION 6. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, on or before December 1,
1999, the Public Service Commission shall report to the Governor and, subject to §
2-1246 of the State Government Article, to the General Assembly on: (1) the
determinations of any transition costs or any transition benefits for the various electric
companies; and (2) the status of the Public Service Commission's considerations
regarding the functional, operational, structural, or legal separation between electric
companies' regulated businesses and their nonregulated businesses or nonregulated
affiliates.

SECTION 7. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That if any provision of this
Act or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid for any
reason in a court of competent jurisdiction, the invalidity does not affect other
provisions or any other application of this Act which can be given effect without the
invalid provision or application, and for this purpose the provisions of this Act are
declared severable.

SECTION 8. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Section 2 of this Act shall
take effect on the later of July 1, 2000, and the initial implementation date that the
Public Service Commission determines for investor-owned utilities under § 7-510(b)(1)
of the Public Utility Companies Article, as enacted by this Act.