(6) THE IMPACT OF USING OTHER FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL
BENCHMARKS ON COSTS AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE UNIVERSAL SERVICE
PROGRAM.

(D) THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF FUNDS TO BE USED FOR THE UNIVERSAL
SERVICE PROGRAM IN EACH OF THE 3 YEARS FOLLOWING THE INITIAL

IMPLEMENTATION DATE SHALL BE AS FOLLOWS:

(1) $34,000,000 FOR THE FIRST YEAR;

(2) $36,000,000 FOR THE SECOND YEAR; AND

(3) $38,000,000 FOR THE THIRD YEAR.

(E) (1) THE COMMISSION SHALL RECOMMEND A TOTAL AMOUNT OF FUNDS
TO BE USED FOR THE UNIVERSAL SERVICE PROGRAM FOR THE FOURTH YEAR, AND
EACH YEAR THEREAFTER.

(2) THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMISSION MAY ONLY BE MADE
AFTER CONSIDERATION OF:

(I) INFORMATION RELATED TO THE FUNDING FOR THE FIRST 3

YEARS;

(II) THE RETIREMENT, DURING THE FIRST 3 YEARS, OF
ARREARAGES INCURRED PRIOR TO THE INITIAL IMPLEMENTATION DATE; AND

(III) THE AMOUNT OF LOW INCOME ASSISTANCE INCLUDED IN
RATES PRIOR TO THE INITIAL IMPLEMENTATION DATE.

(F) FOR THE FOURTH YEAR AFTER THE INITIAL IMPLEMENTATION DATE, AND
FOR EACH YEAR THEREAFTER, THE AMOUNT TO BE USED FOR THE UNIVERSAL

SERVICE PROGRAM, DETERMINED AFTER CONSIDERATION OF THE

RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMISSION REQUIRED UNDER THIS SECTION, IS
SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THROUGH THE
ENACTMENT OF LEGISLATION.

(G) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF THIS ARTICLE, FOR THE 3
YEARS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE INITIAL IMPLEMENTATION DATE,
ELECTRICITY SUPPLIERS AND ELECTRIC COMPANIES MAY NOT TERMINATE, FOR AN
ARREARAGE BALANCE DUE ON THE INITIAL IMPLEMENTATION DATE, THE SUPPLY
OF ELECTRICITY TO A CUSTOMER WHO RECEIVES ASSISTANCE UNDER THE
UNIVERSAL SERVICE PROGRAM UNDER § 7-512.1 OF THIS SUBTITLE THIS SECTION.

7-513.

(A) (1) IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SUBSECTION, AN ELECTRIC COMPANY
SHALL BE PROVIDED A FAIR OPPORTUNITY TO RECOVER ALL OF ITS PRUDENTLY
INCURRED AND VERIFIABLE NET TRANSITION COSTS, SUBJECT TO FULL
MITIGATION, FOLLOWING THE COMMISSION'S DETERMINATION UNDER SUBSECTION
(B) OF THIS SECTION.