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,
2003; (2) the recommended method of funding for the program; and (3) if applicable,
the impact that the funding method will have on customers' costs for electricity.

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 3 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 4 8. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Section 3 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.

SECTION 5 9. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Sections 1, 3, and 4 of
except as provided in Sections 4 and 8 of this Act, this Act shall take effect July 1,

1999.

Approved April 8, 1999.

CHAPTER 4
(House Bill 703)

AN ACT concerning

Electric Utility Industry Restructuring

FOR the purpose of enabling the restructuring of the electric utility industry of the
State in a certain manner, subject to oversight of the Public Service Commission;
stating the findings and declaration of intent of the General Assembly; requiring
the Commission to require certain consumer education programs, customer
information, nondiscrimination policies, and operational requirements;
requiring the Commission, in consultation with the Maryland Energy
Administration to report by a certain date on certain programs; requiring the
Commission to issue certain orders or adopt certain regulations before the
implementation of customer choice; prohibiting the disclosure of certain