Ch. 95                                      2003 LAWS OF MARYLAND

EVERY 3 YEARS OR AT ANOTHER INTERVAL AS DIRECTED BY THE JOINT AUDIT
COMMITTEE AND SHALL REPORT THE RESULTS OF THE AUDIT TO THE GENERAL
ASSEMBLY.

(II) THE COST OF THE PERFORMANCE AUDIT UNDER THIS
PARAGRAPH SHALL BE INCLUDED IN THE COSTS OF ADMINISTERING THE
UNIVERSAL SERVICE PROGRAM, AND FUNDED THROUGH THE UNIVERSAL SERVICE
PROGRAM FUND UNDER SUBSECTION (F) OF THIS SECTION.

(d) The total amount of funds to be collected for the universal service program
[in each of the 3 years following the initial implementation date] EACH YEAR shall be
$34,000,000, allocated in the following manner:

(1)     $24.4 million shall be collected from the industrial and commercial
classes; and

(2)     $9.6 million shall be collected from the residential class.

[(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 this section.

(h) (1) In this subsection, "fund" means the universal service program fund.

(2)     There is a universal service program fund.

(3)     (i) 1. The Comptroller shall collect the revenue collected by
electric companies under subsection (b) of this section and place the revenue into the
fund.

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