ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor

Ch. 95

2. The General Assembly may appropriate funds
supplemental to the funds collected under sub-subparagraph 1 of this subparagraph.

(ii) The fund is a continuing, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to
§ 7-302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.                                           

(iii) The purpose of the fund is to assist electric customers as
provided in subsection (a)(1) of this section.

(4)     The Department of Human Resources, with oversight by the
Commission, shall disburse the funds in accordance with the provisions of this
section.

(5)     (I) AT THE END OF A GIVEN FISCAL YEAR, ANY UNEXPENDED
FUNDS THAT WERE COLLECTED FOR THAT FISCAL YEAR SHALL BE RETAINED IN THE
FUND AND SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR DISBURSEMENT THROUGH THE END
FIRST 3 MONTHS OF THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR TO CUSTOMERS WHO:

1.       QUALIFY FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THE FUND DURING THE
GIVEN FISCAL YEAR; AND

2.       APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THE FUND BEFORE THE
END OF THE GIVEN FISCAL YEAR; AND

3.       REMAIN ELIGIBLE FOR ASSISTANCE AT THE TIME
SERVICES ARE PROVIDED.

(II) IF THE COMMISSION DETERMINES THAT AN EXTENSION IS
NEEDED, THE COMMISSION MAY EXTEND UP TO AN ADDITIONAL 3 MONTHS THE
PERIOD IN WHICH UNEXPENDED FUNDS MAY BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR
DISBURSEMENT UNDER SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH.

(II) (III) [In any year when there are unexpended funds, those
funds] ANY FUNDS COLLECTED FOR A GIVEN FISCAL YEAR THAT ARE RETAINED
UNDER SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH AND THAT REMAIN UNEXPENDED AT
THE END OF THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR PERIOD ALLOWED UNDER SUBPARAGRAPHS (I)
AND (II) OF THIS PARAGRAPH shall be returned to [the customer classes proportionate
to how the customer classes paid into] EACH CUSTOMER CLASS IN THE PROPORTION
THAT THE CUSTOMER CLASS CONTRIBUTED CHARGES TO the fund FOR THE GIVEN
FISCAL YEAR IN THE FORM OF A CREDIT TOWARD THE CHARGE ASSESSED IN THE
FOLLOWING FISCAL YEAR.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That Section(s) 7-512.1(g)
and (h), respectively, of Article - Public Utility Companies of the Annotated Code of
Maryland be renumbered to be Section(s) 7-512.1(e) and (f), respectively.

SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, notwithstanding the
requirements of § 7-512.1(b)(3) and (h)(5) of the Public Utility Companies Article and
§ 7-512.1(f)(5) of the Public Utility Companies Article, as enacted by this Act, the
Public Service Commission may retain any unexpended funds in the electric universal
service program fund at the end of June 30, 2003 and make the funds available for
disbursement through June 30, 2004 to electric customers who:

- 1223 -