ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor

Ch. 413

(1998 Volume and 2002 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Public Utility Companies

2-110.

(a)     In this section, "public service company" includes an electricity supplier
and a gas supplier as those terms are defined in § 1-101 of this article.

(b)     (1) The costs and expenses of the Commission and the Office of People's
Counsel shall be borne by the public service companies that are subject to the
Commission's jurisdiction.

(2)     The costs and expenses shall be assessed as provided in this section.

(3)     The Commission shall pay the money that it collects for the
assessment under this section into the Public Utility Regulation Fund in the State
Treasury established under § 2-110.1 of this subtitle to reimburse the State for the
expenses of the Commission and the Office of People's Counsel.

(c)      (1) (i) Before each State fiscal year, the Chairman of the Commission
shall estimate the Commission's total costs and expenses, including:

1.       the compensation and expenses of the Commission, its
officers, agents, and personnel;

2.       the cost of retirement contributions, Social Security,
health insurance, and other benefits required to be paid by the State for the personnel
of the Commission;

3.       all other maintenance and operation expenses of the
Commission; and

4.       all other direct and indirect costs of the Commission.

(ii) The estimate shall exclude the expenses associated with
services performed by the Commission for which the Commission is reimbursed under
this article.

(iii) The estimate shall include, as provided by the Office of People's
Counsel:

1.       the compensation and expenses of the Office of People's
Counsel, its officers, agents, and personnel;

2.       the cost of retirement contributions, Social Security,
health insurance, and other benefits required to be paid by the State for the personnel
of the Office of People's Counsel;

3.       all other maintenance and operation expenses of the Office
of People's Counsel; and

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