ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor                           H.B. 391

(1998 Volume and 2002 Supplement)

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,
Article - Public Utility Companies
Section 7-502(a)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(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.

(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

4.       all other direct and indirect costs of the Office of People's
Counsel.

(2) Based on the estimate, the Chairman shall determine the amount to
be paid by each public service company.

- 3609 -