Ch. 6                                       2004 LAWS OF MARYLAND

2. converts signals from a dish antenna for use by a
television set.

(2) The Director of the Maryland Energy Administration shall:

(i) monitor the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) study
of standby energy consumption in set-top boxes and options for reduction of this
energy consumption;

(ii) within available funds, after any further appropriate
consultation with the EPA so as not to duplicate effort, and after consultation with
representatives of the State cable telecommunications industry, the State satellite
broadcast industry, the State television broadcast industry, the State retail
merchants, the set-top box manufacturing industry, and State nonprofit advocates of
energy conservation and efficiency, assess the technological and policy options for the
reduction of standby energy consumption in set-top boxes sold and installed in
Maryland; and

(iii) in accordance with § 2-1246 of the State Government Article,
report to the General Assembly and the Governor by December 1, 2003, including all
available information from the EPA study of this issue.

SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That if, by action of the
General Assembly, the Maryland Energy Administration is unable to carry out its
responsibilities under this Act, the Governor shall reassign the obligation to carry out
these responsibilities to the Department of the Environment or any other appropriate
State agency.

SECTION 2. 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take
effect July 1, 2003. Section 2 of this Act shall remain effective for a period of 6 months
and, at the end of December 31, 2003, with no further action required by the General
Assembly, Section 2 of this Act shall be abrogated and of no further force and effect.

Enacted January 22, 2004.

CHAPTER 6
(House Bill 345)

AN ACT concerning

Bridge to Excellence in Public Schools Act - Trigger Provision - Repeal

FOR the purpose of repealing the provision in the Bridge to Excellence in Public
Schools Act, commonly referred to as the "trigger provision", that makes certain
State aid for education contingent on the adoption of a joint resolution by the
General Assembly by a certain date; repealing the provision of the Act
establishing an alternative funding level of State aid for education if the joint
resolution is not adopted by a certain date; making this Act an emergency
measure; and generally relating to the repeal of the trigger provision in the

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