# Public Utilities (GPU)

## Title 12. Underground Facilities

### Subtitle 1. Excavation or Demolition Near Underground Facilities

#### Section 12-112

(a) To enforce this subtitle, the Authority:

  (1) shall accept and review complaints for violations of this subtitle; and

  (2) may recommend necessary enforcement actions.

(b)

  (1) The Authority shall:

    (i) hear complaints for violations of this subtitle:

      (1) at the request of a probable violator; or

      (2) after notifying a probable violator that the Authority has scheduled a hearing on its own motion; and

    (ii) after a hearing, assess a civil penalty under Sec. 12-135 of this subtitle.

  (2) The Authority may reach a settlement instead of assessing a civil penalty.

  (3) If a probable violator fails to appear at a scheduled hearing, the Authority may vote to proceed to hear the complaint against the probable violator in the absence of the probable violator.

(c)

  (1) The Authority may:

    (i) establish reasonable complaint filing fees and administrative fees for complaints heard by the Authority; and

    (ii) use the services of a third party to collect civil penalties.

  (2) If the Authority determines that an individual cannot afford to pay a fee established under paragraph (1)(i) of this subsection, the Authority may exempt the individual wholly or partly from the fee.

(d) The Authority may not assess a civil penalty against a person unless the person:

  (1) receives reasonable prior notice of the complaint; and

  (2) has an opportunity to be heard under Sec. 12-113 of this subtitle.

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Md. Code Ann., Pub. Util. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)