<section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="17-101" title_number="17" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Commissioners"> <level label="a"> <text>There is a Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Commission has jurisdiction over the sanitary district.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="17-102" title_number="17" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Commissioners"> <level label="a"> <text>The Commission consists of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>three commissioners from Prince George’s County, appointed by the County Executive subject to the confirmation of the County Council; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>three commissioners from Montgomery County, of whom:</text> <level label="i"> <text>two are appointed by the County Executive subject to the confirmation of the County Council; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>one is the Director of the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection, or the Director’s designee.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Each commissioner from Prince George’s County shall be a resident of the sanitary district.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>Except for the commissioner who also serves as the Director of the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection, or is the Director’s designee, each commissioner from Montgomery County shall be a registered voter of Montgomery County.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Each commissioner from Prince George’s County shall be a registered voter of Prince George’s County.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (a)(2)(ii) of this section, an individual may not be appointed or continue in office as a commissioner if the individual holds any other position of profit or trust under the Constitution or laws of the State or any political subdivision of the State.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Not more than two commissioners from Montgomery County may be of the same political party.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection does not apply to the commissioner who also serves as the Director of the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection, or the Director’s designee.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The term of a commissioner is 4 years and begins on June 1 of the year of appointment.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The terms of commissioners are staggered as required by the terms provided for commissioners on July 1, 1982.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>At the end of a term, a commissioner continues to serve until a successor is appointed and takes the oath of office.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>A commissioner who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and takes the oath of office.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>A vacancy on the Commission does not impair the right of the remaining commissioners to exercise all the powers of the Commission.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>A member of the Commission who also serves as the Director of the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection, or is the Director’s designee:</text> <level label="1"> <text>serves as a voting member of the Commission; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>may serve as the chair or vice chair of the Commission.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="17-103" title_number="17" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Commissioners"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The County Executive shall make an appointment from a list of applicants.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The list shall be:</text> <level label="i"> <text>completed at least 3 weeks before the date the appointment is made; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>open to the public for inspection from the time the list is prepared until the appointment is made.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>If an individual is not appointed from the names on the list, the County Executive shall prepare additional lists and follow the procedure under paragraph (2) of this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The 3–week period before the date the appointment is made begins with the closing of each list.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the County Executive or a designee of the County Executive may interview in private each applicant for appointment or reappointment to the Commission regarding possible or potential conflicts of interest.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Before appointment, the County Executive or a designee of the County Executive shall interview in private an applicant who is selected for appointment to the Commission regarding possible or potential conflicts of interest.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Before appointment, the County Executive of Prince George’s County or a designee of the County Executive shall inform the Prince George’s County Council of possible or potential conflicts of interest of an applicant who is selected for appointment to the Commission.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>A written transcript of an interview under subsection (b) of this section:</text> <level label="i"> <text>shall be made;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>may be reviewed by the applicant, unless the right to review is waived by the applicant;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>may be altered for the applicant by the transcribing officer, if the transcript is accompanied by a statement of the reason given by the applicant for the alteration; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>shall be signed by the applicant.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The transcribing officer shall certify on the transcript that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the applicant was sworn by the officer; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the transcript is a true record of the testimony given by the applicant.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The County Executive of Montgomery County or a designee of the County Executive shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>publicly disclose the complete transcribed testimony of an appointee to the Commission 3 weeks after the appointment; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>destroy immediately the complete transcript of any other applicant without disclosure of any information contained in the transcript.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>In Montgomery County, if the County Executive or a designee of the County Executive conducts an interview under subsection (b) of this section, the applicant shall be interviewed:</text> <level label="i"> <text>in a question and answer fashion;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>under oath; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>about all sources of income, property holdings, business interests, and financial interests of the applicant and the applicant’s spouse, father, mother, brother, sister, and child.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The County Executive of Montgomery County or a designee of the County Executive may require the applicant to produce documents.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="17-104" title_number="17" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Commissioners"> <level label="a"> <text>A commissioner may be removed before the completion of the commissioner’s term:</text> <level label="1"> <text>in Montgomery County:</text> <level label="i"> <text>by the County Executive with the approval of a majority of the members of the County Council; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>unless the County Executive disapproves the resolution in writing within 30 days after its adoption, by resolution of a majority of the members of the County Council; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>in Prince George’s County, by the County Executive with the approval of a majority of the members of the County Council.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Unless a hearing is waived in writing by the commissioner designated for removal, before any removal under this section, a public hearing shall be held:</text> <level label="i"> <text>in Montgomery County, by the body initiating the removal proceeding; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>in Prince George’s County, by the County Council.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The commissioner shall be given an opportunity at the hearing to present a defense.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="17-105" title_number="17" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Commissioners"> <level label="a"> <text>From among its members, the Commission shall elect a chair and a vice chair.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The election of the chair and vice chair shall be at the first meeting of the Commission in June of each year, or as soon after the meeting as possible.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Of the chair and vice chair:</text> <level label="i"> <text>one shall be from Montgomery County and the other shall be from Prince George’s County; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>each office shall alternate annually between Montgomery County and Prince George’s County.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>By unanimous vote, the Commission may waive the provisions of paragraph (2)(ii) of this subsection for 1 year.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Commission may not waive the provisions of paragraph (2)(ii) of this subsection for 2 successive years.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Each officer shall serve for 1 year or until a successor is elected.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Each officer shall perform the duties designated by the Commission.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>If a vacancy exists in the position of chair or vice chair, the Commission promptly shall elect a new chair or vice chair for the remaining portion of the 1–year term of office.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, if the vacancy in the position of chair or vice chair results from resignation or removal from the Commission, the election to fill the unexpired portion of the officer’s term shall be held only after the Commission vacancy has been filled.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Commission may elect an acting chair or vice chair to serve until the vacancy has been filled.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="17-106" title_number="17" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Commissioners"> <level label="a"> <text>The Commission shall determine the times and places of its meetings.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Commission shall keep minutes in the usual corporate form.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The votes of the commissioners shall be:</text> <level label="i"> <text>taken and recorded for any action that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>authorizes, modifies, or rescinds a water or sanitary sewer extension; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>adopts or amends a water or sewer program of extensions;</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>taken separately; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>recorded as yeas, nays, or abstentions.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Commission shall record in the minutes:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the name of a commissioner who votes or abstains;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the reason for an abstention;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a brief summary of the matters on which a vote is taken; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>any disclosure made under § 19–103 of this article.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The minutes shall be open to public inspection at the principal office of the Commission during business hours.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>The Commission shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>except as provided in paragraph (4) of this subsection, stream live video or live teleconference audio or other audio of the open meetings of the Commission; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>maintain on its website a complete and unedited archived recording of each open meeting that is livestreamed in accordance with this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The inability of the Commission to comply with paragraph (1) of this subsection due to technical failure that entirely prevents or otherwise affects the quality of the live video or audio streaming of a meeting of the Commission does not affect the validity of any action taken by the Commission during the meeting if:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the Commission otherwise complies with this section and the Open Meetings Act; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the inability to comply is not due to willful action by the Commission.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>In addition to complying with the minutes requirements of the Open Meetings Act under § 3–306 of the General Provisions Article, if the Commission is unable to comply with the requirements of paragraph (1)(i) of this subsection, the Commission shall make good faith efforts to record an open session by video or audio and maintain on its website a complete and unedited archived recording of the meeting.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A project site visit or an educational field tour does not constitute an open meeting under paragraph (1)(i) of this subsection if no organizational business is conducted.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="17-107" title_number="17" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Commissioners"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, the members of the Commission are entitled to the following annual salaries:</text> <level label="i"> <text>chair $13,500;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>vice chair $13,000; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>commissioners $13,000.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The salary shall be paid every 2 weeks.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>While in office, commissioners may participate in any Commission program of group health, life, and disability insurance to the same extent and under the same terms as Commission staff.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Commission may employ a staff in accordance with the Commission’s budget.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A member of the Commission who also serves as the Director of the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection may not receive compensation for duties performed as a member of the Commission.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="17-201" title_number="17" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Legal and Financial Affairs"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Commission is a body corporate.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Commission may:</text> <level label="i"> <text>use a common seal;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>sue and be sued; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>do any other corporate act for the purpose of carrying out this division.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Commission shall certify to the county councils of Montgomery County and Prince George’s County a tax rate that will, when imposed and collected in accordance with § 22–106 of this article, produce an amount sufficient to satisfy:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a judgment against the Commission, including related costs and attorney’s fees; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a settlement agreement to resolve threatened or pending litigation, including related costs and attorney’s fees.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Commission shall certify the tax rate under paragraph (1) of this subsection at the beginning of the taxable year for property taxes of the county councils of Montgomery County and Prince George’s County immediately following the date of the judgment or settlement agreement described in paragraph (1) of this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The tax rate described in this subsection is in addition to any tax required under this division for interest, serial bonds, or sinking fund requirements.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>All acts, orders, and regulations previously passed by the Commission while sitting in the District of Columbia are ratified and shall be given the same force and effect as if passed in the State.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="17-202" title_number="17" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Legal and Financial Affairs"> <level label="a"> <text>The Commission:</text> <level label="1"> <text>before January 15 of each year, shall prepare capital and operating budgets for the next fiscal year that shall include projects and contracts authorized under §§ 17–204 and 17–205 of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>shall make available to the public, on request, copies of the budgets described in item (1) of this subsection;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>before February 15 of each year, shall hold a public hearing on the proposed capital and operating budgets after giving at least 21 days’ notice of the hearing by publication in at least two newspapers of general circulation in Montgomery County and two newspapers of general circulation in Prince George’s County;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>on or before March 1 of each year, shall submit to the county executives of Montgomery County and Prince George’s County the proposed capital and operating budgets for the next fiscal year, including the record of any public hearing on the proposed capital or operating budget held by the Commission;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>shall identify the sources of revenue allocable to each proposed expenditure;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>shall propose a complete schedule of rates for water service charges, sewer usage charges, and ad valorem taxes that the Commission considers necessary to finance the capital and operating budgets;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>shall certify the amount necessary to be raised for the next fiscal year for debt service payments on all outstanding bonds and notes of the Commission; and</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>between March 1 and April 1 of each year, may submit to the county executives of Montgomery County and Prince George’s County amendments to the proposed capital or operating budget, including a declaration of need identifying the sources of revenue allocable to the proposed amendments.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The county executives of Montgomery County and Prince George’s County shall submit to the respective county council:</text> <level label="1"> <text>on or before March 15 of each year, the proposed capital and operating budgets, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>recommendations on the proposed capital and operating budgets; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the record of any public hearing on the capital or operating budget held by the Commission; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>any amendments to the proposed capital and operating budgets with the county executive’s recommendations within 10 days after receipt of the amendments.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The county councils of Montgomery County and Prince George’s County:</text> <level label="i"> <text>after giving public notice, may hold public hearings on the proposed capital and operating budgets not earlier than 21 calendar days after receipt of the capital and operating budgets from the respective county executive;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>may add to, delete from, increase, or decrease an item of the capital or operating budget;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>on or before May 15 of each year, shall submit any proposed changes to the capital or operating budgets to the other county council for review and concurrence; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>on or before June 1 of each year, shall approve the capital and operating budgets and submit them to the Commission.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>If the county councils fail to concur in a change with respect to any item in the capital or operating budget on or before June 1 of each year, the failure to concur constitutes approval of the item as submitted by the Commission.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If the county councils fail to approve the capital and operating budgets on or before June 1 of each year, the proposed capital and operating budgets of the Commission are deemed approved.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The Commission may submit detailed proposed supplements to the approved capital and operating budgets to the county executives of Montgomery County and Prince George’s County.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Within 10 days after receipt of a proposed budget supplement, each county executive shall submit the proposed budget supplement, including recommendations, to the respective county council.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Each county council:</text> <level label="i"> <text>may hold public hearings on the proposed budget supplement; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>may add to, delete from, increase, or decrease the proposed budget supplement.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The failure of the county councils to jointly approve or amend the proposed budget supplement within 90 days after the date that the Commission submits the proposed budget supplement to the county executives constitutes disapproval of the supplement as submitted by the Commission.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>On submission of the approved capital and operating budgets the county councils of Montgomery County and Prince George’s County may jointly recommend to the Commission rates for:</text> <level label="i"> <text>water service charges;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>sewer usage charges; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>ad valorem taxes.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>On receipt of the capital and operating budgets and recommendations from the county councils, the Commission shall approve a rate schedule.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>In approving a rate schedule the Commission shall consider the proposed rate changes jointly recommended by the county councils.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Subject to § 25–101 of this article, the rates for water service charges and sewer usage charges shall be uniform throughout the sanitary district.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="17-202.1" title_number="17" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Legal and Financial Affairs"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>On or before November 1, 2025, the Commission shall submit the following information to the county councils of Montgomery County and Prince George’s County and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a long–range comprehensive financial plan that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>is developed by the Commission in conjunction with an independent financial advisor; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>meets the requirements of subsection (b) of this section; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>any updated Commission policies relating to financial management.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>On or before June 1, 2026, and every 5 years thereafter, the Commission shall submit to the county councils of Montgomery County and Prince George’s County and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly:</text> <level label="i"> <text>an updated version of the long–range comprehensive financial plan; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>any updated Commission policies relating to financial management.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A long–range comprehensive financial plan shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>include stress testing based on industry standards; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>test the impact of a wide range of economic conditions that may affect the Commission and its financial solvency, including changes in employment rates, interest rates, and water usage.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Commission shall publish the long–range comprehensive financial plan on the Commission’s website established under § 17–401 of this title.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="17-203" title_number="17" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Legal and Financial Affairs"> <text>Approval by the governing bodies of Montgomery County and Prince George’s County is required before the construction of any new Commission administration building or any substantial addition to an existing Commission administration building.</text> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="17-204" future_version_removed="true" title_number="17" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Legal and Financial Affairs"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section, “border property” means property that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>is located:</text> <level label="1"> <text>on a boundary line with the District of Columbia; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>within one–half mile of:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>a regional transit district or neighborhood center in Prince George’s County; and</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>an existing mass transit rail station that is operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority;</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>lacks frontage on a right–of–way in Prince George’s County to connect water service, sewer service, or water and sewer service;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>qualifies as an expedited transit–oriented development project under the zoning laws of the county; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>obtained site plan approval in the county on or after January 1, 2021, but before January 1, 2023.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Border property” includes any property, regardless of the date of site plan approval or site plan revision, that is:</text> <level label="i"> <text>adjacent to a property that obtained site approval under paragraph (1)(iv) of this subsection; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>owned by the same entity that owns the property that obtained site approval under paragraph (1)(iv) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Commission may enter into a contract or agreement concerning the construction, maintenance, and operation of the water supply, sewer, or drainage systems under its control or under the control or ownership of the District of Columbia or any other agency, authority, or commission specified in this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Commission may enter into a contract or agreement under paragraph (1) of this subsection with:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the District of Columbia;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>for systems located in border properties, the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>any federal, state, county, or municipal authority in the State or any other state; or</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>any public water, sewer, or drainage commission in the State or any other state.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Commission may contract with, as a primary party or as a subcontractor, or invest in any person for the ownership, joint–venturing, management, operation, supervision, assistance, participation, or any other activity relating to the design, construction, operation, maintenance, or management of water or wastewater systems, including systems, services, expertise, intellectual property, and techniques developed in connection with, or usable or marketable with respect to, water or wastewater systems.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Notwithstanding any other provision of law and subject to the requirements of this subsection, the Commission may contract with the District of Columbia or the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority concerning the construction, maintenance, and operation of a water supply, sewer, or drainage system by authorizing the District of Columbia or the Authority to provide water service, sewer service, or water and sewer service to a border property.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any contract entered into under this subsection between the Commission and the District of Columbia or the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>allocate the maintenance costs of the water supply, sewer, or drainage system;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>allocate billing and collection responsibilities;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>require multifamily housing units served under the contract to use master meters;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>notwithstanding § 25–501(b)(2) of this division, provide for a service rate setting procedure for water service and sewer service that is based on the amount of water used;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>provide notice of the Commission’s authority to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>charge the account of each customer served under the contract:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>the minimum or ready to serve charges set by the Commission under § 25–502 of this division;</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>a fee that accounts for any additional operational costs that the Commission may incur in carrying out the duties under a contract entered into under this section if those duties are not required for other customer accounts within the sanitary district, as defined in § 16–101 of this article; and</text> </level> <level label="C"> <text>any other fee required by State law, including the Bay Restoration Fee under § 9–1605.2 of the Environment Article;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>inspect, read, and replace meters and other equipment; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>in accordance with this division and the regulations adopted by the Commission, terminate the water service of a customer served under the contract;</text> </level> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>require the Commission and the District of Columbia or the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority to notify customers of any health and safety advisories;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>based on a notification schedule agreed to by the Commission and the District of Columbia or the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority, require notification to customers served under the contract that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the District of Columbia or the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority is the provider of water service, sewer service, or water and sewer service to the border property;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the Commission is the authorized billing agent for the District of Columbia or the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the Commission is authorized to inspect, read, and replace meters and other equipment;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>lateral water service and sewer lines are the responsibility of the property owner and not the Commission, the District of Columbia, or the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the customer may be able to participate in a Customer Assistance Program or an Indirect Customer Assistance Program established under § 25–501.1 of this division; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>the customer may be charged higher service rates for water service and sewer service than other Commission customers because the District of Columbia or the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority, and not the Commission, is the direct provider of water service, sewer service, or water and sewer service; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>limit the ability of the Commission, the District of Columbia, or the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority to reduce services provided to a customer served under the contract.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>Any contract or agreement entered into under this section has the full effect of a contract between the District of Columbia and the State or between the other agencies, authorities, or persons described in the section and this State.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The authority granted in this section is in addition to, and is not limited by, the authority granted by any other Act of the General Assembly.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="17-205" title_number="17" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Legal and Financial Affairs"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “product” or “technology” does not include water or sewer service provided as part of the primary mission of the Commission in the sanitary district or through systems connected directly to and operated as part of the water and sewer system in the sanitary district.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Subject to subsection (d) of this section, the Commission may sell, lease, or license to the public, or enter into a contract concerning:</text> <level label="1"> <text>any product or technology that is produced or developed by the Commission in the normal course of operations, including patents, trademarks, and copyrights;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>any service directly related to a product or technology described in item (1) of this subsection; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>any system, service, expertise, intellectual property, or technique developed, owned, or controlled by or under the jurisdiction of the Commission.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Commission may adopt a price structure for an item described in subsection (b) of this section based on any factors that the Commission considers relevant, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the costs of creating, developing, reproducing, and delivering the product or technology;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>overhead and labor costs; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the fair market value of the product or technology.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The Commission shall account for expenditures and revenues resulting from sales under this section by establishing a separate set of accounts.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The accounts established under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be itemized and included in the Commission’s annual budget.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Commission shall use any net revenues earned from projects and contracts entered into under this section to stabilize or reduce rates and to reduce debt.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="17-206" title_number="17" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Legal and Financial Affairs"> <level label="a"> <text>The Commission may finance initial program development costs and other project costs for a project subject to this subtitle from Commission funding sources other than revenue bond proceeds only if those costs are reimbursed from project revenues.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>In any fiscal year, funding of initial program development costs and other project costs under subsection (a) of this section may not exceed an amount equal to 3% of the gross revenues of the Commission from water service charges and sewer usage charges for the immediately preceding fiscal year.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Any project, contract, or transaction entered into under this subtitle that uses revenue bonds issued under Title 22, Subtitle 2 of this article shall be entered into by the Commission through the use of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a limited liability company;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a limited liability partnership;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a limited partnership; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>another comparable limited liability entity or arrangement.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="17-301" title_number="17" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Payment of Commission Obligations"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Proper invoice” means an invoice that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>contains the contractor’s federal employer’s identification number or Social Security number;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>contains the contract or purchase order number or other description of the contract; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>contains or is accompanied by the substantiating information and documentation required by regulation or contract.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Receipt date” means the date that a proper invoice is received by the Commission.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="17-302" title_number="17" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Payment of Commission Obligations"> <text>It is the policy of the Commission that the Commission shall make a payment in accordance with any authorized, written procurement contract to the contractor within 30 calendar days after the receipt date of a proper invoice.</text> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="17-303" title_number="17" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Payment of Commission Obligations"> <text>Any amount due and payable under law and an authorized, written procurement contract that remains unpaid for more than 45 calendar days after the receipt date shall accrue interest, at the rate specified in § 11–107(a) of the Courts Article, for the period that begins 31 calendar days after the receipt date.</text> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="17-304" title_number="17" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Payment of Commission Obligations"> <text>The Commission is not liable for the payment of interest under this subtitle:</text> <level label="1"> <text>if a proper invoice for accrued interest is not submitted within 30 calendar days after the date of the Commission’s check for payment of the amount on which the interest accrued;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>for more than 1 year following the 31st calendar day after the receipt date;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>on amounts representing unpaid interest; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>if there is a dispute, as determined by the Commission, as to any material factor in the contract or purchase order.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="17-401" title_number="17" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous Powers and Duties"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>“Payee” means a person that receives from the Commission an aggregate payment of $25,000 in a single fiscal year.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Payee” does not include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a Commission employee with respect to the employee’s compensation; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a Commission retiree with respect to the retiree’s retirement allowance.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Searchable website” means a website created in accordance with this section that displays and searches payment data of the Commission.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Commission shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>publish annually in at least one newspaper in Montgomery County and one newspaper in Prince George’s County a copy of the current financial statement of the Commission;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>employ a certified public accountant licensed to practice in the State to audit the books and accounts of the Commission;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>keep available for public inspection during business hours at its principal office the annual audit and current financial statement; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>file annually with the county executives and county councils of Montgomery County and Prince George’s County, and the Montgomery County and Prince George’s County Senate and House delegations to the Maryland General Assembly a certified copy of the annual audit and current financial statement.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>On or before July 1, 2020, the Commission shall develop and operate a single searchable website accessible to the public at no cost through the Internet.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The searchable website shall contain Commission payment data including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the name of each payee receiving a payment;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the location of the payee by postal zip code; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the amount of the payment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The searchable website shall allow the user to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>search data for fiscal year 2019 and each fiscal year thereafter; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>search by the following data fields:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a payee receiving a payment; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the zip code of a payee receiving a payment.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the searchable website shall contain:</text> <level label="i"> <text>any documents relating to a bond rating received from a major credit rating agency;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>data related to the Refund Hearing Board of the Commission, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the number of cases filed;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the number of cases closed;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the number of cases granted;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the number of cases denied;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the refund amount requested in each case; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>the refund amount granted in each case;</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>data related to the Dispute Resolving Board of the Commission, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the number of cases filed;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the number of cases closed;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the number of cases granted;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the number of cases denied;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the unpaid amount disputed in each case; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>the amount of relief granted in each case; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>a copy of any stress testing completed for a long–range comprehensive financial plan developed in accordance with § 17–202.1 of this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The data provided under paragraph (1) of this subsection may not contain any personally identifiable information.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>This section may not be construed to require the disclosure of information that is required to be kept confidential under federal, State, or local law.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the county council or county executive of Montgomery County or Prince George’s County may, in person or by a duly authorized agent, audit and examine the books and records of the Commission.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Commission may not be required to pay the cost of the audit or examination under paragraph (1) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="17-402" title_number="17" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous Powers and Duties"> <text>The Commission may not discriminate against a person on the basis of sex, race, creed, color, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, gender identity, genetic information, family responsibilities, or national origin.</text> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="17-402.1" title_number="17" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous Powers and Duties"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Commission may not enter into a contract unless the contract contains a provision obliging the contractor:</text> <level label="i"> <text>not to discriminate in any manner against an employee or an applicant for employment on the basis of sex, race, creed, color, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, gender identity, genetic information, or national origin; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>to include a similar nondiscrimination provision in all subcontracts.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>If the nondiscrimination provision is omitted from a contract or subcontract, the Commission shall provide the contractor a reasonable opportunity to cure the defect, subject to this section.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If the contractor fails to cure the defect:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the Commission may declare the contract to be void; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the contractor is entitled to the reasonable value of work performed and materials provided by the contractor.</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>If the contractor cures the defect, the contract remains in force according to its revised terms.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>In accordance with this section, the Commission may compel a contractor to continue to perform under a contract if:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the contractor willfully fails to comply with the requirements of a nondiscrimination provision; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the contract is partially executory.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the Commission compels performance under this subsection, the Commission:</text> <level label="i"> <text>is liable for no more than the reasonable value of work performed and materials provided by the contractor after the date on which the breach of contract was or should have been discovered; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>shall deduct any money that has been paid under the contract from the money that comes due under item (i) of this paragraph.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>If a subcontractor willfully fails to comply with the requirements of a nondiscrimination provision, the contractor may declare the subcontract to be void.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If a contractor declares a subcontract to be void under this subsection, the contractor is liable for no more than the reasonable value of work performed or materials provided by the subcontractor.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="17-403" title_number="17" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous Powers and Duties"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as otherwise provided by this division, the Commission may adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this division and any other laws the administration and enforcement of which are vested in the Commission.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Commission may:</text> <level label="i"> <text>limit or regulate the use and supply of water service and sanitary sewer service on a temporary basis in any area or to any premises served by the Commission’s facilities, as the needs of the occasion and the protection of the Commission’s systems require;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>adopt regulations that the Commission considers necessary for the public safety, health, comfort, or convenience in the construction, operation, maintenance, expansion, relocation, replacement, renovation, and repair of the Commission’s water system and sanitary sewer system; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>establish the forms of permits and specify the nature, type, and amount of information, detail, and engineering data that a person must submit to the Commission for any permit authorized or required by this division.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Except for the immediate preservation of the public health and safety or for emergency provisions required to protect the Commission’s systems, the Commission shall publish a notice of any new regulation that is authorized by this section at least 30 days before its effective date in at least one newspaper of general circulation in each county of the sanitary district.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A regulation adopted by the Commission under this section has the force and authority of law.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="17-404" title_number="17" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous Powers and Duties"> <level label="a"> <text>The Commission may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>adopt regulations for the installation of fuel gas piping, appliances, appurtenances, and connections from the point of service supplying any premises in the sanitary district; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>require a permit and charge a fee for the installation of fuel gas piping, appliances, appurtenances, and connections.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Commission shall publish a notice of any new regulation that is authorized by this section at least 30 days before its effective date in at least two newspapers of general circulation in each county of the sanitary district.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person may not violate a regulation adopted under this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="17-405" title_number="17" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous Powers and Duties"> <level label="a"> <text>Under the authority granted to the Commission under § 17–403 of this subtitle, the Commission may adopt regulations governing all publicly owned watershed property acquired by or under the jurisdiction of the Commission.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Commission shall post the watershed regulations at each public recreation site in the watershed areas.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Commission shall publish the watershed regulations at least 30 days before their adoption in at least one newspaper of general circulation in each county of the sanitary district.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>The posting and publication of the watershed regulations is sufficient notice.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The sworn certificate of a commissioner as to the posting and publication of the watershed regulations is prima facie evidence of posting and publication.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="17-406" title_number="17" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous Powers and Duties"> <level label="a"> <text>The Commission may adopt regulations governing:</text> <level label="1"> <text>erosion and sediment control for utility construction under authority of § 17–403 of this subtitle and § 4–105 of the Environment Article, after review and approval of the proposed regulations by the soil conservation districts of Montgomery County and Prince George’s County and the Department of Natural Resources;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>sewer cleaning under authority of § 24–201 of this article;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>plumbing under authority of § 17–403 of this subtitle and §§ 24–106, 26–102, and 26–204 of this article;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>gas fitting under authority of § 17–404 of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>required permits for public utility construction under authority of §§ 27–101 and 27–107 of this article; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>the Commission Pretreatment Program under authority of § 17–403 of this subtitle and § 9–332 of the Environment Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Commission shall publish the regulations as provided under § 17–403(b) of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The sworn certificate of a commissioner as to the publication of the regulations is prima facie evidence of publication.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="17-407" title_number="17" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous Powers and Duties"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, in accordance with its regulations, the Commission may pay for actual property damage caused by:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a sanitary sewer backup; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a water main break on or after October 1, 1999.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Payment made by the Commission under this section is not an admission of liability.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Commission may not pay for actual property damage caused by a sanitary sewer backup or water main break if the sanitary sewer backup, water main break, or resulting damage from the backup or break was caused by an intentional act or negligence of the owner or tenant of the property.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="17-408" title_number="17" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous Powers and Duties"> <level label="a"> <text>Unless the Commission takes precautions to make a composting facility free of offensive off–site odors, the Commission may not construct the facility in an area that has more than 100 homes that are located within 5 miles of the facility.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Commission shall adopt regulations that provide standards for the construction and operation of a composting facility that is free of offensive off–site odors.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If the Commission does not control and eliminate any offensive off–site odor that is caused by a composting facility that is constructed after July 1, 1986, the Commission shall close the facility within 4 months after the date the offensive off–site odor is emitted from the facility.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>If a composting facility is closed for failure to meet any standards adopted by the Commission under this section, Montgomery County shall select an alternative method or location for the disposition of sludge located at the closed facility.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="17-501" title_number="17" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Boundary Description of Sanitary District"> <text>The sanitary district is composed of those parts of Montgomery County and Prince George’s County that are described in Chapter 766 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 1982.</text> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="17-601" title_number="17" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Office of the Inspector General"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>“Abuse” means an employee’s intentional misconduct or misuse of authority or position:</text> <level label="i"> <text>involving Commission property or funds that is improper or deficient when compared to conduct a prudent person would consider reasonable under the same facts and circumstances; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>for the purpose of furthering improperly the private interests of the employee, a family member, or a close personal or business associate.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Abuse” includes:</text> <level label="i"> <text>theft or misappropriation of Commission property or funds; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>destruction or alteration of official records.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>“Fraud” means an intentional act or attempt to obtain something of value from the Commission or another person through willful misrepresentation.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Fraud” includes a willful false representation of a material fact, whether by words or by conduct, by false or misleading allegations, or by concealment of that which should have been disclosed, that causes the Commission to act, or fail to act, to the detriment of the Commission’s interest.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Office” means the Office of the Inspector General.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Vendor” means a party obligated by contract or subcontract to provide goods, services, or property to the Commission for consideration, including contracts and subcontracts for construction and professional services related to construction.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>“Waste” means an inappropriate act or omission by an employee with control over, or access to, Commission property or funds that unreasonably deprives the Commission of value.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Waste” includes mismanagement or other unintentional conduct that is deficient or improper when compared to conduct a prudent person would consider necessary to preserve the value of Commission property or funds under the same facts and circumstances.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="17-602" title_number="17" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Office of the Inspector General"> <text>There is an Office of the Inspector General in the Commission.</text> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="17-603" title_number="17" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Office of the Inspector General"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Commission shall appoint the inspector general.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>The Commission shall select the inspector general:</text> <level label="1"> <text>solely on the basis of professional ability and personal integrity; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>without regard to political affiliation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The inspector general shall be qualified professionally by experience or education in auditing, government operations, or financial management.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Commission shall select the inspector general from a list of recommended candidates prepared by the appointment committee under subsection (b) of this section by an affirmative vote of not less than four commissioners.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Commission shall establish an appointment committee whenever the position of inspector general is vacant.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The appointment committee shall review potential candidates for appointment as inspector general and shall recommend candidates to the Commission.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>The appointment committee consists of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>one commissioner from Montgomery County;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>one commissioner from Prince George’s County;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>one member of the public selected by the Montgomery County Council; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>one member of the public selected by the Prince George’s County Council.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A member of the appointment committee who is a member of the public shall possess:</text> <level label="1"> <text>advanced education and experience in the management of governmental entities that are comparable to the Commission in scope and complexity;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>demonstrated knowledge and experience in the application of:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>generally accepted government auditing standards; and</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>internal control systems; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>an understanding of the appropriate functions of an appointment committee.</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>A member of the appointment committee who is a member of the public may possess demonstrated knowledge and experience in the application of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>sustainable financial management practices for public entities; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>public accountability.</text> </level> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>A member of the appointment committee who is a member of the public may not have any other business or close personal relationships with the Commission or its officers, managers, or employees.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>The appointment committee shall initially prepare a list of at least three and not more than six candidates to recommend for appointment as inspector general and submit the list to the Commission.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <level label="1"> <text>If the Commission is unable to select an inspector general from the list prepared by the appointment committee, the appointment committee shall prepare one or more additional lists of recommended candidates as needed until the Commission makes a final appointment of an inspector general.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The additional lists prepared under this subparagraph may contain any number of candidates.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <level label="i"> <text>On completion of the final appointment of an inspector general, the appointment committee is terminated.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Commission shall establish a new appointment committee whenever there is a vacancy in the position of inspector general.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The term of the inspector general is 5 years beginning on the date of appointment.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An individual may not serve as inspector general for more than three terms.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The inspector general may not participate in the merit system adopted by the Commission under Title 18, Subtitle 1 of this article, but:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the inspector general may participate in any employee benefits program the Commission offers on the same terms and conditions as it is offered generally to an employee participating in the merit system; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the Commission may offer to an individual appointed as inspector general any supplemental employee benefit programs the Commission determines are necessary to recruit and retain an employee who does not participate in the merit system.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>The Commission may remove the inspector general by resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than two of its three members from each county for neglect of duty, malfeasance, conviction of a felony, or other good cause.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Before the Commission may adopt a resolution of removal, the Commission or a designee of the Commission must hold a public hearing if the inspector general requests a hearing within 10 days after the inspector general receives notice of proposed removal from the Commission.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The inspector general shall discharge the duties of office on a full–time basis and with no secondary employment of any nature during the inspector general’s term.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to budget authorization, applicable law, and the personnel regulations of the Commission, the inspector general may select as subordinate staff of the Office one or more:</text> <level label="i"> <text>temporary term employees who do not participate in the merit system adopted by the Commission under Title 18, Subtitle 1 of this article; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>other employees who participate in the merit system.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Notwithstanding any provision of the personnel regulations to the contrary, an auditor, an accountant, an investigator, or a similar professional employee appointed as subordinate staff of the Office shall be subject to dismissal by the inspector general only for neglect of duty, malfeasance, conviction of a felony, or other good cause.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>Subject to budget authorization and the applicable procurement regulations, the inspector general may retain consultants by contract.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="17-604" title_number="17" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Office of the Inspector General"> <level label="a"> <text>The inspector general may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>investigate mismanagement, misconduct, fraud, waste, and abuse at the Commission; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>conduct an annual audit of the Commission as needed.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If the inspector general conducts an audit under subsection (a)(2) of this section, the inspector general shall submit to the Commission and the county executives of Montgomery County and Prince George’s County a copy of the audit and a summary of the reports and investigations made by the inspector general in accordance with this section.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Commission may include any audit by the inspector general in the audit of the Commission published under § 17–401 of this title.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="17-605" title_number="17" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Office of the Inspector General"> <level label="a"> <text>The Office shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>assist the Commission by providing independent evaluation and recommendations regarding opportunities to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>preserve the Commission’s reputation; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>improve the effectiveness, productivity, or efficiency of Commission programs, policies, practices, and operations;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>ensure public accountability by preventing, investigating, and reporting instances of fraud, waste, and abuse of Commission property or funds;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>examine, evaluate, and report on the adequacy and effectiveness of the systems of internal controls and their related accounting, financial, technology, and operational policies;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>report noncompliance with and propose ways to improve employee compliance with applicable law, policy, and ethical standards of conduct;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>conduct audits as required under § 25–405 of this article; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>conduct other audits related to the operation of the Commission.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>In developing recommendations, the Office may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>conduct administrative investigations, budgetary analyses, and financial, management, or performance audits and similar reviews;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>provide management advisories; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>utilize the assistance from any other government agency or private party to complete a project initiated by the Office.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>When applicable, the inspector general shall comply with generally accepted government auditing standards.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the inspector general shall submit written reports to the Commission for publication on the Commission’s website.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The inspector general:</text> <level label="i"> <text>may not disclose any record, report, or related information that is protected from disclosure under the Public Information Act;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>may provide an oral report if appropriate under generally accepted government auditing standards; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>shall establish and follow procedures for safeguarding the identity of confidential sources and protecting privileged and confidential information.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Commission shall publish with any report submitted by the inspector general any official written comments or responses offered by the Commission’s management.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The inspector general shall also submit to the Commission for publication on the Commission’s website periodic reports that summarize the activities, findings, recommendations, and accomplishments of the Office.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>If reasonable grounds exist to believe that a serious violation of federal, State, or local law or Commission regulations has occurred, the inspector general shall report the allegation to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an appropriate law enforcement agency;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the State Ethics Commission;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the Commission Board of Ethics; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>any other agency with jurisdiction to enforce the law.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The Commission shall adopt regulations to ensure that the Office operates independently from the management of the Commission.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="17-606" title_number="17" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Office of the Inspector General"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The inspector general shall consult with the Commission to develop a written work plan and establish periodic goals and priorities for the Office based on an assessment of relative risks.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In developing the work plan, the inspector general shall take into consideration requests from commissioners, Commission officers, managers, and employees, elected officials, and members of the public.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The inspector general shall make the written work plan available to the public, subject to the Public Information Act.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>In performing the duties authorized under this subtitle, the inspector general shall coordinate with law enforcement agencies, agency personnel administrators, the State Ethics Commission, the Commission Board of Ethics, and other internal officials or external entities as appropriate to avoid unnecessary disruption or duplication of effort in conducting any audit, analysis, or administrative investigation.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Commission Board of Ethics shall have primary authority for investigations of abuse related to actions specified in § 17–601(b)(1)(ii) of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="17-607" title_number="17" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Office of the Inspector General"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Commission shall include in the Commission’s annual operating budget proposal the amounts recommended for the Office.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The budget authorization for the Office shall be approved independently and without the involvement of Commission staff.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Subject to budget authorization and adequate funds:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the Commission’s general counsel shall provide legal services to the inspector general and may employ special counsel if appropriate or required by law; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the inspector general may employ and be represented by a special legal counsel without consent of the general counsel if the Commission approves of a request after considering any recommendation or comment offered by the general counsel relating to the request.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="17-608" title_number="17" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Office of the Inspector General"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>On request from the inspector general, a Commission employee or official shall promptly provide to the inspector general any available document or other information concerning Commission operations, budget, programs, or vendor contracts.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>The inspector general shall notify the Commission chair, vice chair, and general manager if any Commission employee or official fails to provide any information or document requested under this subsection with reasonable promptness.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Commission chair, vice chair, or general manager shall take administrative action to produce compliance with a pending request for information by the inspector general as warranted and appropriate.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>A vendor of the Commission shall provide to the inspector general any available document or other information concerning any Commission vendor contract, including documents related to the procurement of the contract.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>The inspector general shall promptly notify Commission officers if any vendor fails to provide any information or document requested under this subsection with reasonable promptness.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Commission officers shall take appropriate administrative or civil action to produce vendor compliance with a pending request for information by the inspector general.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Each Commission employee should report any fraud, waste, or abuse to the Office.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A Commission employee, vendor, or employee of any vendor may not be retaliated against or penalized, or threatened with retaliation or penalty, for providing information to, cooperating with, or in any way assisting the inspector general and staff of the Office in connection with any activity authorized under this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The inspector general may not disclose the identity of a person that reports an allegation of fraud, waste, or abuse unless:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the reporting person consents to disclosure of the person’s identity;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>disclosure is reasonably necessary to complete an audit or investigation; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>another person is legally entitled to disclosure of the identity of the reporting person.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The inspector general or a staff member authorized by the inspector general may administer an oath or affirmation or take an affidavit from any person if necessary to perform the duties under this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Commission may adopt regulations to carry out this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="17-609" title_number="17" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Office of the Inspector General"> <level label="a"> <text>The inspector general, or a staff member authorized by the inspector general, may administer oaths and take depositions and other testimony for the purpose of investigating fraud, waste, or abuse within the Commission.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The inspector general may subpoena any person or evidence for the purpose of investigating fraud, waste, or abuse within the Commission.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If a person fails to comply with a lawful order or subpoena issued under this section, on petition of the inspector general, a court of competent jurisdiction may compel:</text> <level label="1"> <text>compliance with the order or subpoena; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>testimony or the production of evidence.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="17-610" title_number="17" title_name="Commission" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Office of the Inspector General"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>On or before June 1, 2026, and every 3 years thereafter, the Office shall undergo an external, independent peer review to assess whether the Office’s quality control system is effectively designed and operating in compliance with generally accepted government auditing standards.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>To the extent practicable, the initial peer review conducted in accordance with subsection (a) of this section shall include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a review of whether the Office is sufficiently independent of the Commission and Commission staff; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>an analysis of whether additional reviews and reports, including those evaluating the effectiveness of the Commission’s internal controls over finances, operations, and compliance activities, would help achieve the duties of the Office.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Office shall submit the results of the peer review conducted under subsection (a) of this section to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the county councils of Montgomery County and Prince George’s County;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the members of the Montgomery County and Prince George’s County delegations to the General Assembly; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the Commission.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Commission shall publish each peer review conducted under this section on the Commission’s website.</text> </level> </level> </section>