<section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="2-101" title_number="2" title_name="Public Service Commission and People's Counsel" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Public Service Commission"> <level label="a"> <text>There is a Public Service Commission.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Commission is an independent unit in the Executive Branch of State government.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Commission shall carry out the functions assigned to it by law.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="2-102" title_number="2" title_name="Public Service Commission and People's Counsel" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Public Service Commission"> <level label="a"> <text>The Commission consists of five commissioners, appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Each commissioner shall be a registered voter of the State.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Commission shall be:</text> <level label="i"> <text>broadly representative of the geographic and demographic diversity of the State and of the public; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>composed of individuals with diverse training and experience.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Each commissioner shall devote full time to the duties of office.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The term of a commissioner is 5 years and begins on July 1.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The terms of commissioners are staggered as required by the terms in effect for commissioners on July 1, 2006.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>At the end of a term, a commissioner continues to serve until a successor qualifies.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A commissioner who is appointed after a term has begun serves for the rest of the term and until a successor qualifies.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>Before taking office, each appointee to the Commission shall take the oath required by Article I, § 9 of the Maryland Constitution.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The Governor may remove a commissioner for incompetence or misconduct in accordance with § 3-307 of the State Government Article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="2-103" title_number="2" title_name="Public Service Commission and People's Counsel" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Public Service Commission"> <level label="a"> <text>With the advice and consent of the Senate, the Governor shall appoint a Chairman.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The term of the Chairman is 5 years and begins on July 1.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>At the end of a term, the Chairman continues to serve until a successor qualifies.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A Chairman who is appointed after a term has begun serves for the rest of the term and until a successor qualifies.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="2-104" title_number="2" title_name="Public Service Commission and People's Counsel" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Public Service Commission"> <level label="a"> <text>The Commission shall appoint an Executive Secretary.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Executive Secretary serves at the pleasure of the Commission.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Executive Secretary shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>keep the records of the Commission, including a record of proceedings, all documents required to be filed with the Commission, all orders, regulations, and decisions of the Commission, and all dockets and files;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>certify true copies of those materials;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>designate an employee of the Commission to perform the duties of Executive Secretary when the Executive Secretary is absent; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>perform the other duties that the Commission prescribes.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>With the approval of the Commission and in conformity with Title 10, Subtitle 6, Part III of the State Government Article, the Executive Secretary may destroy any record or document that the Commission possesses, including a record or document required by law to be filed with the Commission, if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the record or document has been on file for at least 3 years; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the Executive Secretary considers the document to be obsolete.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="2-105" title_number="2" title_name="Public Service Commission and People's Counsel" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Public Service Commission"> <level label="a"> <text>The Commission shall appoint an Executive Director.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Executive Director serves at the pleasure of the Commission.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Executive Director shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>direct and coordinate the technical staff, except public utility law judges, of the Commission; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>perform the other duties that the Commission prescribes.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="2-106" title_number="2" title_name="Public Service Commission and People's Counsel" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Public Service Commission"> <level label="a"> <text>The Commission shall appoint a General Counsel.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The General Counsel shall have been admitted to practice law in the State.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The General Counsel serves at the pleasure of the Commission.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>As the Commission directs, the General Counsel shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>represent the Commission in a proceeding if the Commission is a party to or desires to intervene in the proceeding, if the proceeding involves a question under this division, or if the proceeding involves an act or order of the Commission;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>advise the Commission, on request, on any legal question that requires interpretation of a provision of law about the jurisdiction, rights, duties, or powers of the Commission; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>act as attorney to the Commission as the Commission reasonably requires.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Commission may substitute any other agent for the General Counsel.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="2-107" title_number="2" title_name="Public Service Commission and People's Counsel" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Public Service Commission"> <level label="a"> <text>Each commissioner, the Chairman of the Commission, the General Counsel, the Executive Secretary, and the Executive Director are entitled to compensation as provided in the State budget.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The salary of the Chairman of the Commission shall be at least $40,000 a year.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The salary of each commissioner shall be at least $35,000 a year.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A commissioner and other Commission personnel are entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="2-108" title_number="2" title_name="Public Service Commission and People's Counsel" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Public Service Commission"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The principal office of the Commission shall be in Baltimore City at the place that the Commission selects.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Except for legal holidays, the offices of the Commission shall be open for business during regular business hours from Monday through Friday and at other times as the Commission considers necessary.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Commission shall meet at the times and places in the State as the Commission considers necessary.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For purposes of the Open Meetings Act, a project site visit or educational field tour may not be considered a meeting of the Commission if no organizational business is conducted.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Commission shall have a seal.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The State budget shall provide sufficient money for the Commission to hire, develop, and organize a staff to perform the functions of the Commission, including analyzing data submitted to the Commission and participating in proceedings as provided in § 3–104 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>As the Commission considers necessary, the Commission shall hire experts including economists, cost of capital experts, rate design experts, accountants, engineers, transportation specialists, and lawyers.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>To assist in the regulation of intrastate hazardous liquid pipelines under Title 11, Subtitle 2 of this article, the Commission shall include on its staff at least one engineer who specializes in the storage of and the transportation of hazardous liquid materials by pipeline.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Commission shall include on its staff one or more employees that are experts in cybersecurity to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>advise the Chairman of the Commission and the commissioners on measures to improve oversight of the cybersecurity practices of public service companies;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>consult with the Office of Security Management on cybersecurity issues related to utility regulation;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>assist the Commission in monitoring the minimum security standards developed under § 5–306 of this article;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>participate in briefings to discuss cybersecurity practices based on:</text> <level label="1"> <text>applicable National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners guidance; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>improvements to cybersecurity practices recommended in the cybersecurity assessments required under § 5–306 of this article; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="v"> <text>support public service companies that do not meet minimum security standards with remediating vulnerabilities or addressing cybersecurity assessment findings.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The Commission may retain on a case by case basis additional experts as required for a particular matter.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The lawyers who represent the Commission staff in proceedings before the Commission shall be appointed by the Commission and shall be organized and operate independently of the office of General Counsel.</text> </level> <level label="6"> <level label="i"> <text>As required, the Commission shall hire public utility law judges.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Public utility law judges are a separate organizational unit and shall report directly to the Commission.</text> </level> </level> <level label="7"> <text>The Commission shall hire personal staff members for each commissioner as required to provide advice, draft proposed orders and rulings, and perform other personal staff functions.</text> </level> <level label="8"> <level label="i"> <text>The Commission shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>collaborate with the Office of Security Management to establish cybersecurity standards and best practices for regulated entities, taking into account utility needs and capabilities based on size;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>periodically share information on cybersecurity initiatives and best practices with municipal electric utilities; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>beginning on or before January 1, 2025, and every 2 years thereafter:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>collect certifications of a public service company’s compliance with standards used in the assessments conducted under § 5–306 of this article for cybersecurity–related policies and procedures; and</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>submit a report to the State Chief Information Security Officer, or the Officer’s designee.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The report required under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph shall include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a general overview of cybersecurity technology and policies used by public service companies in the State, grouped by the following types:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>investor–owned electric companies;</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>electric cooperatives;</text> </level> <level label="C"> <text>municipal electric companies;</text> </level> <level label="D"> <text>gas companies; and</text> </level> <level label="E"> <text>water companies;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>general recommendations for improving cybersecurity technology and policies used by public service companies in the State, grouped by the following types:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>investor–owned electric companies;</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>electric cooperatives;</text> </level> <level label="C"> <text>municipal electric companies;</text> </level> <level label="D"> <text>gas companies; and</text> </level> <level label="E"> <text>water companies; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>for each certification collected:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>the name of the public service company;</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>the date of the public service company’s most recent cybersecurity assessment;</text> </level> <level label="C"> <text>the cybersecurity framework used in the cybersecurity assessment of the public service company; and</text> </level> <level label="D"> <text>the name of the entity that completed the cybersecurity assessment.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="9"> <text>Subject to § 3–104 of this article, the Commission may delegate to a commissioner or personnel the authority to perform an administrative function necessary to carry out a duty of the Commission.</text> </level> <level label="10"> <level label="i"> <text>Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph or otherwise by law, all personnel of the Commission are subject to the provisions of the State Personnel and Pensions Article.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The following are in the executive service, management service, or are special appointments in the State Personnel Management System:</text> <level label="1"> <text>each commissioner of the Commission;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the Executive Director;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the General Counsel and each assistant general counsel;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the Executive Secretary;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the commissioners’ personal staff members;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>the chief public utility law judge; and</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>each license hearing officer.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The compensation of the following personnel shall be determined by the Commission and, if possible, in accordance with the State pay plan:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the Executive Director;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the General Counsel;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the special appointment attorneys in the office of General Counsel;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the Executive Secretary;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>the chief public utility law judge;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>each license hearing officer; and</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>all Commission personnel in positions in:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the management service; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>professional and technical classifications unique to the Commission.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>At least 45 days before the effective date of the change, the Commission shall submit to the Secretary of Budget and Management each change to salary plans that involves increases or decreases in salary ranges other than those associated with routine reclassifications and promotions or general salary increases approved by the General Assembly.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Reportable changes include creation or abolition of classes, regrading the classes from one established range to another, changes in salary guidelines to administer the pay schedules, or creation of new pay schedules or ranges.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Secretary of Budget and Management shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>review the proposed changes; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>at least 15 days before the effective date of the proposed changes, advise the Commission whether the changes would have an adverse effect on comparable State jobs.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Failure of the Secretary to respond in a timely manner is not considered a statement of adverse effect.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>On or before January 31 of each year, the Commission shall report to the Secretary of Budget and Management and, subject to § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, to the General Assembly setting forth all personnel positions, classifications, and salaries in the Commission as of the end of the preceding calendar year.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="2-109" title_number="2" title_name="Public Service Commission and People's Counsel" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Public Service Commission"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>On request of the Commission, a public officer shall give to the Commission, without charge, a certified copy of a document or part of a document on file with the officer.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Without charge, a public officer shall accept from the Commission any document authorized or required to be filed with the officer and shall enter, file, docket, or record the document.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Each record of the Commission is a public record and shall be made available to the public at reasonable times.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="2-110" title_number="2" title_name="Public Service Commission and People's Counsel" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Public Service Commission"> <level label="a"> <text>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.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The costs and expenses of the Commission, the Strategic Energy Planning Office, and the Office of People’s Counsel shall be borne by the public service companies that are subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The costs and expenses shall be assessed as provided in this section.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>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, the Strategic Energy Planning Office, and the Office of People’s Counsel.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>Before each State fiscal year, the Chairman of the Commission shall estimate the Commission’s total costs and expenses, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the compensation and expenses of the Commission, its officers, agents, and personnel;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>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;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>all other maintenance and operation expenses of the Commission; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>all other direct and indirect costs of the Commission.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The estimate shall exclude the expenses associated with services performed by the Commission for which the Commission is reimbursed under this division.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The estimate shall include, as provided by the Strategic Energy Planning Office:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the compensation and expenses of the Strategic Energy Planning Office, its officers, agents, and personnel;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the cost of retirement contributions, Social Security, health insurance, and other benefits required to be paid by the State for the personnel of the Strategic Energy Planning Office;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>all other maintenance and operation expenses of the Strategic Energy Planning Office; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>all other direct and indirect costs of the Strategic Energy Planning Office.</text> </level> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>The estimate shall include, as provided by the Office of People’s Counsel:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the compensation and expenses of the Office of People’s Counsel, its officers, agents, and personnel;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>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;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>all other maintenance and operation expenses of the Office of People’s Counsel; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>all other direct and indirect costs of the Office of People’s Counsel.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Based on the estimate, the Chairman shall determine the amount to be paid by each public service company.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Commission shall send a bill to each public service company on or before May 1 of each year.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>The bill shall equal the product of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the estimated total costs and expenses of the Commission, the Strategic Energy Planning Office, and the Office of People’s Counsel during the next fiscal year; multiplied by</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the ratio of the gross operating revenues for the public service company derived from intrastate utility and electricity supplier operations in the preceding calendar year, or other 12–month period as the Chairman determines, to the total of the gross operating revenues derived from intrastate utility and electricity supplier operations for all public service companies that are billed under this section over that period.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>To the extent that the Commission requires an electric company to report the gross operating revenue derived from intrastate utility and electricity supplier operation in order to calculate the bill under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, a small rural electric cooperative described in § 7–502(a) of this article may satisfy the requirement by submitting to the Commission an estimate made in accordance with a formula approved by the Commission from information that the small rural electric cooperative submits to the rural utilities service.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The minimum bill for a public service company shall be $10.</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>The public service company:</text> <level label="i"> <text>shall pay the bill on or before the next July 15; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>may elect to make partial payments on the 15th days of July, October, January, and April.</text> </level> </level> <level label="7"> <text>A partial payment shall equal 25% of the bill and may not be less than $10.</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>During any State fiscal year, the Chairman may change the estimate of costs and expenses of the Commission, the estimate of costs and expenses of the Strategic Energy Planning Office, as changed by the Strategic Energy Planning Office, and the estimate of costs and expenses of the Office of People’s Counsel, as changed by the People’s Counsel.</text> </level> <level label="9"> <level label="i"> <text>If the estimate is changed, the Commission shall send a revised bill to each public service company that has elected to make partial payments.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The change shall be apportioned equally against the remaining payments for the fiscal year.</text> </level> </level> <level label="10"> <level label="i"> <text>On or before September 15 of each year, the Chairman shall compute:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the actual costs and expenses of the Commission;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the actual costs and expenses of the Strategic Energy Planning Office, as provided by the Strategic Energy Planning Office for the preceding fiscal year; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the actual costs and expenses of the Office of People’s Counsel, as provided by the People’s Counsel for the preceding fiscal year.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If the amounts collected are less than the actual costs and expenses of the Commission, the Strategic Energy Planning Office, and the Office of the People’s Counsel, after deducting the amounts recovered under §§ 2–111(a) and 2–123 of this subtitle, on or before October 15, the Chairman shall send to any public service company that is affected a statement that shows the amount due.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>If the amounts collected exceed the actual costs and expenses of the Commission, the Strategic Energy Planning Office, and the Office of the People’s Counsel for the preceding fiscal year, the Commission shall deduct any excess retained funds from the appropriation for the next fiscal year before the Commission determines the amount to be paid by each public service company for the next fiscal year under paragraph (2) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="11"> <text>A public service company shall pay an amount due within 30 days after the statement is received.</text> </level> <level label="12"> <text>The total amount that may be charged to a public service company under this section for a State fiscal year may not exceed:</text> <level label="i"> <level label="0"> <text>50% of the public service company’s gross operating revenues derived from intrastate utility and electricity supplier operations in the preceding calendar year, or other 12–month period that the Chairman determines, for the costs and expenses of the Commission other than that of the Strategic Energy Planning Office and the Office of People’s Counsel; plus</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <level label="0"> <text>074% of those revenues for the costs and expenses of the Strategic Energy Planning Office; plus</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <level label="0"> <text>074% of those revenues for the costs and expenses of the Office of People’s Counsel.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Within 30 days after the Commission issues a bill under subsection (c) of this section, the party billed may request a hearing as to the amount of the bill.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any amount of a bill that is not paid within 30 days after the date of determination on a hearing or, if a hearing is not requested, on the date when payment is due, shall bear annual interest at a rate, not less than 6%, that the Commission sets by regulation.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="2-110.1" title_number="2" title_name="Public Service Commission and People's Counsel" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Public Service Commission"> <level label="a"> <text>There is a Public Utility Regulation Fund.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Fund consists of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>all revenue received through the imposition and collection of assessments under § 2–110 of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>fees received by the Commission under § 2–123 of this subtitle for filings and for other services rendered by the Commission;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>income from investments that the State Treasurer makes for the Fund; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>any other fee, examination assessment, or revenue received by the Commission under this division.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Notwithstanding subsection (b) of this section, the Commission shall pay all fines and penalties collected by the Commission under this article into the Resiliency Hub Grant Program Fund established under § 9–2011 of the State Government Article.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The purpose of the Fund is to pay all the costs and expenses incurred by the Commission, the Strategic Energy Planning Office, and the Office of People’s Counsel that are related to the operation of the Commission, the Strategic Energy Planning Office, and the Office of People’s Counsel, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>expenditures authorized under this division; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>any other expense authorized in the State budget.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>All the costs and expenses of the Commission, the Strategic Energy Planning Office, and the Office of People’s Counsel shall be included in the State budget.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Expenditures from the Fund to cover costs and expenses of the Commission, the Strategic Energy Planning Office, and Office of People’s Counsel may only be made:</text> <level label="i"> <text>with an appropriation from the Fund approved by the General Assembly in the State budget; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>by budget amendment in accordance with § 7–209 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>The State Treasurer is the custodian of the Fund.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The State Treasurer shall deposit payments received from the Commission into the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>The Fund is a continuing, special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article, and may not be considered a part of the General Fund of the State.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Unless otherwise provided by law, no part of the Fund may revert or be credited to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the General Fund of the State; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>any other special fund of the State.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="2-111" title_number="2" title_name="Public Service Commission and People's Counsel" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Public Service Commission"> <level label="a"> <text>The Commission may charge reasonable fees for copies of Commission documents.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Commission may charge $1 to issue or renew a taxicab driver license and $2 to issue a duplicate taxicab driver license.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="2-112" title_number="2" title_name="Public Service Commission and People's Counsel" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Public Service Commission"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, to the full extent that the Constitution and laws of the United States allow, the Commission has jurisdiction over each public service company that engages in or operates a utility business in the State and over motor carrier companies as provided in Title 9 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Except as provided in Title 5, Subtitle 6, Part VI of the Corporations and Associations Article, the Commission does not have jurisdiction over a member–regulated cooperative as defined in § 5–601 of the Corporations and Associations Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Commission has the powers specifically conferred by law.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Commission has the implied and incidental powers needed or proper to carry out its functions under this division.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The powers of the Commission shall be construed liberally.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="2-113" title_number="2" title_name="Public Service Commission and People's Counsel" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Public Service Commission"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Commission shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>supervise and regulate the public service companies subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>ensure their operation in the interest of the public; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>promote adequate, economical, and efficient delivery of utility services in the State without unjust discrimination; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>enforce compliance with the requirements of law by public service companies, including requirements with respect to financial condition, capitalization, franchises, plant, manner of operation, rates, and service.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In supervising and regulating public service companies, the Commission shall consider:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the public safety;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the economy of the State;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the maintenance of fair and stable labor standards for affected workers;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>the conservation of natural resources;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>the preservation of environmental quality, including protection of the global climate from continued short–term and long–term warming based on the best available scientific information recognized by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>the achievement of the State’s climate commitments for reducing statewide greenhouse gas emissions, including those specified in Title 2, Subtitle 12 of the Environment Article; and</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>the protection of a public service company’s infrastructure against cybersecurity threats.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The powers and duties listed in this title do not limit the scope of the general powers and duties of the Commission provided for by this division.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="2-114" title_number="2" title_name="Public Service Commission and People's Counsel" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Public Service Commission"> <text>To inspect a plant of a public service company, the Commission may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>have access to the plant;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>set up and use equipment in the plant as needed; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>occupy space in the plant as the Commission considers reasonably necessary to inspect or test.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="2-115" title_number="2" title_name="Public Service Commission and People's Counsel" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Public Service Commission"> <level label="a"> <text>The Commission shall initiate and conduct any investigation necessary to execute its powers or perform its duties under this division.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Commission may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>examine the records of a public service company;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>compel production of the records by subpoena; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>require verified copies of the records to be filed with the Commission.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="2-116" title_number="2" title_name="Public Service Commission and People's Counsel" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Public Service Commission"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>As it considers desirable, the Commission may conduct proceedings on proposed amendments to any law that, in the judgment of the Commission, would affect the public interest in any aspect of the business of a public service company.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>On request of the Governor, the General Assembly, or either house of the General Assembly, the Commission shall conduct proceedings on proposed amendments to any law that, in the judgment of the Commission, would affect the public interest in any aspect of the business of a public service company.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Commission may recommend or prepare legislation on any matter within or related to the jurisdiction of the Commission.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If a proceeding under this section was held on request, subject to § 2-1257 of the State Government Article, the Commission shall report its conclusions to the person or body who requested the proceeding.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="2-117" title_number="2" title_name="Public Service Commission and People's Counsel" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Public Service Commission"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>If the Commission believes that a public service company or gas master meter operator that is subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction is violating or will violate this division, the Commission shall bring an action in the Commission’s name for injunction or other appropriate action in the circuit court of a county where the public service company or gas master meter operator does business or has its principal place of business.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The court:</text> <level label="i"> <text>shall allow a period not exceeding 20 days for the defendant to show cause why the relief sought should not be granted;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>after the period, shall inquire immediately into the merits of the case, without other or formal pleadings and without respect to any technical requirement;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>may join as parties any persons as is necessary or proper to make a judgment or process effective; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>shall issue a final order that grants appropriate relief.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Commission shall notify an offender to appear and answer charges on complaint filed by a carrier or on discovery of a violation or infringement by the Commission’s own investigation that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the offender is or has been infringing on or violating a permit granted to the carrier by the Commission;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the offender, without a permit, is exercising or using a right granted in a permit;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a right granted in a permit is being subjected to unrestricted or unregulated competition; or</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>the offender, without a permit, is serving, wholly or partly, directly or indirectly, a route set forth in a granted permit.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The notice shall be sent to or served on the offender as provided by § 3-103 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If the Commission finds that the offender is violating or infringing, or has violated or infringed on the rights of a carrier, the Commission shall order the offender to stop the operations that led to the violation or infringement.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>If the offender does not obey the order of the Commission, the Commission shall notify the offender to show cause within 10 days after the notice is mailed or served why the registration certificate for each vehicle involved in the operations should not be suspended or revoked.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>If cause is not shown or if, after hearing, the Commission finds that cause is not shown, the Commission shall certify to the Motor Vehicle Administration:</text> <level label="i"> <text>that the registration certificate of each vehicle involved in the operations shall be suspended or revoked;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the condition of the suspension or revocation; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>if possible, the license number of each vehicle for which the certificate of registration is to be suspended or revoked.</text> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <text>On receipt of the certification, the Motor Vehicle Administration automatically shall suspend or revoke each certificate of registration in accordance with the conditions contained in the certification.</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>The action of the Motor Vehicle Administration may not be appealed but judicial review of an order or certification of the Commission may be sought as provided in Title 3, Subtitle 2 of this article.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="2-118" title_number="2" title_name="Public Service Commission and People's Counsel" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Public Service Commission"> <level label="a"> <text>This section does not apply to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>taxicabs;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>powerboat companies;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>toll bridges;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>towing and lightering companies; or</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>small rural electric cooperatives described in § 7-502(a) of this article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Commission shall require each public service company subject to its jurisdiction to formulate and, after approval by the Commission, to implement long-range plans to provide regulated service.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Commission shall require each electric company in the State to include in the long-range plan adequate, cost-effective provisions to promote energy conservation to decrease or moderate electric and, as appropriate, natural gas demand for regulated service from customers.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The Commission shall review each plan for adequacy under the criteria of § 2-113 of this subtitle, giving attention to the interrelationship of services of other public service companies and to provisions for research and development to ensure adequate service.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>As part of the review, and subject to any applicable Freedom of Information Act, the Commission shall consult with other State units and provide an opportunity for public comment.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Commission shall require the revisions to a plan that the Commission considers appropriate unless the authority to review and approve a plan has been granted to another State unit by other law.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="2-119" title_number="2" title_name="Public Service Commission and People's Counsel" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Public Service Commission"> <text>As the interests of the people of this State are affected, the Commission:</text> <level label="1"> <text>shall study the rates and service of public service companies in interstate commerce beyond the jurisdiction of the Commission; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>may apply to and appear before appropriate federal units to protect those interests.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="2-120" title_number="2" title_name="Public Service Commission and People's Counsel" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Public Service Commission"> <text>Under interstate compacts or agreements or under the concurrent power of states to regulate interstate commerce, or as an agency of the federal government, or otherwise, the Commission may act jointly or concurrently with an official board or commission of the United States or a state in a proceeding relating to the regulation of a public service company.</text> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="2-121" title_number="2" title_name="Public Service Commission and People's Counsel" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Public Service Commission"> <text>The Commission may adopt reasonable regulations as necessary to carry out any law that relates to the Commission.</text> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="2-122" title_number="2" title_name="Public Service Commission and People's Counsel" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Public Service Commission"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>On or before May 1 of each year, the Commission shall publish an annual report that summarizes the activities of the Commission that includes:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a summary of each regulation, opinion, or order that the Commission adopted, entered, or passed during the year; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>any other information that the Commission considers of value.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Commission shall send a copy of the report to the Governor and, subject to § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, to the General Assembly.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Each year, the Commission shall publish a report that includes:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the progress of the residential conservation service plan;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Commission activities to moderate peak electric demand; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>energy conservation measures taken by gas companies and electric companies in the State to reduce electrical and natural gas demand.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="2-123" title_number="2" title_name="Public Service Commission and People's Counsel" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Public Service Commission"> <level label="a"> <text>In accordance with this section, the Commission may charge reasonable and nondiscriminatory fees for the filing of documents with the Commission and for other services performed by the Commission.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Actions for which the Commission may charge a fee include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an initial tariff or tariff change;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a certificate of public convenience and necessity;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>an application to provide or abandon service;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>a preparation of any record in appeal;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>a certification of any document;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>an application or petition to increase or decrease rates;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>an annual report;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>a copy of papers, testimony, microfiche, records, and computer printouts; and</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>any other filing or service for which the Commission reasonably determines that a fee is required.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>In determining the amount of a fee to be charged for a filing or other service performed by the Commission, the Commission shall consider the estimated expense associated with the filing or other service.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>The Commission shall waive a fee charged under this section for a filing by a unit of State government or for a service performed by the Commission for a unit of State government.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Commission may waive a fee charged under this section if the Commission determines that the waiver is in the public interest.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A document for which a filing fee is required may be received by the Commission at any time, but may not be considered filed until the filing fee has been paid.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Commission shall deposit all fees collected under this section in the Public Utility Regulation Fund.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The Commission shall adopt regulations to set reasonable and nondiscriminatory fees for filing and other services performed by the Commission.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="2-124" title_number="2" title_name="Public Service Commission and People's Counsel" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Public Service Commission"> <level label="a"> <text>It is the intent of the General Assembly that the Commission:</text> <level label="1"> <text>incorporate keyword search functionality for, at a minimum, materials published on the Commission’s website on and after July 1, 2026, including keyword search functionality within:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the case and maillog search;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>each case;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>each rulemaking; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>to the extent practicable, each publication; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>develop a landing page template for major proceedings, including rate cases, that visually tracks the major proceeding through each step of the process.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Commission shall develop dashboards to track progress toward major State energy programs and goals under Commission oversight, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>net energy metering; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the statewide energy storage goal under § 7–216.1 of this article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>At the request of the Commission, State agencies, including the Maryland Energy Administration, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Department of the Environment, shall provide to the Commission any publicly disclosable information necessary for the Commission to accurately track the progress and goals in the dashboard required under subsection (b) of this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="2-201" title_number="2" title_name="Public Service Commission and People's Counsel" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="People's Counsel"> <text>In this subtitle, “residential and noncommercial users” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>residential users of gas, electricity, telephones, or water and sewerage; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>noncommercial users of other services regulated by the Commission.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="2-202" title_number="2" title_name="Public Service Commission and People's Counsel" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="People's Counsel"> <level label="a"> <text>With the advice and consent of the Senate, the Attorney General shall appoint the People’s Counsel.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The term of the People’s Counsel is 5 years and begins on July 1.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>At the end of a term, the People’s Counsel continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A People’s Counsel who is appointed after a term has begun serves for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The People’s Counsel shall have been admitted to practice law in the State.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Before taking office, the People’s Counsel shall take the oath required by Article I, § 9 of the Maryland Constitution.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The People’s Counsel shall devote full time to the duties of office.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The People’s Counsel is entitled to a salary of at least $35,000 a year as provided in the State budget.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The Attorney General may remove the People’s Counsel for good cause shown after notice and an opportunity to be heard.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="2-203" title_number="2" title_name="Public Service Commission and People's Counsel" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="People's Counsel"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The State budget shall provide sufficient money for the Office of People’s Counsel to hire necessary staff in addition to the staff assistance that is provided under § 2–205(c)(2) of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Office of People’s Counsel shall hire at least one assistant people’s counsel who will focus on environmental issues.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection or otherwise by law, all personnel of the Office of People’s Counsel are subject to the provisions of the State Personnel and Pensions Article.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The following are in the executive service, management service, or are special appointments in the State Personnel Management System:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the People’s Counsel;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the deputy People’s Counsel; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>attorneys that are in the management service or are special appointments.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The compensation of the following personnel shall be determined by the People’s Counsel and, if possible, in accordance with the State pay plan:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the deputy People’s Counsel;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>attorneys that are:</text> <level label="i"> <text>in the management service; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>special appointments; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>all positions in management, professional and technical classifications unique to the Office of People’s Counsel.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>At least 45 days before the effective date of the change, the People’s Counsel shall submit to the Secretary of Budget and Management each change to salary plans that involves increases or decreases in salary ranges other than those associated with routine reclassifications and promotions or general salary increases approved by the General Assembly.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Reportable changes include creation or abolition of classes, regrading the classes from one established range to another, changes in salary guidelines to administer the pay schedules, or creation of new pay schedules or ranges.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Secretary of Budget and Management shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>review the proposed changes; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>at least 15 days before the effective date of the proposed changes, advise the People’s Counsel whether the changes would have an adverse effect on comparable State jobs.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Failure of the Secretary to respond in a timely manner is not considered a statement of adverse effect.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>On or before January 31 of each year, the People’s Counsel shall report to the Secretary of Budget and Management and, subject to § 2-1257 of the State Government Article, to the General Assembly setting forth all personnel positions, classifications, and salaries in the Office of People’s Counsel as of the end of the preceding calendar year.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The Office of People’s Counsel may retain as necessary for a particular matter or hire experts in the field of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>utility regulation, including cost of capital experts, rate design experts, accountants, economists, engineers, transportation specialists, and lawyers; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>climate change, including meteorologists, oceanographers, ecologists, foresters, geologists, seismologists, botanists, and experts in any other field of science that the People’s Counsel determines is necessary.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="2-204" title_number="2" title_name="Public Service Commission and People's Counsel" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="People's Counsel"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>The Office of People’s Counsel shall evaluate each matter pending before the Commission to determine if the interests of residential and noncommercial users are affected.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>In determining whether the interests of residential and noncommercial users are affected, the Office of People’s Counsel shall consider the public safety, economic welfare, and environmental interests of the State and its residents, including the State’s progress toward meeting its greenhouse gas emissions reductions goals.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the Office of People’s Counsel considers the interest of residential and noncommercial users to be affected, the Office of People’s Counsel shall appear before the Commission and courts on behalf of residential and noncommercial users in each matter or proceeding over which the Commission has original jurisdiction, including a proceeding on the rates, service, or practices of a public service company or on a violation of this division.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>As the Office of People’s Counsel considers necessary, the Office of People’s Counsel shall conduct investigations and request the Commission to initiate proceedings to protect the interests of residential and noncommercial users.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The People’s Counsel shall administer and operate the Office of People’s Counsel.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="2-205" title_number="2" title_name="Public Service Commission and People's Counsel" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="People's Counsel"> <level label="a"> <text>In appearances before the Commission and courts on behalf of residential and noncommercial users, the Office of People’s Counsel has the rights of counsel for a party to the proceeding, including those rights specified in § 3-107 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Office of People’s Counsel may appear before any federal or State unit to protect the interests of residential and noncommercial users.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in this article and consistent with any applicable Freedom of Information Act, the Office of People’s Counsel shall have full access to the Commission’s records and shall have the benefit of all other facilities or information of the Commission.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Office of People’s Counsel is entitled to the assistance of the Commission’s staff, if the staff determines that the assistance is consistent with the staff’s responsibilities and if the staff and the Office of People’s Counsel agree that the assistance, in a particular matter, is consistent with their respective interests.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>If the Office of People’s Counsel considers that the legislation would affect the interests of residential and noncommercial users, the Office of People’s Counsel may recommend to the General Assembly legislation on any matter related to the Commission’s jurisdiction.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="2-206" title_number="2" title_name="Public Service Commission and People's Counsel" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="People's Counsel"> <text>If the budget for the Office of People’s Counsel is insufficient to allow it to perform its duties, the Office of People’s Counsel may apply to the Board of Public Works for additional money from the General Emergency Fund.</text> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="2-301" title_number="2" title_name="Public Service Commission and People's Counsel" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Ethics"> <text>In this subtitle, “relative” means an individual related by blood or marriage.</text> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="2-302" title_number="2" title_name="Public Service Commission and People's Counsel" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Ethics"> <text>This subtitle applies to commissioners, the General Counsel, the People’s Counsel, officers and employees of the Office of People’s Counsel, and the officers and employees of the Commission.</text> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="2-303" title_number="2" title_name="Public Service Commission and People's Counsel" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Ethics"> <level label="a"> <text>This section applies to each individual subject to § 2–302 of this subtitle and to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>each spouse, dependent child, parent, brother, or sister of each commissioner, the People’s Counsel, the General Counsel, and each public utility law judge; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>each spouse or dependent child of each other officer or employee of the Commission or Office of People’s Counsel.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An individual subject to this section may not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>hold an official relation to or connection with a public service company; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>have a pecuniary interest in a public service company as the holder of stock or other securities or otherwise.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="2-304" title_number="2" title_name="Public Service Commission and People's Counsel" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Ethics"> <text>An individual subject to § 2-302 of this subtitle may not hold an office or position or engage in a business or avocation that is incompatible with the duties of office or service with the Commission or Office of People’s Counsel.</text> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="2-305" title_number="2" title_name="Public Service Commission and People's Counsel" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Ethics"> <text>An individual subject to § 2-302 of this subtitle may not solicit, suggest, request, or recommend directly or indirectly to a public service company that a person be appointed to an office or place of employment.</text> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="2-306" title_number="2" title_name="Public Service Commission and People's Counsel" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Ethics"> <level label="a"> <text>Until at least 2 years have passed after leaving service as a commissioner or the People’s Counsel, an individual may not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>represent a public service company before the Commission;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>appear before the Commission on behalf of a party to a Commission proceeding; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>appear before the Commission on a matter within the jurisdiction of the Commission.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Until at least 1 year has passed after leaving service with the Commission as the General Counsel or a public utility law judge, an individual may not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>represent a public service company before the Commission;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>appear before the Commission on behalf of a party to a Commission proceeding; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>appear before the Commission on a matter within the jurisdiction of the Commission.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Until at least 1 year has passed after leaving service with the Commission as a commissioner, an individual may not receive financial benefit that is not otherwise generally available to the public as a customer of a public service company from:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a public service company that is subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a person that directly or indirectly, or through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with a public service company that is subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="2-307" title_number="2" title_name="Public Service Commission and People's Counsel" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Ethics"> <level label="a"> <text>This section applies to each individual subject to § 2–302 of this subtitle and to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>each spouse, dependent child, parent, brother, or sister of each commissioner, the People’s Counsel, the General Counsel, and each public utility law judge; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>each spouse or dependent child of each other officer or employee of the Commission or Office of People’s Counsel.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>An individual subject to this section may not accept from a public service company or its officers, agents, or employees, a gift, gratuity, or special consideration.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>This subsection does not preclude an individual from accepting a gift from a relative.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="2-308" title_number="2" title_name="Public Service Commission and People's Counsel" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Ethics"> <level label="a"> <text>This section applies to each individual subject to § 2–302 of this subtitle and to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>each spouse, dependent child, parent, brother, or sister of each commissioner, the People’s Counsel, the General Counsel, and each public utility law judge; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>each spouse or dependent child of each other officer or employee of the Commission or Office of People’s Counsel.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>A public service company or its officer, agent, or employee may not offer a gift, gratuity, or special consideration to an individual subject to this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>This section does not preclude an individual from offering a gift to a relative.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="2-309" title_number="2" title_name="Public Service Commission and People's Counsel" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Ethics"> <text>Except as directed by the Commission or a court or as authorized by law, an individual subject to § 2-302 of this subtitle may not divulge information learned while inspecting the plant or examining the records of a public service company.</text> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="2-310" title_number="2" title_name="Public Service Commission and People's Counsel" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Ethics"> <text>An individual subject to § 2–302 of this subtitle may not violate this division.</text> </section>