# Public Utilities (GPU)

## Title 2. Public Service Commission and People's Counsel

### Subtitle 3. Ethics

#### Section 2-301

In this subtitle, "relative" means an individual related by blood or marriage.

#### Section 2-302

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.

#### Section 2-303

(a) This section applies to each individual subject to Sec. 2-302 of this subtitle and to:

  (1) 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

  (2) each spouse or dependent child of each other officer or employee of the Commission or Office of People's Counsel.

(b) An individual subject to this section may not:

  (1) hold an official relation to or connection with a public service company; or

  (2) have a pecuniary interest in a public service company as the holder of stock or other securities or otherwise.

#### Section 2-304

An individual subject to Sec. 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.

#### Section 2-305

An individual subject to Sec. 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.

#### Section 2-306

(a) Until at least 2 years have passed after leaving service as a commissioner or the People's Counsel, an individual may not:

  (1) represent a public service company before the Commission;

  (2) appear before the Commission on behalf of a party to a Commission proceeding; or

  (3) appear before the Commission on a matter within the jurisdiction of the Commission.

(b) 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:

  (1) represent a public service company before the Commission;

  (2) appear before the Commission on behalf of a party to a Commission proceeding; or

  (3) appear before the Commission on a matter within the jurisdiction of the Commission.

(c) 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:

  (1) a public service company that is subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission; or

  (2) 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.

#### Section 2-307

(a) This section applies to each individual subject to Sec. 2-302 of this subtitle and to:

  (1) 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

  (2) each spouse or dependent child of each other officer or employee of the Commission or Office of People's Counsel.

(b)

  (1) 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.

  (2) This subsection does not preclude an individual from accepting a gift from a relative.

#### Section 2-308

(a) This section applies to each individual subject to Sec. 2-302 of this subtitle and to:

  (1) 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

  (2) each spouse or dependent child of each other officer or employee of the Commission or Office of People's Counsel.

(b)

  (1) 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.

  (2) This section does not preclude an individual from offering a gift to a relative.

#### Section 2-309

Except as directed by the Commission or a court or as authorized by law, an individual subject to Sec. 2-302 of this subtitle may not divulge information learned while inspecting the plant or examining the records of a public service company.

#### Section 2-310

An individual subject to Sec. 2-302 of this subtitle may not violate this division.

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