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<section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="25-505" title_number="25" title_name="Rates and Charges" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Service Rates">
  <level label="a">
    <level label="1">
      <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>“Acquiring authority” means the State, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, or any municipality or unit of the State, Montgomery County, or Prince George’s County.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>“Bill for water and sewer usage charges” includes, if applicable, the late payment penalty provided under § 25–504(c) of this subtitle.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <level label="1">
      <text>Before acquiring property in the sanitary district, an acquiring authority shall:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>determine if any bill for water and sewer usage charges is outstanding against the property; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>require the payment of any outstanding bill for water or sewer charges on the property before acquiring the property.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>If a bill for water and sewer usage charges is not paid before an acquiring authority acquires the property, the acquiring authority shall:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>deduct the amount of the bill from the purchase price of the property; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>pay the amount of the bill over to the Commission.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>If the bill for water or sewer usage charges is not paid when the acquisition of the property is completed, the acquiring authority:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>is responsible for the bill; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>shall pay the bill to the Commission on demand.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
