<section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="5-101" title_number="5" title_name="Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Powers and Duties of the Commission"> <level label="a"> <text>After providing notice and an opportunity for interested parties to be heard, the Commission may adopt regulations that prescribe standards for safe, adequate, reasonable, and proper service for any class of public service company or gas master meter operator.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The standards adopted under subsection (a) of this section shall best promote, in the opinion of the Commission, the security or convenience of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the public;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>those employed in furnishing services; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>those to whom services are rendered.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Commission may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>enforce the standards adopted under this section; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>by order, as the Commission considers necessary, require changes and additions in the service of any public service company or gas master meter operator, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>repairs or improvements in plant;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>increase in motive power; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>change in schedule or manner of operations.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="5-102" title_number="5" title_name="Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Powers and Duties of the Commission"> <level label="a"> <text>The Commission may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>as it considers reasonable and proper, order a common carrier to issue mileage, excursion, school commuter, passenger commuter, or joint interchangeable mile tickets for all or part of the common carrier’s route in the State; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>require any two or more common carriers, whose lines form a continuous line of transportation or whose lines could form a continuous line of transportation by means of switch connection, to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>establish through routes and joint rates;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>provide for the manner of securing the through routes or paying the joint rates; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>apportion the through routes and joint rates between the affected common carriers.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This section:</text> <level label="1"> <text>is subject to § 7-208(f) of the Transportation Article; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>does not limit § 5-101 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="5-103" title_number="5" title_name="Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Powers and Duties of the Commission"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Commission may require a public service company to continue any service that the public service company renders to the public under any franchise, right, or permit, after any applicable expiration date.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Unless authorized by the Commission, a public service company may not discontinue or abandon a service under a franchise, right, or permit.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Commission may authorize a public service company to discontinue or abandon a service under a franchise, right, or permit if the Commission finds that the present or future public convenience and necessity allows the discontinuance or abandonment.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Denial of authorization to discontinue or abandon a service under a franchise, right, or permit does not preclude subsequent reapplication.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Whenever the Commission authorizes the abandonment or discontinuance of a franchise, right, or permit, as a whole or in part, that involves any service to or from a suburban community, the Commission:</text> <level label="i"> <text>shall consider all applications to acquire the franchise, right, or permit to render the service; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>shall grant the application to the best qualified applicant.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An abandoned or discontinued right that extends between mid-city and suburban termini shall continue to extend between the mid-city and suburban termini if the abandoned or discontinued right:</text> <level label="i"> <text>as acquired by the abandoning or discontinuing public service company or its predecessor, extended from mid-city to suburban termini; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>was operated between the mid-city and suburban termini during most of its existence or for an aggregate of at least 15 years.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="5-104" title_number="5" title_name="Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Powers and Duties of the Commission"> <level label="a"> <text>The Commission may authorize the acts described in §§ 5-202, 5-203, and 5-205 of this title and § 6-101(a) of this article if it finds that the authorization is consistent with the public convenience and necessity.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Authority that the Commission grants under §§ 5-202 and 5-203 of this title does not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>revive a lapsed franchise;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>validate an invalid franchise;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>enlarge or add to the powers and privileges of a franchise; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>waive a forfeiture.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="5-105" title_number="5" title_name="Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Powers and Duties of the Commission"> <text>The Commission shall require each gas company, electric company, and telephone company to exempt the dwelling units of subscribing individuals who are at least 60 years old from any cash deposit requirement, if the subscriber does not owe any past-due bill to that public service company.</text> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="5-106" title_number="5" title_name="Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Powers and Duties of the Commission"> <text>Before a license or permit may be issued under this article to an employer to engage in an activity in which the employer may employ a covered employee, as defined in § 9-101 of the Labor and Employment Article, the employer shall file with the issuing authority:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a certificate of compliance with the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Act; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the number of a workers’ compensation insurance policy or binder.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="5-201" title_number="5" title_name="Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Powers of Public Service Companies"> <level label="a"> <text>A public service company may not exercise a franchise granted by law except to the extent authorized by the Commission.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A public service company may not exercise a franchise unless it files with the Commission:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a certified copy of its charter; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a statement by its president and secretary, signed under oath, that the appropriate local authorities have provided the required consent for the exercise of the franchise.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="5-202" title_number="5" title_name="Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Powers of Public Service Companies"> <text>Without prior authorization of the Commission, a public service company may not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>assign, lease, or transfer a franchise or a right under a franchise;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>enter into any agreement or contract that materially affects a franchise or a right under a franchise; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>abandon or discontinue the exercise of a franchise or a right as a whole or in part.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="5-203" title_number="5" title_name="Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Powers of Public Service Companies"> <level label="a"> <text>This section does not apply to a merger of or transfer of stock or other ownership interest between:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a telephone company; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>another entity with a greater than 50% ownership in common with the telephone company.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Subject to § 6–101 of this article, without prior authorization of the Commission, a public service company may not purchase, acquire, take, or hold any part of the capital stock of another public service company that operates in Maryland.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection applies to corporations that operate in Maryland.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (5) of this subsection, without prior authorization of the Commission, a public service company may not:</text> <level label="i"> <text>assume or guarantee an obligation or liability with respect to stocks, bonds, securities, notes, or other evidence of indebtedness that is payable as a whole or in part to any person more than 12 months after the date of issuance; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>issue stocks, bonds, securities, notes, or other evidence of indebtedness payable as a whole or in part more than 12 months after the date of issuance.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Stocks, bonds, securities, notes, or other evidence of indebtedness described under paragraph (2)(ii) of this subsection shall be issued in accordance with §§ 6–102 and 6–103 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The Commission shall take action on an application for authorization under this section within a reasonable time after receipt.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Prior authorization of the Commission is not required for an assumption or guarantee under paragraph (2)(i) of this subsection or an issuance under paragraph (2)(ii) of this subsection made by a gas company, electric company, or telephone company whose gross annual revenues, for the most recent calendar year for which data are available, are less than 3% of the total gross annual revenues of all public service companies in the State during the same calendar year, if the gas company, electric company, or telephone company:</text> <level label="i"> <text>provides prior written notice to the Commission of the transaction; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>obtains approval of the transaction from the entity in another state that regulates the gas company, electric company, or telephone company.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="5-204" title_number="5" title_name="Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Powers of Public Service Companies"> <level label="a"> <text>This section does not apply to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a municipal corporation, sanitary district, or other unit of government;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>an individual, for the construction of a water system or sewage disposal system for the individual’s personal or private use; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a group of individuals for their joint personal or private use, unless the Commission finds that the joint use is for the purpose of generally serving a proposed new housing development.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Without the prior authorization of the Commission, a person may not construct a water system or sewage disposal system for public use.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The Commission may authorize the construction of a water system or sewage disposal system for public use only on a finding that the construction of the water system or sewage disposal system is in the public interest.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In determining whether the proposed construction of the water system or sewage disposal system is in the public interest, the Commission shall consider:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the financing plans for the proposed construction; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>other pertinent facts and circumstances.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>An applicant for authorization to construct a water system or sewage disposal system:</text> <level label="1"> <text>shall fully disclose to the Commission the financing plans for the construction; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>has the burden of proof to satisfy the Commission that the construction is in the public interest.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>After a hearing, the Commission may revoke an authorization to construct a water system or sewage disposal system if the Commission finds that the revocation is in the public interest.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An order of revocation may be appealed in accordance with § 3-204 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Subject to action of the Commission under § 3-205 of this article, the filing of an appeal does not stay an order of revocation.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>After the Commission issues an order of revocation, the water system or sewage disposal system may not be operated until the revocation is repealed by:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the Commission; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the final disposition of an appeal from the order of revocation.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="5-205" title_number="5" title_name="Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Powers of Public Service Companies"> <level label="a"> <text>Without prior authorization of the Commission, a person may not transfer a controlling interest in a water company or sewage disposal company to another person.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Commission may authorize the transfer of a controlling interest in a water company or sewage disposal company if the Commission finds that the transfer is consistent with the public convenience and necessity.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="5-301" title_number="5" title_name="Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Duties of Public Service Companies"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as otherwise provided by law, this section does not apply to a requirement or violation of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Subtitle 4 of this title;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Title 7, Subtitle 1 of this article;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Title 8, Subtitles 1 and 3 of this article; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Title 9, Subtitle 3 of this article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A public service company:</text> <level label="1"> <text>shall comply fully with the requirements of this division; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>may not violate any provision of this division.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="5-302" title_number="5" title_name="Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Duties of Public Service Companies"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a public service company shall file with the Commission:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an annual report for the preceding calendar year; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>special reports, information, contracts, records, and copies as required by the Commission.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Unless otherwise directed by the Commission, a public service company is not required to comply with subsection (a) of this section if the public service company is:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a common carrier; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a telephone company whose rates are not regulated by the Commission under Title 4 of this article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Commission may require a public service company that files documents under subsection (a) of this section to file the documents under oath.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="5-303" title_number="5" title_name="Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Duties of Public Service Companies"> <text>A public service company shall furnish equipment, services, and facilities that are safe, adequate, just, reasonable, economical, and efficient, considering the conservation of natural resources and the quality of the environment.</text> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="5-304" title_number="5" title_name="Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Duties of Public Service Companies"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>A public service company shall notify the Commission of any accident involving the public service company that results in:</text> <level label="i"> <text>personal injury requiring hospitalization;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>property damage exceeding $50,000; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>loss of life.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The public service company shall notify the Commission within 30 days after the day the accident occurs or within a period that the Commission prescribes.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The notice:</text> <level label="1"> <text>shall be in a form that the Commission prescribes; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>may not be admissible in evidence, or used for any purpose against the public service company that provides the notice, in an action for damages arising out of any matter that is reported in the notice.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="5-305" title_number="5" title_name="Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Duties of Public Service Companies"> <level label="a"> <text>This section applies to a project by an investor–owned gas company, electric company, or combination gas and electric company involving the construction, reconstruction, installation, demolition, restoration, or alteration of any underground gas or electric infrastructure of the company, and any related traffic control activities.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An investor–owned gas company, electric company, or combination gas and electric company shall require a contractor or subcontractor on a project described in subsection (a) of this section to pay its employees not less than the prevailing wage rate determined solely by the Commissioner of Labor and Industry in a process substantially similar to the process established under Title 17, Subtitle 2 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>In accordance with Title 3, Subtitle 5 of the Labor and Employment Article, the Maryland Department of Labor shall enforce the requirement under subsection (b) of this section for contractors and subcontractors to pay employees not less than the prevailing wage rate determined solely by the Commissioner of Labor and Industry.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A contract entered into after March 1, 2024, by an investor–owned gas company, electric company, or combination gas and electric company that is for the construction, reconstruction, installation, demolition, restoration, or alteration of any underground gas or electric infrastructure, and any related traffic control activities, includes a contract that has been executed, amended, or altered after March 1, 2024.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="5-306" title_number="5" title_name="Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Duties of Public Service Companies"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “zero–trust” means a cybersecurity approach:</text> <level label="1"> <text>focused on cybersecurity resource protection; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>based on the premise that trust is never granted implicitly but must be continually evaluated.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This section does not apply to a public service company that is:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a common carrier; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a telephone company.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A public service company shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>adopt and implement cybersecurity standards that are equal to or exceed standards adopted by the Commission;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>adopt a zero–trust cybersecurity approach for on–premises services and cloud–based services;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>establish minimum security standards for each operational technology and information technology device based on the level of security risk for each device, including security risks associated with supply chains; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>on or before July 1, 2024, and on or before July 1 every other year thereafter, engage a third party to conduct an assessment of operational technology and information technology devices based on:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s Cross–Sector Cybersecurity Performance Goals; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a more stringent standard that is based on the National Institute of Standards and Technology security frameworks; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>submit to the Commission certification of the public service company’s compliance with standards used in the assessments under item (i) of this item.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Each public service company shall report, in accordance with the process established under paragraph (2) of this subsection, a cybersecurity incident, including an attack on a system being used by the public service company, to the State Security Operations Center in the Department of Information Technology.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The State Chief Information Security Officer, in consultation with the Commission, shall establish a process for a public service company to report cybersecurity incidents under paragraph (1) of this subsection, including establishing:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the criteria for determining the circumstances under which a cybersecurity incident must be reported;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the manner in which a cybersecurity incident must be reported; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the time period within which a cybersecurity incident must be reported.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The State Security Operations Center shall immediately notify appropriate State and local agencies of a cybersecurity incident reported under this subsection.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="5-401" title_number="5" title_name="Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Franchises and Condemnation"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle or by other law, the provisions of this subtitle are not subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission.</text> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="5-402" title_number="5" title_name="Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Franchises and Condemnation"> <level label="a"> <text>This subtitle does not authorize a corporation to take or use property unless just compensation, as agreed on with the owner or awarded by a jury, has been paid or tendered to the parties entitled to compensation or paid into court.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This subtitle does not authorize the location of a public road on private property without the consent of the owner or the decision of the county commissioners or county council after notice and an opportunity to be heard as required by law for opening or altering public roads.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="5-403" title_number="5" title_name="Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Franchises and Condemnation"> <level label="a"> <text>This section applies to a domestic or foreign corporation that is or may become engaged in the business of transmitting or supplying natural gas, artificial gas, or a mixture of natural and artificial gases.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Subject to subsection (c) of this section, a corporation described in subsection (a) of this section may acquire by condemnation, in accordance with Title 12 of the Real Property Article, rights-of-way or easements necessary to lay, construct, modify, repair, maintain, operate, and remove pipelines and appurtenances to pipelines for transmitting and supplying gas.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a corporation may not condemn rights-of-way or easements under subsection (b) of this section unless the corporation:</text> <level label="i"> <level label="1"> <text>transmits gas directly to local consumers in the State along the corporation’s proposed rights-of-way; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>offers to contract with those local consumers to supply them directly with gas on terms and conditions subject to the approval of the Commission; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>has certified to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation the name and address of a resident agent of the corporation in the State, service of process on whom shall bind the corporation until the appointment of a substitute is certified to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Paragraph (1) of this subsection does not affect the right of a corporation that was transmitting natural gas, artificial gas, or a mixture of natural and artificial gases for public use through one or more pipelines in the State on or before June 1, 1931, to condemn for public use necessary rights-of-way or easements for:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a pipeline or appurtenances to a pipeline in use on or before June 1, 1931;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>any incidental relocations of a pipeline or appurtenances to a pipeline in use on or before June 1, 1931; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>any additional pipelines or appurtenances to pipelines along and on the same routes or along and on any incidental relocations of a pipeline or appurtenances to a pipeline in use on or before June 1, 1931.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>This section does not affect the application of any provision of this article that applies generally or specifically to a corporation that is or may become engaged in the business of transmitting or supplying natural gas, artificial gas, or a mixture of natural and artificial gases.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="5-404" title_number="5" title_name="Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Franchises and Condemnation"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Oil pipeline corporation” means a corporation of this State, any other state, or the United States, that is:</text> <level label="i"> <text>engaged in the business of transporting refined petroleum products by pipeline as a common carrier public service corporation; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>subject to the jurisdiction of either the United States Department of Energy (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) or the Commission.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>“Property” means real property in fee simple or any lesser right, interest, or estate that is necessary for the intrastate or interstate purposes of the oil pipeline corporation or both.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Property” includes:</text> <level label="1"> <text>privately owned property;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>property owned by a public body; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>property devoted to public use if an acquisition under this section does not materially interfere with that public use.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An oil pipeline corporation that is operating an oil pipeline that existed in the State on or before July 1, 1978, may acquire by condemnation, in accordance with Title 12 of the Real Property Article, any property necessary to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>operate those existing oil pipelines and appurtenances; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>construct and operate additional oil pipelines and appurtenances along, on, adjacent to, or incidentally deviating not more than 50 feet from the routes followed by the corporation’s existing rights–of–way.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The right to acquire property under this section may be exercised only in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Cecil, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s counties and Baltimore City.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>An oil pipeline corporation shall restore to its original condition any property used for construction or maintenance of a pipeline.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, the construction or maintenance of the pipeline and the restoration of the property shall be completed within 7 days after the start of the construction or maintenance on that parcel of property.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If weather conditions or the nature of the terrain make completion within 7 days unfeasible, the oil pipeline corporation shall complete the construction or maintenance of the pipeline and the restoration of the property within 30 days.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>The right to acquire property under this section may not be exercised unless the oil pipeline corporation, whether or not it is otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission, first obtains an order from the Commission finding the acquisition to be in the public interest.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Before the Commission makes a finding and issues an order under this subsection, the Commission shall hold a public hearing.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The oil pipeline corporation shall give written notice of the public hearing to all affected property owners.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>This section does not affect any other law of the State that applies generally or specifically to oil pipeline corporations.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="5-405" title_number="5" title_name="Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Franchises and Condemnation"> <level label="a"> <text>A railroad company or its authorized agent may agree with the owner to purchase, use, occupy, or divert the owner’s land, earth, gravel, stone, timber, streams, materials, or improvements that the company wants for the proper construction or repair of the railroad company’s roads or works.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The company may acquire the property by condemnation under Title 12 of the Real Property Article if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the company cannot agree with the owner of the property; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>an owner:</text> <level label="i"> <text>is a minor, is adjudged to be mentally incompetent, or is under any other legal disability to contract; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>is absent from the county in which the property is located when the company wants the property.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="5-406" title_number="5" title_name="Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Franchises and Condemnation"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>A railroad company may change the location or grade of any portion of its road if the company finds the change is necessary for any reasonable cause, including to avoid:</text> <level label="i"> <text>inconvenience to public travel;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>dangerous or difficult curves or grades; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>unsafe or unsubstantial grounds or foundations.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A change of location or grade under this section shall follow the general route of the existing road.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A railroad company may enter on and take land and make surveys necessary to make the change in location or grade in accordance with Title 12 of the Real Property Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>A railroad company is liable to the owner of the land on which the road was constructed for any damages caused by a change in location or grade of the road.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The amount of damages determined shall be paid to the owner or deposited into court.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An owner shall claim damages within:</text> <level label="i"> <text>30 days after actual notice of the intended change has been given to the owner, if the owner resides on the premises; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>60 days after publication of notice in a newspaper in general circulation in the county, if the owner is a nonresident.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If a railroad company condemns land under this section, the condemnation is binding on the company, unless the company chooses to abandon the location within 30 days after making the condemnation.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="5-407" title_number="5" title_name="Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Franchises and Condemnation"> <level label="a"> <text>A railroad company and the municipal corporation, public officer, or public authority that owns or has control of any road, street, alley, or other public way or ground necessary to locate any part of the railroad may agree on the manner, terms, and conditions allowing the railroad company to use or occupy the road, street, alley, or other public way or ground.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If the parties are unable to agree and the railroad company needs to use or occupy the road, street, alley, or other public way or ground, the railroad company may acquire the property by condemnation in accordance with Title 12 of the Real Property Article.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>A railroad company that lays track on any public street, road, alley, or other public way or ground is responsible for any damage done by the location of the track to private property on or near the public way or ground.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The owner of the private property shall bring a civil action for damages under this subsection within 2 years after the completion of the track.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A railroad company may not pass through Baltimore City without the consent of the Mayor and City Council.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="5-408" title_number="5" title_name="Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Franchises and Condemnation"> <text>The power of a railroad company to condemn land and other property under this subtitle includes the power to condemn, for railroad purposes, private crossings or ways and land and other property to provide substitute outlets.</text> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="5-409" title_number="5" title_name="Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Franchises and Condemnation"> <text>Sections 5-405, 5-406, and 5-407 of this subtitle apply to all railroads operated by electricity, cable, or other improved motive power, whether the property proposed to be condemned is located in a county or Baltimore City, where streets and alleys have not been opened and occupied as city streets.</text> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="5-410" title_number="5" title_name="Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Franchises and Condemnation"> <level label="a"> <text>This section applies to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a telegraph company that has its principal office in the State;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a telephone company that has its principal office in the State;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a corporation formed as a Class 13 corporation under Article 23, § 28 of the Code of 1904; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>a telephone company that owns lines and provides local exchange or interexchange service in the State with the approval of the Commission.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A company described in subsection (a) of this section has the same power granted to telegraph and telephone companies by §§ 8-103, 8-104, 8-105, and 8-106(a) of this article and may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>construct and lay lines underground or above ground on any route for which it is authorized to construct lines as a whole or in part; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, acquire by condemnation, in accordance with Title 12 of the Real Property Article, any property or right that the company considers necessary for its purposes.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Before using either the surface of or the ground beneath the streets or highways of Baltimore City, the company shall obtain the consent of the Mayor and City Council.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>This subsection does not apply to corporations that were in practical operation on June 1, 1910, and that had laid or constructed lines, pipes, mains, or other structures in Baltimore City, unless the corporations use new and additional streets and highways in Baltimore City for their lines, pipes, mains, or other structures.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>This section does not authorize a telephone company described in subsection (a)(4) of this section that, as of September 30, 1993, did not have the power of condemnation granted to a telegraph company under §§ 8-103, 8-104, 8-105, and 8-106(a) of this article, to acquire property for communications towers or buildings.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="5-411" title_number="5" title_name="Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Franchises and Condemnation"> <text>A water company may acquire by condemnation, in accordance with Title 12 of the Real Property Article, any land or water rights that the company is authorized to acquire to lay pipes or construct its work, if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the company cannot agree with the owner of the land or water rights; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>an owner:</text> <level label="i"> <text>is a minor, is adjudged to be mentally incompetent, or is under any other legal disability to contract; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>when the company needs the land or water rights, is absent from the county or city in which the property is located.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="5-501" title_number="5" title_name="Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Account holder” means the individual in whose name a utility account is established.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Utility” means an electric company, an electricity supplier, a gas company, a gas supplier, a sewage disposal company, a water company, or any combination of these companies.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If an account holder’s surviving spouse presents to a utility the account holder’s death certificate and their marriage certificate or a State or federal tax return filed jointly by the account holder and the surviving spouse in the immediately preceding year, the utility shall, without requiring any further information, other than updated contact information, or imposing any fee or penalty:</text> <level label="1"> <text>temporarily keep the account open for a period of not less than 6 months and, during that time, treat the surviving spouse as a joint holder of the account; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>transfer the account to the surviving spouse.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Notwithstanding subsection (b)(1) of this section, a utility may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>in accordance with any other applicable law, impose a fee or penalty or terminate an account for nonpayment; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>at the request of the surviving spouse, close the account.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gpu" article_name="Public Utilities" number="5-502" title_number="5" title_name="Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Miscellaneous"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Abuse” has the meaning stated in § 4–501(b) of the Family Law Article.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Account holder” means an individual in whose name a utility account is maintained individually or jointly with other individuals.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“Offender” means an individual who commits an act of abuse.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>“Qualified third party” means:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a licensed physician or psychologist authorized to practice under the Health Occupations Article;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a social worker or caseworker of any public or private health or social services agency or provider; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>an advocate from a domestic violence or sexual assault prevention or assistance program.</text> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <text>“Report by a qualified third party” means a report based on information received by a qualified third party while acting in a professional capacity that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>indicates that the account holder is seeking assistance as a result of being a victim of abuse; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>includes the following information:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the name of the account holder;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the date, time, location, and a brief description of the incident;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>the name and physical description of the alleged offender, if known;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the name and address of the employer of the qualified third party;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>if the qualified third party is required to be licensed, the licensing entity and license number of the qualified third party;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>the signature of the qualified third party, under seal of a notary public; and</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>the acknowledgment and signature of the account holder under penalty of perjury.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="7"> <text>“Utility” means an electric company, an electricity supplier, a gas company, a gas supplier, a sewage disposal company, a water company, or any combination of these companies.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to subsections (c) and (d) of this section, if an account holder is a victim of abuse, the account holder may terminate, and the utility shall allow for the termination of, the account holder’s future liability under a utility contract if the account holder provides the utility with written notice by first–class mail or hand delivery of the account holder’s request for termination of the account holder’s future liability under the contract.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The notice required under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>a copy of an enforceable final protective order issued for the benefit of the account holder under § 4–506 of the Family Law Article;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a copy of an enforceable final peace order, for which the underlying act was an act of abuse, issued for the benefit of the account holder under § 3–1505 of the Courts Article; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a copy of a report by a qualified third party if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>the name and physical description of the alleged offender are redacted; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the report was signed by the qualified third party within the 60 days immediately preceding the date the notice is provided under paragraph (1) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>An account holder who terminates a utility contract under subsection (b) of this section is responsible for utility charges only up to and including the billing cycle during which the written notice required under subsection (b) of this section is submitted.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>If an account holder terminates a utility contract under subsection (b) of this section, the utility shall allow the account holder to open a new utility account for a new premises notwithstanding an account balance or arrearage at the premises described in the written notice under subsection (b) of this section.</text> </level> </section>