<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" citation="COMAR 20.54.02.02" title_num="20" subtitle_num="54" chapter_num="02" heading="Application Requirements.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>A person applying for a gas supplier license or to transfer an existing gas supplier license shall file an application on the form provided by the Commission.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The application shall contain at least the following information:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The technical and managerial competency of the applicant;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A statement indicating compliance with all applicable requirements of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A statement of compliance with applicable federal and State consumer protection laws, and environmental laws and regulations relating to the gas services;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Proof of financial integrity;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>A certificate from:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The state under which the applicant's business is formed, indicating that the applicant is in good standing and qualified to do business in the state of formation; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation, indicating that the business is qualified to do business in the State, if the business of the applicant is formed under the laws of a state other than Maryland;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>An affidavit of tax compliance, including local taxes and surcharges;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>If the applicant provides competitive billing services:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A statement of compliance with any local licensing and bonding requirement; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A copy of the agreement between the gas company and the gas supplier that:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Details the reciprocal responsibilities for collection and ownership of accounts receivable; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Prohibits the gas company from commencing collection or service termination action of any kind against a retail customer for nonpayment of utility charges billed by the gas supplier unless the retail customer fails upon request to provide evidence of payment to the gas supplier of the utility charges;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>If the applicant intends to collect a deposit or prepayment from a retail customer, a bond as required under COMAR 20.54.03.03 or similar instrument approved by the Commission;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>If applicable, a certificate of compliance with the provisions of Labor and Employment Article, Title 9, Annotated Code of Maryland relating to Maryland Workers' Compensation; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(10)">
      <text>A statement confirming that the applicant will not offer or provide supplier-consolidated billing without Commission licensing that authorizes the provision of supplier-consolidated billing.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>In addition to the requirements of §§A and B of this regulation, an applicant seeking to provide supplier-consolidated billing shall, at a minimum, provide the following:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Certification that the applicant will comply with all laws and regulatory requirements for Maryland bills that contain regulated utility charges and retail energy charges;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Certification that the applicant will comply with all applicable statutes and regulatory requirements and maintain the following minimum functions:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Call center operations;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Complaint resolution procedures; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Billing, credit, and collection procedures;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Certification that the applicant will coordinate with the gas company to exchange information and data using Statewide uniform transactions and standards approved by the Commission before engaging in supplier-consolidated billing in the gas company's service territory;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Proof of an ongoing quality assurance process that documents the accuracy of customer bills; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Such additional information as the Commission may require.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>A licensed gas supplier that seeks to perform supplier-consolidated billing shall apply to amend its authority under the terms of this subtitle.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>