Utility Regulation
Maryland 2017 Regular Session
Electric Universal Service Program - Unexpended Funds [HB-1002]
Providing that the Public Service Commission has oversight responsibility over specified expenditures of the electric universal service program; requiring the Department of Human Resources to expend specified funds in specified fiscal years for specified purposes, including bill assistance and arrearage retirement, targeted weatherization, or arrearage management; stating the intent of the General Assembly regarding the timing for expending specified unexpended bill assistance and arrearage funds; etc.
Sponsored by: Rep. Dereck Davis
Approved By The Governor - Chapter 777 on 05/25/2017
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Gettr Maryland 2017 Regular Session
Electric Universal Service Program - Unexpended Funds [SB-966]
Providing that the Public Service Commission has oversight responsibility over specified expenditures of the electric universal service program; requiring the Department of Human Resources to expend specified funds collected for the program in specified fiscal years for specified purposes, including bill assistance and arrearage retirement, targeted weatherization, or arrearage management; and stating the intent of the General Assembly regarding the timing for expending specified unexpended bill assistance and arrearage funds.
Sponsored by: Sen. Thomas Middleton
Hearing 3/07 At 1:00 P.m. on 03/07/2018
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Maryland 2017 Regular Session
Electricity - Construction of Overhead Transmission Lines - Condemnation Authority [SB-969]
Authorizing a person to which a specified certificate of public convenience and necessity is issued for the construction of a specified overhead transmission line to acquire specified property or rights by condemnation; and applying the Act to the construction of an overhead transmission line for which a certificate of public convenience and necessity is required.
Sponsored by: Sen. Brian Feldman
Enacted Under Article Ii, Section 17(c) Of The Maryland Constitution - Chapter 840 on 05/27/2017
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Maryland 2017 Regular Session
Public Service Commission - Application for Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity - Consistency With Comprehensive Plan [SB-851]
Requiring the Public Service Commission to provide a copy of specified application materials for a certificate of public convenience and necessity to each appropriate unit of local government in which the construction of a generating station or of a specified overhead transmission line is proposed to be located; requiring each unit of local government to review the application materials and make a specified determination as to whether the application is consistent with the jurisdiction's comprehensive plan; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. Justin Ready
Hearing 3/14 At 1:00 P.m. on 03/14/2017
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Maryland 2017 Regular Session
Environment - Natural Gas and Oil Interest Restitution Fund [SB-980]
Establishing the Natural Gas and Oil Interest Restitution Fund as a special, nonlapsing fund; specifying the purpose of the Fund; requiring the Department of the Environment to administer the Fund; requiring the State Treasurer to hold the Fund and the Comptroller to account for the Fund; specifying the contents of the Fund; specifying the purpose for which the Fund may be used; requiring that a specified owner of a natural gas or oil interest make a specified demonstration in order to receive compensation from the Fund; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. George Edwards
Unfavorable Report By Education, Health, And Environmental Affairs on 03/13/2017
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Maryland 2017 Regular Session
Public Service Commission - Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity - Consistency With Comprehensive Plan [SB-931]
Requiring the Public Service Commission, rather than the Department of Planning, to provide a copy of application materials for a certificate of public convenience and necessity to each appropriate unit of local government in which the construction of a generating station is proposed and to specified public officials; requiring the Commission to take final action on the application only after due consideration of the consistency of the application with the jurisdiction's comprehensive plan and of efforts to resolve specified issues; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. Thomas Middleton
First Reading House Rules And Executive Nominations on 04/05/2017
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Maryland 2017 Regular Session
Electric Cooperatives - Rate Regulation - Fixed Charges for Distribution System Costs [SB-771]
Authorizing an electric cooperative to propose a fixed charge for specified fixed costs; requiring the fixed charge to be applied in a specified manner; prohibiting an electric cooperative from proposing an increase to a fixed charge that is more than $2.50 greater than the fixed charge in effect 1 year before the effective date of the proposed increase; specifying the manner in which an electric cooperative may propose a fixed charge; applying the Act prospectively; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. Thomas Middleton
Hearing 2/21 At 1:00 P.m. on 02/21/2017
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Maryland 2017 Regular Session
Connecting Rural Maryland Act of 2017 [SB-717]
Establishing the Task Force on Rural Internet, Broadband, Wireless, and Cellular Service; requiring the Task Force to study and make recommendations on ways Western Maryland counties, Southern Maryland counties, Eastern Shore counties, and Frederick, Carroll, and Harford counties can work together to obtain federal assistance to improve specified communications services and accessibility in the specified counties; requiring the Task Force to report its findings to the Governor and General Assembly by November 30, 2017; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. Thomas Middleton
Approved By The Governor - Chapter 621 on 05/25/2017
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Maryland 2017 Regular Session
Clean Energy - Energy Storage Technology Study [SB-715]
Requiring the Power Plant Research Program to conduct a study of regulatory reforms and market incentives that may be necessary or beneficial to increase the use of energy storage devices in the State; requiring the Program to consult with specified entities and interests in conducting the study; prohibiting the cost of the study from exceeding $125,000 per fiscal year; requiring the Program to make its final report and recommend policy actions to specified Committees of the General Assembly on or before December 1, 2018; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. James Rosapepe
Third Reading Passed (47-0) on 04/06/2017
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Maryland 2017 Regular Session
Public Utilities - Transportation Network Services - Operators' Licenses and Vehicle Permits [SB-766]
Requiring that a passenger motor vehicle used to provide transportation network services have a specified safety inspection certificate issued within 90 days after the first use of the vehicle to provide the services; prohibiting the Public Service Commission from denying an application for specified transportation network operators' licenses due to a criminal conviction or traffic violation that occurred more than 7 years before the application, with an exception; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. William Ferguson
Unfavorable Report By Finance; Withdrawn on 03/09/2017
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Maryland 2017 Regular Session
Clean Energy - Energy Storage Technology Study [HB-773]
Requiring the Power Plant Research Program to conduct a study of regulatory reforms and market incentives that may be necessary or beneficial to increase the use of energy storage devices in the State; requiring the Program to consult with specified entities and interests in conducting the study; prohibiting the cost of the study from exceeding $125,000 per fiscal year; requiring the Program to make its final report and recommend policy actions to specified Committees of the General Assembly on or before December 1, 2018; etc.
Sponsored by: Rep. C. William Frick
Approved By The Governor - Chapter 382 on 05/04/2017
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Maryland 2017 Regular Session
Termination of Electric or Gas Service - Prohibition [SB-658]
Prohibiting a public service company from terminating, under specified circumstances, electric or gas service to a residential customer during a severe weather period for a severe weather event and on specified days; prohibiting a public service company, on receipt of a specified request or subsequent request, from terminating, under specified circumstances, electric or gas service to a residential customer for 30 days beyond a scheduled termination of service date under specified circumstances; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. James Rosapepe
Unfavorable Report By Finance; Withdrawn on 03/09/2017
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Maryland 2017 Regular Session
Natural Resources - State-Owned Land - Wind Facilities [HB-867]
Authorizing the Department of Natural Resources to use land that is owned and managed by the Department for the generation of electricity from a facility utilizing wind energy, subject to a specified exception.
Sponsored by: Rep. Kumar Barve
Hearing 3/01 At 1:00 P.m. (environment And Transportation) on 03/01/2017
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Maryland 2017 Regular Session
Public Utilities - Telephone Lifeline Service - Revisions [SB-649]
Providing that a specified local telephone company provide "lifeline" to qualifying low-income consumers under specified circumstances; repealing a requirement that a telephone company charge an eligible subscriber a percentage of a specified tariff under specified circumstances; requiring the Department of Human Resources to provide specified information to local telephone companies to the extent allowed by State law in addition to federal law and until specified eligibility is determined; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. Thomas Middleton
Approved By The Governor - Chapter 533 on 05/04/2017
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Maryland 2017 Regular Session
Senior Call-Check Service and Notification Program - Establishment [HB-601]
Altering the programs to be funded by the Universal Service Trust Fund; requiring the Secretary of Information Technology to certify the cost of the programs to be paid by the Universal Service Trust Fund; requiring the Public Service Commission to determine the amount of a specified monthly surcharge; establishing the Senior Call-Check Service and Notification Program, operated by the Department of Aging, to regularly call the residence of an eligible participant to verify the participant's ability to receive specified notifications; etc.
Sponsored by: Rep. Dana Stein
Approved By The Governor - Chapter 673 on 05/25/2017
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Maryland 2017 Regular Session
Public Safety - 9-1-1 Emergency Telephone System - 9-1-1 Director's Council (Carl Henn's Law) [SB-466]
Establishing the 9-1-1 Director's Council to work with a specified Board and specified organizations to identify, plan for, coordinate, and make recommendations regarding the call-taking and dispatch operations of public safety answering points in the State; requiring the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems to work with the Maryland Association of Counties to secure specified staff and support; requiring the Council to report its recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly by December 1 each year; etc.
Sponsored by: Sen. Thomas Middleton
Rereferred To Health And Government Operations on 04/08/2017
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Maryland 2017 Regular Session
Energy Efficiency Programs - Calculation of Program Savings and Consideration of Cost-Effectiveness [HB-514]
Requiring the Public Service Commission to require each electric company to procure or provide specified energy efficiency and conservation programs and services to its electricity customers on a specified savings trajectory for the duration of the 2018-2020 and 2021-2023 program cycles; establishing a baseline for the savings trajectory; requiring that specified nonenergy benefits be quantifiable and directly related to a specified program or service; etc.
Sponsored by: Rep. Talmadge Branch
Enacted Under Article Ii, Section 17(c) Of The Maryland Constitution - Chapter 780 on 05/27/2017
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Maryland 2017 Regular Session
Public Utilities - Water Companies and Sewage Disposal Companies - Rate Cases and Proceedings [HB-511]
Authorizing the technical staff of the Public Service Commission to assist a water company or a sewage disposal company in establishing a proposed just and reasonable rate; authorizing the technical staff to seek information from specified companies under specified circumstances; requiring the Commission to restrict the availability of specified staff-assisted rate cases to companies who gross annual revenue for a specified time period are below an amount determined by the Commission, not to exceed $1,000,000; etc.
Sponsored by: Rep. Talmadge Branch
Approved By The Governor - Chapter 535 on 05/04/2017
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Maryland 2017 Regular Session
Gas Companies - Rate Regulation - Environmental Remediation Costs [HB-414]
Authorizing the Public Service Commission, when determining specified expenses while setting a just and reasonable rate for a gas company, to include all costs reasonably incurred by the gas company for performing environmental remediation of real property in response to a State or federal law, regulation, or order under specified conditions; authorizing that specified environmental remediation costs be included in a gas company's specified expenses regardless of specified circumstances; etc.
Sponsored by: Rep. Charles Barkley
First Reading Senate Rules on 04/10/2017
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Maryland 2017 Regular Session
Public Service Commission - Rates for Gas and Electricity - Discount for Qualified Residential Customers in Baltimore City [HB-356]
Requiring the Public Service Commission to issue an order that sets specified rates for electricity and gas for specified residential customers in Baltimore City who are 55 years old or older and have been customers of the electric company, gas company, or electric and gas company for at least 1 year at a level 10% lower than the rates for other residential customers in Baltimore City.
Sponsored by: Rep. Frank Conaway
Unfavorable Report By Economic Matters on 02/13/2017