reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  7-537 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 7 - Gas, Electric, and Water Companies|Subtitle 5 - Electric Industry Restructuring|Part III - Rate Stabilization|Section 7-537 - Rate Stabilization Property

    (a)    The rights and interests of an electric company or successor under a qualified rate order, including the right to impose, collect, and receive qualified rate stabilization charges authorized in the order:        (1)    become rate stabilization property when they are first transferred to an assignee or are pledged in connection with the issuance of rate stabilization bonds; but        (2)    are only contract rights before that first transfer or pledge.    (b)    Rate stabilization property constitutes a present property right:        (1)    for purposes of contracts concerning the sale or pledge of property, even though the imposition and collection of qualified rate stabilization charges depends on further acts of the electric company or others that have not yet occurred; and        (2)    for all purposes until the later of:            (i)    the period provided in the qualified rate order, to the extent provided in that order; or            (ii)    the payment in full of the rate stabilization bonds, including all principal, interest, premium, costs, and arrearages on the bonds.    (c)    All revenues and collections resulting from qualified rate stabilization charges are proceeds only of the rate stabilization property arising from the qualified rate order.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  7-538 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 7 - Gas, Electric, and Water Companies|Subtitle 5 - Electric Industry Restructuring|Part III - Rate Stabilization|Section 7-538 - Exemption From Taxes and Charges

    A transaction that involves the transfer and ownership of rate stabilization property and the receipt of rate stabilization charges are exempt from State and local income, sales, franchise, gross receipts, and other taxes or similar charges.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  7-539 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 7 - Gas, Electric, and Water Companies|Subtitle 5 - Electric Industry Restructuring|Part III - Rate Stabilization|Section 7-539 - Status of Agreement as Sale

    (a)    An agreement by an electric company or assignee to transfer rate stabilization property that expressly states that the transfer is a sale or other absolute transfer signifies that:        (1)    the transaction is a true sale and is not a secured transaction; and        (2)    legal and equitable title has passed to the entity to which the rate stabilization property is transferred.    (b)    The status of the transfer as a true sale prevails regardless of any recourse the purchaser may have against the seller, or any other term of the parties’ agreement, including:        (1)    the seller’s retention of an equity interest in the rate stabilization property;        (2)    the fact that the electric company acts as the collector of qualified rate stabilization charges relating to the rate stabilization property; and        (3)    the treatment of the transfer as a financing for tax, financial reporting, or other purposes.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  7-540 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 7 - Gas, Electric, and Water Companies|Subtitle 5 - Electric Industry Restructuring|Part III - Rate Stabilization|Section 7-540 - Interest of Assignee or Pledgee Not Subject to Setoff, Counterclaim, Surcharge, or Defense; Order Effective Despite Bankruptcy

    (a)    The interest of an assignee or pledgee in rate stabilization property and in the revenues and collections arising from that property is not subject to setoff, counterclaim, surcharge, or defense by the electric company or any other person or in connection with the bankruptcy of the electric company or any other entity.    (b)    A qualified rate order remains in effect and unabated notwithstanding the bankruptcy of the electric company, its successors, or assignees.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  7-541 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 7 - Gas, Electric, and Water Companies|Subtitle 5 - Electric Industry Restructuring|Part III - Rate Stabilization|Section 7-541 - Required Statements in Electric Bills

    (a)    (1)    The electric bill of an electric company that has obtained a qualified rate order and issued rate stabilization bonds must:            (i)    explicitly reflect that a portion of the charges on the bill represents qualified rate stabilization charges approved in a qualified rate order issued to the electric company; and            (ii)    if the rate stabilization property has been transferred to an assignee, include a statement to the effect that:                1.    the assignee is the owner of the rights to qualified rate stabilization charges; and                2.    the electric company or any other entity, if applicable, is acting as a collection agent or servicer for the assignee.        (2)    The tariff applicable to customers must indicate the qualified rate stabilization charge and the ownership of that charge.    (b)    The failure of an electric company to comply with this section may not invalidate, impair, or affect any qualified rate order, rate stabilization property, qualified rate stabilization charge, or rate stabilization bonds.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  7-543 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 7 - Gas, Electric, and Water Companies|Subtitle 5 - Electric Industry Restructuring|Part III - Rate Stabilization|Section 7-543 - Successors to Perform and Satisfy Obligations

    (a)    This section applies to a person that is a successor to an electric company, whether through:        (1)    a reorganization, bankruptcy, or other insolvency proceeding;        (2)    a merger or acquisition, sale, or other business combination; or        (3)    a transfer by operation of law.    (b)    A successor to an electric company shall perform and satisfy all obligations of, and have the same rights under a qualified rate order as, the electric company under the qualified rate order in the same manner and to the same extent as the electric company, including:        (1)    collecting the revenues, collections, payments, or proceeds of the rate stabilization property; and        (2)    paying them to the person entitled to receive them.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  7-544 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 7 - Gas, Electric, and Water Companies|Subtitle 5 - Electric Industry Restructuring|Part III - Rate Stabilization|Section 7-544 - Assignees or Financing Parties Not Considered Public Service Company or Electric Supplier

    An assignee or financing party may not be considered to be a public service company or an electricity supplier solely by virtue of the transactions described in this part.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  7-547 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 7 - Gas, Electric, and Water Companies|Subtitle 5 - Electric Industry Restructuring|Part IV - Rate Stabilization -- Specific Provisions|Section 7-547 - Scope of Part

    This part applies to an investor-owned electric company that has an obligation to provide standard offer service under § 7-510(c) of this subtitle to residential electric customers for whom rate cap or price freeze service established under a settlement agreement approved in accordance with § 7-505(d) of this subtitle expires at the end of June 30, 2006.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  7-549 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 7 - Gas, Electric, and Water Companies|Subtitle 5 - Electric Industry Restructuring|Part IV - Rate Stabilization -- Specific Provisions|Section 7-549 - Recovery of Actual Costs of Carrying Costs and Expenses

    (a)    In this section, “actual cost” means the costs and expenses deferred as regulatory assets multiplied by:        (1)    the electric company’s cost of debt; or        (2)    if the electric company secures the debt under Part III of this subtitle, the cost of the secured debt.    (b)    An electric company shall recover, as an additional rate stabilization cost, the actual cost to the electric company of carrying the costs and expenses deferred as regulatory assets under the rate stabilization plan.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  12-102 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 12 - Underground Facilities|Subtitle 1 - Excavation or Demolition Near Underground Facilities|Part I - Definitions; General Provisions|Section 12-102 - Legislative Intent

    It is the intent of the General Assembly to protect underground facilities of owners from destruction, damage, or dislocation to prevent:        (1)    death or injury to individuals;        (2)    property damage to private and public property; and        (3)    the loss of services provided to the general public.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  12-103 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 12 - Underground Facilities|Subtitle 1 - Excavation or Demolition Near Underground Facilities|Part I - Definitions; General Provisions|Section 12-103 - Scope of Subtitle

    This subtitle does not apply to an excavation or demolition performed or to be performed by an owner or lessee of a private residence when the excavation or demolition is performed or to be performed:        (1)    entirely on the land on which the private residence of the owner or lessee is located; and        (2)    without the use of machinery.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  12-106 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 12 - Underground Facilities|Subtitle 1 - Excavation or Demolition Near Underground Facilities|Part II - Maryland Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Authority|Section 12-106 - Authority Established

    (a)    There is a Maryland Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Authority.    (b)    It is the intent of the General Assembly that the Authority not be funded by appropriations from the State budget.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  12-107 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 12 - Underground Facilities|Subtitle 1 - Excavation or Demolition Near Underground Facilities|Part II - Maryland Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Authority|Section 12-107 - Membership

    (a)    The Authority consists of nine members appointed by the Governor.    (b)    The nine members shall be appointed as follows:        (1)    one member from a list submitted to the Governor by the Associated Utility Contractors of Maryland;        (2)    one member from a list submitted to the Governor by the Public Works Contractors Association of Maryland;        (3)    two underground facility owners that are members of a one–call system from a list submitted to the Governor by the Maryland members of the Maryland/DC Subscribers Committee;        (4)    one member from a list submitted to the Governor by the one–call centers operating in the State;        (5)    one member who represents the State’s underground utility locator community from a list submitted to the Governor by the Maryland members of the Maryland/DC Damage Prevention Committee;        (6)    one member who has experience in the field of underground utilities from a list submitted to the Governor by the Maryland Association of Counties;        (7)    one member who has experience in the field of underground utilities from a list submitted to the Governor by the Maryland Municipal League; and        (8)    one member of the general public from a list submitted to the Governor by the other appointed and qualified members of the Authority.    (c)    To the extent practicable, members appointed to the Authority shall reasonably reflect the geographic, racial, and gender diversity of the State.    (d)    (1)    The term of a member is 2 years.        (2)    The terms of members are staggered as required by the terms provided for members of the Authority on October 1, 2010.        (3)    At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.        (4)    A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.        (5)    A member may not be appointed for more than two consecutive full terms.        (6)    To the extent practicable, the Governor shall fill any vacancy in the membership of the Authority within 60 days after the vacancy.    (e)    On the recommendation of the Authority, the Governor may remove a member for incompetence or misconduct.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  12-108 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 12 - Underground Facilities|Subtitle 1 - Excavation or Demolition Near Underground Facilities|Part II - Maryland Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Authority|Section 12-108 - Chair

    (a)    From among its members, each year the Authority shall select a chair.    (b)    Subject to subsection (c) of this section, the manner of selection of the chair and the chair’s term of office shall be as the Authority determines.    (c)    A member may not serve more than 2 consecutive years as chair of the Authority.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  12-109 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 12 - Underground Facilities|Subtitle 1 - Excavation or Demolition Near Underground Facilities|Part II - Maryland Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Authority|Section 12-109 - Quorum; Meetings; Compensation and Reimbursement

    (a)    Five members of the Authority are a quorum.    (b)    The Authority shall meet at least once every 3 months at the times and places it determines.    (c)    A member of the Authority:        (1)    may not receive compensation as a member of the Authority; and        (2)    is not entitled to reimbursement for expenses.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  12-110 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 12 - Underground Facilities|Subtitle 1 - Excavation or Demolition Near Underground Facilities|Part II - Maryland Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Authority|Section 12-110 - Powers

    (a)    The Authority may:        (1)    adopt bylaws for the conduct of its business;        (2)    adopt a seal;        (3)    maintain an office at a place it designates;        (4)    maintain facilities for the purpose of holding hearings under this subtitle;        (5)    employ a staff;        (6)    accept a grant, a loan, or any other assistance in any form from any public or private source, subject to the provisions of this subtitle;        (7)    enter into contracts and execute the instruments necessary or convenient to carry out this subtitle to accomplish its purposes; and        (8)    do all things necessary or convenient to carry out the powers expressly granted by this subtitle.    (b)    The Authority shall adopt a code of conduct for its members.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  12-111 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 12 - Underground Facilities|Subtitle 1 - Excavation or Demolition Near Underground Facilities|Part II - Maryland Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Authority|Section 12-111 - Funding

    (a)    The Authority may obtain funding for its operational expenses from:        (1)    a federal or State grant;        (2)    filing fees and administrative fees for complaints heard by the Authority as authorized under § 12–112(b)(1) of this subtitle;        (3)    an additional assessment or charge per ticket as authorized under subsection (b) of this section; and        (4)    any other source.    (b)    The Authority may collect an assessment or a charge not exceeding 5 cents per ticket from an owner–member if the assessment or charge:        (1)    is not imposed on a county or a municipal corporation; and        (2)    is approved by a two–thirds vote of all members of the Authority.    (c)    Except as provided in subsections (a)(2) and (b) of this section, the Authority may not impose a charge or assessment against any person, directly or indirectly, to obtain funding for its operational expenses.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  12-112 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 12 - Underground Facilities|Subtitle 1 - Excavation or Demolition Near Underground Facilities|Part II - Maryland Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Authority|Section 12-112 - Enforcement

    (a)    To enforce this subtitle, the Authority may:        (1)    hear complaints for violations of this subtitle;        (2)    after a hearing, assess a civil penalty under § 12–135 of this subtitle; and        (3)    reach a settlement instead of assessing a civil penalty.    (b)    (1)    The Authority may:            (i)    establish reasonable complaint filing fees and administrative fees for complaints heard by the Authority; and            (ii)    use the services of a third party to collect civil penalties.        (2)    If the Authority determines that an individual cannot afford to pay a fee established under paragraph (1)(i) of this subsection, the Authority may exempt the individual wholly or partly from the fee.    (c)    The Authority may not assess a civil penalty against a person unless the person:        (1)    receives reasonable prior notice of the complaint; and        (2)    has an opportunity to be heard under § 12–113 of this subtitle.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  12-113 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 12 - Underground Facilities|Subtitle 1 - Excavation or Demolition Near Underground Facilities|Part II - Maryland Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Authority|Section 12-113 - Hearing Procedure

    (a)    In a hearing before the Authority for an alleged violation of this subtitle:        (1)    all testimony shall be given under oath; and        (2)    the proceedings shall be recorded.    (b)    The chair or a member of the Authority may administer the oath.    (c)    The Authority may compel the attendance of a witness by subpoena.    (d)    (1)    The Authority shall issue its decision in writing, stating the reason for its decision.        (2)    A copy of the decision shall be delivered or mailed to all parties to the complaint proceedings.    (e)    (1)    A person aggrieved by a decision of the Authority may, within 30 days after receiving the decision, request judicial review of the decision by the circuit court.        (2)    In accordance with the judicial review and appeals process under the Administrative Procedure Act, the circuit court shall hear and determine all matters connected with the decision of the Authority for which judicial review is requested.        (3)    (i)    Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, the costs of the judicial review, including the costs of preparing a record and transcript, shall be paid by the party filing the request for judicial review.            (ii)    If the party filing the request for judicial review prevails, the circuit court may require that the costs of the judicial review, including the costs of preparing a record and transcript, be paid by the Authority.        (4)    If the request for judicial review is dismissed, the circuit court shall award attorney’s fees to the Authority unless the Authority waives the award of attorney’s fees.    (f)    (1)    The record of a hearing conducted under this section, including any record of testimony or evidence offered at the hearing, is not admissible in any administrative or civil proceeding involving the same subject matter or the same parties.        (2)    Paragraph (1) of this subsection does not apply to judicial review of the Authority’s decision.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  12-114 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 12 - Underground Facilities|Subtitle 1 - Excavation or Demolition Near Underground Facilities|Part II - Maryland Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Authority|Section 12-114 - Annual Reports

    Beginning January 1, 2012, the Authority shall report each year to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on the activities of the Authority and any recommendations of the Authority.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  12-117 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 12 - Underground Facilities|Subtitle 1 - Excavation or Demolition Near Underground Facilities|Part III - Maryland Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Education and Outreach Fund|Section 12-117 - Fund Established

    (a)    There is a Maryland Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Education and Outreach Fund.    (b)    The purpose of the Fund is to cover the costs of:        (1)    public education and outreach programs; and        (2)    the development of safety procedures to prevent damage to underground facilities.    (c)    The Authority shall hold and administer the Fund.    (d)    The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.    (e)    The Fund consists of:        (1)    civil penalties paid into the Fund under § 12–135 of this subtitle;        (2)    investment earnings of the Fund; and        (3)    any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund.    (f)    (1)    The Fund may be used only for:            (i)    public education and outreach programs for the prevention of damage to underground facilities; and            (ii)    the development of safety procedures for excavation and demolition projects conducted in the area of underground facilities.        (2)    The Authority may make grants to local governments or private entities consistent with the purposes of the Fund.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  12-120 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 12 - Underground Facilities|Subtitle 1 - Excavation or Demolition Near Underground Facilities|Part IV - Excavation and Demolition|Section 12-120 - Effect of Subtitle

    (a)    Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c) of this section, a person that obtains the information required under this subtitle is not excused from:        (1)    performing an excavation or demolition in a careful and prudent manner; and        (2)    liability for damages or injury that results from the excavation or demolition.    (b)    If an underground facility is damaged by a person that fails to comply with this subtitle, the person is deemed negligent and is liable to the owner for the total cost of repair of the underground facility, unless the owner has failed to become an owner–member in accordance with § 12–123 of this subtitle.    (c)    If an underground facility is damaged by a person who is in compliance with this subtitle and the owner has failed to become an owner–member in accordance with § 12–123 of this subtitle:        (1)    the person is not liable to the owner for the cost of repair of the underground facility; and        (2)    the owner is liable for any repairs or restoration of property damaged by the excavation or demolition.    (d)    Subsection (c) of this section may not be construed to interfere with the right of:        (1)    a third party to recover damages arising out of the excavation or demolition from the person or from the owner; or        (2)    the person to seek contribution from an owner for damages sought by a third party under paragraph (1) of this subsection.