reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  5-203 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 5 - Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions|Subtitle 2 - Powers of Public Service Companies|Section 5-203 - Securities

    (a)    This section does not apply to a merger of or transfer of stock or other ownership interest between:        (1)    a telephone company; and        (2)    another entity with a greater than 50% ownership in common with the telephone company.    (b)    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.    (c)    (1)    This subsection applies to corporations that operate in Maryland.        (2)    Except as provided in paragraph (5) of this subsection, without prior authorization of the Commission, a public service company may not:            (i)    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            (ii)    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.        (3)    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.        (4)    The Commission shall take action on an application for authorization under this section within a reasonable time after receipt.        (5)    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:            (i)    provides prior written notice to the Commission of the transaction; and            (ii)    obtains approval of the transaction from the entity in another state that regulates the gas company, electric company, or telephone company.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  5-204 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 5 - Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions|Subtitle 2 - Powers of Public Service Companies|Section 5-204 - Construction of Water and Sewage Disposal Systems

    (a)    This section does not apply to:        (1)    a municipal corporation, sanitary district, or other unit of government;        (2)    an individual, for the construction of a water system or sewage disposal system for the individual’s personal or private use; or        (3)    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.    (b)    Without the prior authorization of the Commission, a person may not construct a water system or sewage disposal system for public use.    (c)    (1)    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.        (2)    In determining whether the proposed construction of the water system or sewage disposal system is in the public interest, the Commission shall consider:            (i)    the financing plans for the proposed construction; and            (ii)    other pertinent facts and circumstances.    (d)    An applicant for authorization to construct a water system or sewage disposal system:        (1)    shall fully disclose to the Commission the financing plans for the construction; and        (2)    has the burden of proof to satisfy the Commission that the construction is in the public interest.    (e)    (1)    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.        (2)    An order of revocation may be appealed in accordance with § 3-204 of this article.        (3)    Subject to action of the Commission under § 3-205 of this article, the filing of an appeal does not stay an order of revocation.        (4)    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:            (i)    the Commission; or            (ii)    the final disposition of an appeal from the order of revocation.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  5-205 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 5 - Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions|Subtitle 2 - Powers of Public Service Companies|Section 5-205 - Controlling Interests in Water and Sewage Disposal Companies

    (a)    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.    (b)    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.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  5-301 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 5 - Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions|Subtitle 3 - Duties of Public Service Companies|Section 5-301 - In General

    (a)    Except as otherwise provided by law, this section does not apply to a requirement or violation of:        (1)    Subtitle 4 of this title;        (2)    Title 7, Subtitle 1 of this article;        (3)    Title 8, Subtitles 1 and 3 of this article; or        (4)    Title 9, Subtitle 3 of this article.    (b)    A public service company:        (1)    shall comply fully with the requirements of this division; and        (2)    may not violate any provision of this division.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  5-302 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 5 - Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions|Subtitle 3 - Duties of Public Service Companies|Section 5-302 - Reports and Other Documents

    (a)    Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a public service company shall file with the Commission:        (1)    an annual report for the preceding calendar year; and        (2)    special reports, information, contracts, records, and copies as required by the Commission.    (b)    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:        (1)    a common carrier; or        (2)    a telephone company whose rates are not regulated by the Commission under Title 4 of this article.    (c)    The Commission may require a public service company that files documents under subsection (a) of this section to file the documents under oath.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  5-303 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 5 - Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions|Subtitle 3 - Duties of Public Service Companies|Section 5-303 - Standards of Service

    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.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  5-304 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 5 - Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions|Subtitle 3 - Duties of Public Service Companies|Section 5-304 - Accidents

    (a)    (1)    A public service company shall notify the Commission of any accident involving the public service company that results in:            (i)    personal injury requiring hospitalization;            (ii)    property damage exceeding $50,000; or            (iii)    loss of life.        (2)    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.    (b)    The notice:        (1)    shall be in a form that the Commission prescribes; and        (2)    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.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  5-401 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 5 - Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions|Subtitle 4 - Franchises and Condemnation|Section 5-401 - Scope of Subtitle

    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.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  5-402 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 5 - Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions|Subtitle 4 - Franchises and Condemnation|Section 5-402 - Limitations

    (a)    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.    (b)    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.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  5-403 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 5 - Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions|Subtitle 4 - Franchises and Condemnation|Section 5-403 - Gas Companies

    (a)    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.    (b)    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.    (c)    (1)    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:            (i)    1.    transmits gas directly to local consumers in the State along the corporation’s proposed rights-of-way; and                2.    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            (ii)    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.        (2)    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:            (i)    a pipeline or appurtenances to a pipeline in use on or before June 1, 1931;            (ii)    any incidental relocations of a pipeline or appurtenances to a pipeline in use on or before June 1, 1931; or            (iii)    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.    (d)    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.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  5-405 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 5 - Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions|Subtitle 4 - Franchises and Condemnation|Section 5-405 - Railroad Companies -- in General

    (a)    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.    (b)    The company may acquire the property by condemnation under Title 12 of the Real Property Article if:        (1)    the company cannot agree with the owner of the property; or        (2)    an owner:            (i)    is a minor, is adjudged to be mentally incompetent, or is under any other legal disability to contract; or            (ii)    is absent from the county in which the property is located when the company wants the property.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  5-406 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 5 - Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions|Subtitle 4 - Franchises and Condemnation|Section 5-406 - Railroad Companies -- Change in Location or Grade

    (a)    (1)    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:            (i)    inconvenience to public travel;            (ii)    dangerous or difficult curves or grades; or            (iii)    unsafe or unsubstantial grounds or foundations.        (2)    A change of location or grade under this section shall follow the general route of the existing road.        (3)    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.    (b)    (1)    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.        (2)    The amount of damages determined shall be paid to the owner or deposited into court.        (3)    An owner shall claim damages within:            (i)    30 days after actual notice of the intended change has been given to the owner, if the owner resides on the premises; or            (ii)    60 days after publication of notice in a newspaper in general circulation in the county, if the owner is a nonresident.    (c)    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.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  5-407 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 5 - Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions|Subtitle 4 - Franchises and Condemnation|Section 5-407 - Railroad Companies -- Public Way

    (a)    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.    (b)    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.    (c)    (1)    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.        (2)    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.    (d)    A railroad company may not pass through Baltimore City without the consent of the Mayor and City Council.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  5-408 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 5 - Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions|Subtitle 4 - Franchises and Condemnation|Section 5-408 - Railroad Companies -- Private Way

    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.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  5-409 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 5 - Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions|Subtitle 4 - Franchises and Condemnation|Section 5-409 - Electric or Cable Operated Railroads

    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.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  5-410 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 5 - Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions|Subtitle 4 - Franchises and Condemnation|Section 5-410 - Telephone and Telegraph Companies

    (a)    This section applies to:        (1)    a telegraph company that has its principal office in the State;        (2)    a telephone company that has its principal office in the State;        (3)    a corporation formed as a Class 13 corporation under Article 23, § 28 of the Code of 1904; and        (4)    a telephone company that owns lines and provides local exchange or interexchange service in the State with the approval of the Commission.    (b)    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:        (1)    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        (2)    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.    (c)    (1)    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.        (2)    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.    (d)    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.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  5-411 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 5 - Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions|Subtitle 4 - Franchises and Condemnation|Section 5-411 - Water Companies

    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:         (1)    the company cannot agree with the owner of the land or water rights; or        (2)    an owner:            (i)    is a minor, is adjudged to be mentally incompetent, or is under any other legal disability to contract; or            (ii)    when the company needs the land or water rights, is absent from the county or city in which the property is located.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  5-501 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 5 - Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions|Subtitle 5 - Miscellaneous|Section 5-501 - Surviving Spouse of Utility Account Holder -- Protections

    (a)    (1)    In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.        (2)    “Account holder” means the individual in whose name a utility account is established.        (3)    “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.    (b)    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:        (1)    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        (2)    transfer the account to the surviving spouse.    (c)    Notwithstanding subsection (b)(1) of this section, a utility may:        (1)    in accordance with any other applicable law, impose a fee or penalty or terminate an account for nonpayment; or        (2)    at the request of the surviving spouse, close the account.