reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  2-112 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 2 - Public Service Commission and People's Counsel|Subtitle 1 - Public Service Commission|Section 2-112 - Jurisdiction; General Powers

    (a)    (1)    Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, to the full extent that the Constitution and laws of the United States allow, the Commission has jurisdiction over each public service company that engages in or operates a utility business in the State and over motor carrier companies as provided in Title 9 of this article.        (2)    Except as provided in Title 5, Subtitle 6, Part VI of the Corporations and Associations Article, the Commission does not have jurisdiction over a member–regulated cooperative as defined in § 5–601 of the Corporations and Associations Article.    (b)    (1)    The Commission has the powers specifically conferred by law.        (2)    The Commission has the implied and incidental powers needed or proper to carry out its functions under this division.    (c)    The powers of the Commission shall be construed liberally.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  2-113 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 2 - Public Service Commission and People's Counsel|Subtitle 1 - Public Service Commission|Section 2-113 - Supervisory and Regulatory Power

    (a)    (1)    The Commission shall:            (i)    supervise and regulate the public service companies subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission to:                1.    ensure their operation in the interest of the public; and                2.    promote adequate, economical, and efficient delivery of utility services in the State without unjust discrimination; and            (ii)    enforce compliance with the requirements of law by public service companies, including requirements with respect to financial condition, capitalization, franchises, plant, manner of operation, rates, and service.        (2)    In supervising and regulating public service companies, the Commission shall consider the public safety, the economy of the State, the conservation of natural resources, and the preservation of environmental quality.    (b)    The powers and duties listed in this title do not limit the scope of the general powers and duties of the Commission provided for by this division.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  2-114 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 2 - Public Service Commission and People's Counsel|Subtitle 1 - Public Service Commission|Section 2-114 - Plant Inspection

    To inspect a plant of a public service company, the Commission may:         (1)    have access to the plant;        (2)    set up and use equipment in the plant as needed; and        (3)    occupy space in the plant as the Commission considers reasonably necessary to inspect or test.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  2-115 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 2 - Public Service Commission and People's Counsel|Subtitle 1 - Public Service Commission|Section 2-115 - Investigations

    (a)    The Commission shall initiate and conduct any investigation necessary to execute its powers or perform its duties under this division.    (b)    The Commission may:        (1)    examine the records of a public service company;        (2)    compel production of the records by subpoena; and        (3)    require verified copies of the records to be filed with the Commission.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  2-116 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 2 - Public Service Commission and People's Counsel|Subtitle 1 - Public Service Commission|Section 2-116 - Legislation

    (a)    (1)    As it considers desirable, the Commission may conduct proceedings on proposed amendments to any law that, in the judgment of the Commission, would affect the public interest in any aspect of the business of a public service company.        (2)    On request of the Governor, the General Assembly, or either house of the General Assembly, the Commission shall conduct proceedings on proposed amendments to any law that, in the judgment of the Commission, would affect the public interest in any aspect of the business of a public service company.    (b)    (1)    The Commission may recommend or prepare legislation on any matter within or related to the jurisdiction of the Commission.        (2)    If a proceeding under this section was held on request, subject to § 2-1257 of the State Government Article, the Commission shall report its conclusions to the person or body who requested the proceeding.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  2-118 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 2 - Public Service Commission and People's Counsel|Subtitle 1 - Public Service Commission|Section 2-118 - Long-Range Service Plans

    (a)    This section does not apply to:        (1)    taxicabs;        (2)    powerboat companies;        (3)    toll bridges;        (4)    towing and lightering companies; or        (5)    small rural electric cooperatives described in § 7-502(a) of this article.    (b)    The Commission shall require each public service company subject to its jurisdiction to formulate and, after approval by the Commission, to implement long-range plans to provide regulated service.    (c)    The Commission shall require each electric company in the State to include in the long-range plan adequate, cost-effective provisions to promote energy conservation to decrease or moderate electric and, as appropriate, natural gas demand for regulated service from customers.    (d)    (1)    The Commission shall review each plan for adequacy under the criteria of § 2-113 of this subtitle, giving attention to the interrelationship of services of other public service companies and to provisions for research and development to ensure adequate service.        (2)    As part of the review, and subject to any applicable Freedom of Information Act, the Commission shall consult with other State units and provide an opportunity for public comment.        (3)    The Commission shall require the revisions to a plan that the Commission considers appropriate unless the authority to review and approve a plan has been granted to another State unit by other law.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  2-119 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 2 - Public Service Commission and People's Counsel|Subtitle 1 - Public Service Commission|Section 2-119 - Interstate Commerce

    As the interests of the people of this State are affected, the Commission:         (1)    shall study the rates and service of public service companies in interstate commerce beyond the jurisdiction of the Commission; and        (2)    may apply to and appear before appropriate federal units to protect those interests.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  2-120 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 2 - Public Service Commission and People's Counsel|Subtitle 1 - Public Service Commission|Section 2-120 - Joint Action

    Under interstate compacts or agreements or under the concurrent power of states to regulate interstate commerce, or as an agency of the federal government, or otherwise, the Commission may act jointly or concurrently with an official board or commission of the United States or a state in a proceeding relating to the regulation of a public service company.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  2-121 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 2 - Public Service Commission and People's Counsel|Subtitle 1 - Public Service Commission|Section 2-121 - Regulations

    The Commission may adopt reasonable regulations as necessary to carry out any law that relates to the Commission.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  2-122 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 2 - Public Service Commission and People's Counsel|Subtitle 1 - Public Service Commission|Section 2-122 - Reports

    (a)    (1)    On or before the third Wednesday of March of each year, the Commission shall publish an annual report that summarizes the activities of the Commission that includes:            (i)    a summary of each regulation, opinion, or order that the Commission adopted, entered, or passed during the year; and            (ii)    any other information that the Commission considers of value.        (2)    The Commission shall send a copy of the report to the Governor and, subject to § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, to the General Assembly.    (b)    Each year, the Commission shall publish a report that includes:        (1)    the progress of the residential conservation service plan;        (2)    Commission activities to moderate peak electric demand; and        (3)    energy conservation measures taken by gas companies and electric companies in the State to reduce electrical and natural gas demand.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  2-123 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 2 - Public Service Commission and People's Counsel|Subtitle 1 - Public Service Commission|Section 2-123 - Fees

    (a)    In accordance with this section, the Commission may charge reasonable and nondiscriminatory fees for the filing of documents with the Commission and for other services performed by the Commission.    (b)    Actions for which the Commission may charge a fee include:        (1)    an initial tariff or tariff change;        (2)    a certificate of public convenience and necessity;        (3)    an application to provide or abandon service;        (4)    a preparation of any record in appeal;        (5)    a certification of any document;        (6)    an application or petition to increase or decrease rates;        (7)    an annual report;        (8)    a copy of papers, testimony, microfiche, records, and computer printouts; and        (9)    any other filing or service for which the Commission reasonably determines that a fee is required.    (c)    (1)    In determining the amount of a fee to be charged for a filing or other service performed by the Commission, the Commission shall consider the estimated expense associated with the filing or other service.        (2)    (i)    The Commission shall waive a fee charged under this section for a filing by a unit of State government or for a service performed by the Commission for a unit of State government.            (ii)    The Commission may waive a fee charged under this section if the Commission determines that the waiver is in the public interest.    (d)    A document for which a filing fee is required may be received by the Commission at any time, but may not be considered filed until the filing fee has been paid.    (e)    The Commission shall deposit all fees collected under this section in the Public Utility Regulation Fund.    (f)    The Commission shall adopt regulations to set reasonable and nondiscriminatory fees for filing and other services performed by the Commission.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  2-201 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 2 - Public Service Commission and People's Counsel|Subtitle 2 - People's Counsel|Section 2-201 - "Residential and Noncommercial Users" Defined

    In this subtitle, “residential and noncommercial users” means:         (1)    residential users of gas, electricity, telephones, or water and sewerage; and        (2)    noncommercial users of other services regulated by the Commission.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  2-202 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 2 - Public Service Commission and People's Counsel|Subtitle 2 - People's Counsel|Section 2-202 - Appointment

    (a)    With the advice and consent of the Senate, the Attorney General shall appoint the People’s Counsel.    (b)    (1)    The term of the People’s Counsel is 5 years and begins on July 1.        (2)    At the end of a term, the People’s Counsel continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.        (3)    A People’s Counsel who is appointed after a term has begun serves for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.    (c)    The People’s Counsel shall have been admitted to practice law in the State.    (d)    Before taking office, the People’s Counsel shall take the oath required by Article I, § 9 of the Maryland Constitution.    (e)    The People’s Counsel shall devote full time to the duties of office.    (f)    The People’s Counsel is entitled to a salary of at least $35,000 a year as provided in the State budget.    (g)    The Attorney General may remove the People’s Counsel for good cause shown after notice and an opportunity to be heard.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  2-203 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 2 - Public Service Commission and People's Counsel|Subtitle 2 - People's Counsel|Section 2-203 - Staff

    (a)    The State budget shall provide sufficient money for the Office of People’s Counsel to hire necessary staff in addition to the staff assistance that is provided under § 2-205(c)(2) of this subtitle.    (b)    (1)    Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection or otherwise by law, all personnel of the Office of People’s Counsel are subject to the provisions of the State Personnel and Pensions Article.        (2)    The following are in the executive service, management service, or are special appointments in the State Personnel Management System:            (i)    the People’s Counsel;            (ii)    the deputy People’s Counsel; and            (iii)    attorneys that are in the management service or are special appointments.    (c)    The compensation of the following personnel shall be determined by the People’s Counsel and, if possible, in accordance with the State pay plan:        (1)    the deputy People’s Counsel;        (2)    attorneys that are:            (i)    in the management service; or            (ii)    special appointments; and        (3)    all positions in management, professional and technical classifications unique to the Office of People’s Counsel.    (d)    (1)    At least 45 days before the effective date of the change, the People’s Counsel shall submit to the Secretary of Budget and Management each change to salary plans that involves increases or decreases in salary ranges other than those associated with routine reclassifications and promotions or general salary increases approved by the General Assembly.        (2)    Reportable changes include creation or abolition of classes, regrading the classes from one established range to another, changes in salary guidelines to administer the pay schedules, or creation of new pay schedules or ranges.        (3)    The Secretary of Budget and Management shall:            (i)    review the proposed changes; and            (ii)    at least 15 days before the effective date of the proposed changes, advise the People’s Counsel whether the changes would have an adverse effect on comparable State jobs.        (4)    Failure of the Secretary to respond in a timely manner is not considered a statement of adverse effect.    (e)    On or before January 31 of each year, the People’s Counsel shall report to the Secretary of Budget and Management and, subject to § 2-1257 of the State Government Article, to the General Assembly setting forth all personnel positions, classifications, and salaries in the Office of People’s Counsel as of the end of the preceding calendar year.    (f)    The Office of People’s Counsel may retain as necessary for a particular matter or hire experts in the field of utility regulation, including cost of capital experts, rate design experts, accountants, economists, engineers, transportation specialists, and lawyers.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  2-204 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 2 - Public Service Commission and People's Counsel|Subtitle 2 - People's Counsel|Section 2-204 - Duties

    (a)    (1)    The Office of People’s Counsel shall evaluate each matter pending before the Commission to determine if the interests of residential and noncommercial users are affected.        (2)    If the Office of People’s Counsel considers the interest of residential and noncommercial users to be affected, the Office of People’s Counsel shall appear before the Commission and courts on behalf of residential and noncommercial users in each matter or proceeding over which the Commission has original jurisdiction, including a proceeding on the rates, service, or practices of a public service company or on a violation of this division.        (3)    As the Office of People’s Counsel considers necessary, the Office of People’s Counsel shall conduct investigations and request the Commission to initiate proceedings to protect the interests of residential and noncommercial users.    (b)    The People’s Counsel shall administer and operate the Office of People’s Counsel.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  2-205 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 2 - Public Service Commission and People's Counsel|Subtitle 2 - People's Counsel|Section 2-205 - Powers

    (a)    In appearances before the Commission and courts on behalf of residential and noncommercial users, the Office of People’s Counsel has the rights of counsel for a party to the proceeding, including those rights specified in § 3-107 of this article.    (b)    The Office of People’s Counsel may appear before any federal or State unit to protect the interests of residential and noncommercial users.    (c)    (1)    Except as otherwise provided in this article and consistent with any applicable Freedom of Information Act, the Office of People’s Counsel shall have full access to the Commission’s records and shall have the benefit of all other facilities or information of the Commission.        (2)    The Office of People’s Counsel is entitled to the assistance of the Commission’s staff, if the staff determines that the assistance is consistent with the staff’s responsibilities and if the staff and the Office of People’s Counsel agree that the assistance, in a particular matter, is consistent with their respective interests.    (d)    If the Office of People’s Counsel considers that the legislation would affect the interests of residential and noncommercial users, the Office of People’s Counsel may recommend to the General Assembly legislation on any matter related to the Commission’s jurisdiction.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  2-206 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 2 - Public Service Commission and People's Counsel|Subtitle 2 - People's Counsel|Section 2-206 - Budget Shortfall

    If the budget for the Office of People’s Counsel is insufficient to allow it to perform its duties, the Office of People’s Counsel may apply to the Board of Public Works for additional money from the General Emergency Fund.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  2-301 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 2 - Public Service Commission and People's Counsel|Subtitle 3 - Ethics|Section 2-301 - "Relative" Defined

    In this subtitle, “relative” means an individual related by blood or marriage.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  2-302 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 2 - Public Service Commission and People's Counsel|Subtitle 3 - Ethics|Section 2-302 - Scope of Subtitle

    This subtitle applies to commissioners, the General Counsel, the People’s Counsel, officers and employees of the Office of People’s Counsel, and the officers and employees of the Commission.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  2-303 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 2 - Public Service Commission and People's Counsel|Subtitle 3 - Ethics|Section 2-303 - Relationship With Public Service Company

    (a)    This section applies to each individual subject to § 2–302 of this subtitle and to:        (1)    each spouse, dependent child, parent, brother, or sister of each commissioner, the People’s Counsel, the General Counsel, and each public utility law judge; and        (2)    each spouse or dependent child of each other officer or employee of the Commission or Office of People’s Counsel.    (b)    An individual subject to this section may not:        (1)    hold an official relation to or connection with a public service company; or        (2)    have a pecuniary interest in a public service company as the holder of stock or other securities or otherwise.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  2-304 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 2 - Public Service Commission and People's Counsel|Subtitle 3 - Ethics|Section 2-304 - Holding Incompatible Position

    An individual subject to § 2-302 of this subtitle may not hold an office or position or engage in a business or avocation that is incompatible with the duties of office or service with the Commission or Office of People’s Counsel.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  2-305 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 2 - Public Service Commission and People's Counsel|Subtitle 3 - Ethics|Section 2-305 - Soliciting Appointment

    An individual subject to § 2-302 of this subtitle may not solicit, suggest, request, or recommend directly or indirectly to a public service company that a person be appointed to an office or place of employment.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  2-306 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 2 - Public Service Commission and People's Counsel|Subtitle 3 - Ethics|Section 2-306 - Activities After Service

    (a)    Until at least 2 years have passed after leaving service as a commissioner or the People’s Counsel, an individual may not:        (1)    represent a public service company before the Commission;        (2)    appear before the Commission on behalf of a party to a Commission proceeding; or        (3)    appear before the Commission on a matter within the jurisdiction of the Commission.    (b)    Until at least 1 year has passed after leaving service with the Commission as the General Counsel or a public utility law judge, an individual may not:        (1)    represent a public service company before the Commission;        (2)    appear before the Commission on behalf of a party to a Commission proceeding; or        (3)    appear before the Commission on a matter within the jurisdiction of the Commission.    (c)    Until at least 1 year has passed after leaving service with the Commission as a commissioner, an individual may not receive financial benefit that is not otherwise generally available to the public as a customer of a public service company from:        (1)    a public service company that is subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission; or        (2)    a person that directly or indirectly, or through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with a public service company that is subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission.