reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  4-211 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 4 - Rate Regulation|Subtitle 2 - Rate Setting Proceedings|Section 4-211 - Environmental Remediation Costs

    (a)    (1)    Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, when determining necessary and proper expenses while setting a just and reasonable rate for a gas company, the Commission may 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 if:            (i)    the remediation relates to the contamination of the real property; and            (ii)    the real property is or was used to provide manufactured or natural gas service directly or indirectly to the gas company’s customers or the gas company’s predecessors.        (2)    Environmental remediation costs incurred by a gas company may be included in the gas company’s necessary and proper expenses regardless of whether:            (i)    the real property is currently used and useful in providing gas service; or            (ii)    the gas company owns the real property when the rate is set.        (3)    Environmental remediation costs incurred by a gas company may not be included in the gas company’s necessary and proper expenses if a court of competent jurisdiction determines that the proximate cause of the environmental contamination is a result of the gas company’s failure to comply with a State or federal law, regulation, or order in effect when the contamination occurred.    (b)    The Commission shall balance the interests of a gas company with those of the gas company’s customers when setting the recovery schedule for the environmental remediation costs incurred by the gas company.    (c)    (1)    In this subsection, “financial benefit” includes any monetary gain on the conveyance of real property, or any portion of real property that was subject to environmental remediation, to a third party and any other financial benefit of the property or portion of the property that subsequently inures to the gas company, including income from rentals and tax credits, deductions, or other financial benefits, less any environmental remediation costs relating to the property that the gas company was not allowed to recover from the gas company’s customers.        (2)    If a gas company is allowed to recover environmental remediation costs under this section, any financial benefit accruing to the gas company as a result of the remediation of real property shall be credited to the gas company’s customers in a manner determined by the Commission.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  4-301 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 4 - Rate Regulation|Subtitle 3 - Specific Rate Regimes|Section 4-301 - Telephone Companies -- Alternative Form of Regulation

    (a)    Notwithstanding § 4-101 of this title or any other law to the contrary, the Commission may regulate a telephone company through alternative forms of regulation.    (b)    The Commission may adopt an alternative form of regulation under this section if the Commission finds, after notice and hearing, that the alternative form of regulation:        (1)    protects consumers by, at a minimum:            (i)    producing affordable and reasonably priced basic local exchange service, as defined by the Commission; and            (ii)    ensuring the quality, availability, and reliability of telecommunications services throughout the State;        (2)    encourages the development of competition; and        (3)    is in the public interest.    (c)    An alternative form of regulation may include:        (1)    price regulation;        (2)    revenue regulation;        (3)    ranges of authorized return;        (4)    rate of return;        (5)    categories of services; or        (6)    price indexing.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  4-302 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 4 - Rate Regulation|Subtitle 3 - Specific Rate Regimes|Section 4-302 - Common Carriers

    (a)    (1)    In this subsection, “operating ratio” means the relationship of common carrier expenses to common carrier operating revenues.        (2)    In considering proper revenue under subsection (b)(3) of this section, the Commission shall determine a fair and equitable operating ratio.    (b)    In setting a just and reasonable rate for common carriers, and classifications, regulations, and practices relating to common carriers, the Commission shall consider, among other factors:        (1)    the inherent advantages of transportation by common carriers;        (2)    the need, in the public interest, of adequate and efficient transportation services by common carriers at the lowest cost consistent with furnishing these services; and        (3)    the need of revenues sufficient to enable common carriers to provide these services under honest, economical, and efficient management.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  4-303 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 4 - Rate Regulation|Subtitle 3 - Specific Rate Regimes|Section 4-303 - Rates for Piloted Vessels

    (a)    The Commission shall establish pilotage fees and charges for pilotage services to vessels at a just and reasonable rate.    (b)    The Commission shall give notice and hold a public hearing on each rate proposal as provided in this article.    (c)    In determining a just and reasonable rate, the Commission shall consider:        (1)    the draft, dimensions, and tonnage of the vessel piloted;        (2)    the difficulty and inconvenience of the particular service and the time and skill required to render the service;        (3)    the time required to render pilotage service at other United States ports and the fees and charges for the service;        (4)    the public interest in maintaining efficient and reliable pilotage service; and        (5)    other factors relevant to the determination of a just and reasonable rate.    (d)    A pilot may not demand or receive a different compensation for providing pilotage service than the rate set by the Commission under this section.    (e)    The Commission shall impose an assessment on the Association of Maryland Pilots based on assessment guidelines established for public service companies under § 2-110 of this article. The assessment imposed under this subsection may not be less than $25,000.    (f)    All pilotage fees and charges provided by applicable law shall remain in effect until changed by the Commission.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  4-303.1 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 4 - Rate Regulation|Subtitle 3 - Specific Rate Regimes|Section 4-303.1 - Licensed Docking Masters

    (a)    The Commission shall establish fees and charges for a licensed docking master to provide docking services in the Ports of Maryland at a just and reasonable rate.    (b)    The Commission shall give notice and hold a public hearing on each rate proposal as provided in this article.    (c)    In determining a just and reasonable rate, the Commission shall consider:        (1)    the draft, dimensions, and tonnage of the vessel;        (2)    the difficulty and inconvenience of the particular service and the time and skill required to render the service;        (3)    the time required to render docking service at other United States ports and the fees and charges for the service;        (4)    the public interest in maintaining efficient and reliable docking service; and        (5)    other factors relevant to the determination of a just and reasonable rate.    (d)    A docking master licensed under Title 5.5 of the Business Occupations and Professions Article may not demand or receive a different compensation for providing docking services than the rate set by the Commission under this section.    (e)    The Commission shall impose an assessment on the association based on assessment guidelines established for public service companies under § 2-110 of this article.    (f)    All fees and charges provided by applicable law shall remain in effect until changed by the Commission.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  4-304 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 4 - Rate Regulation|Subtitle 3 - Specific Rate Regimes|Section 4-304 - Interjurisdictional Sewage Disposal Rates

    (a)    In this section, “jurisdiction” means a county or municipal corporation.    (b)    This section does not apply if rates for sewage disposal service are specified in a contract between the jurisdictions that supply and receive the sewage disposal service.    (c)    The Commission shall set only the rates for sewage disposal service that one jurisdiction supplies within the taxable limits of another jurisdiction:        (1)    on written application by the jurisdiction that receives the service; and        (2)    in the same way as rates are set for sewage disposal companies.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  4-305 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 4 - Rate Regulation|Subtitle 3 - Specific Rate Regimes|Section 4-305 - Interjurisdictional Water -- in General

    (a)    In this section, “jurisdiction” means a county, sanitary district, or municipal corporation.    (b)    This section does not affect §§ 35-138, 35-140, 35-141, and 35-145 of the Code of Public Local Laws of Baltimore County.    (c)    The Commission shall set only the rates for water that one jurisdiction supplies within another jurisdiction:        (1)    on written application by the jurisdiction that receives the water; and        (2)    in the same way as rates are set for water companies.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  4-306 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 4 - Rate Regulation|Subtitle 3 - Specific Rate Regimes|Section 4-306 - Interjurisdictional Water -- Municipal Service in Talbot County

    (a)    This section applies to any municipal corporation in Talbot County that supplies water to an area outside the boundaries of the municipal corporation.    (b)    On written application, the Commission may grant the applicant a certificate of authority to establish a service area outside of its boundaries and to supply that service area with water.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  4-307 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 4 - Rate Regulation|Subtitle 3 - Specific Rate Regimes|Section 4-307 - Rate Consolidation of Two or More Water or Sewage Disposal Systems

    (a)    In this section, “rate consolidation” means the use of the same or similar rates or tariff schedules of rates for customers of the same class for two or more water or sewage disposal systems even if the systems are not physically interconnected.    (b)    After notice to customers and holding a public hearing and an evidentiary hearing, the Commission may authorize a rate consolidation of two or more water or sewage disposal systems if:        (1)    the water or sewage disposal systems have common ownership; and        (2)    the rate consolidation is in the public interest.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  4-401 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 4 - Rate Regulation|Subtitle 4 - Fuel Rate Adjustments|Section 4-401 - Sliding Scale

    As it considers necessary, and in accordance with the requirements of § 4-402 of this subtitle, the Commission may allow a gas company or electric company to establish a sliding scale to adjust costs of its fuel, purchased power, or purchased gas.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  4-402 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 4 - Rate Regulation|Subtitle 4 - Fuel Rate Adjustments|Section 4-402 - Fuel Rates -- in General

    (a)    (1)    This section applies to:            (i)    electric fuel rate adjustment clauses;            (ii)    purchased power adjustment clauses; and            (iii)    purchased gas adjustment clauses.        (2)    This section does not apply to a small rural electric cooperative.    (b)    A gas company or electric company that directly passes on to its customers changes in fuel costs, costs of purchased power, or costs of purchased gas shall verify and justify the adjusted costs to the Commission each month.    (c)    The Commission shall order a company to charge off and amortize, by means of a temporary decrease of rates, any charge the Commission finds is unjustified because:        (1)    the company failed to show that the charges were based solely on increased costs of fuel, purchased power, or purchased gas;        (2)    the company failed to follow competitive practices in procuring and purchasing fuel, power, or gas; or        (3)    the company failed to show that its practices in procuring and purchasing fuel were reasonable.    (d)    At least once every 12 months, the Commission shall conduct a public evidentiary hearing on any changes in costs that a company directly passes on to its customers under this section.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  4-501 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 4 - Rate Regulation|Subtitle 5 - Prohibitions|Section 4-501 - Services and Compensation

    (a)    In its utility operations, a public service company may not:        (1)    sell, render services, or furnish a commodity until the public service company files and publishes its rate schedules in accordance with § 4–202 of this title; or        (2)    demand or collect:            (i)    compensation that differs from compensation specified in its rate schedules that are in force at the time of the demand or collection; or            (ii)    a charge that violates this division.    (b)    A person may not assist, allow, or attempt to assist or allow the actions prohibited under this section by any means, including false billing, false classification, false weighing, or false report of weight, even if a public service company or its personnel consents to or connives with the prohibited action.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  4-502 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 4 - Rate Regulation|Subtitle 5 - Prohibitions|Section 4-502 - Excessive Rates -- Recovery Prohibited

    In an action by a public service company to collect a charge, the public service company may not recover any amount if, in the transaction that is the subject of the action, the public service company demanded a rate greater than that lawful under this division when the charge was made.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  5-101 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 5 - Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions|Subtitle 1 - Powers and Duties of the Commission|Section 5-101 - Regulation of Services

    (a)    After providing notice and an opportunity for interested parties to be heard, the Commission may adopt regulations that prescribe standards for safe, adequate, reasonable, and proper service for any class of public service company or gas master meter operator.    (b)    The standards adopted under subsection (a) of this section shall best promote, in the opinion of the Commission, the security or convenience of:        (1)    the public;        (2)    those employed in furnishing services; and        (3)    those to whom services are rendered.    (c)    The Commission may:        (1)    enforce the standards adopted under this section; and        (2)    by order, as the Commission considers necessary, require changes and additions in the service of any public service company or gas master meter operator, including:            (i)    repairs or improvements in plant;            (ii)    increase in motive power; and            (iii)    change in schedule or manner of operations.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  5-102 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 5 - Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions|Subtitle 1 - Powers and Duties of the Commission|Section 5-102 - Tickets, Rates, and Routes

    (a)    The Commission may:        (1)    as it considers reasonable and proper, order a common carrier to issue mileage, excursion, school commuter, passenger commuter, or joint interchangeable mile tickets for all or part of the common carrier’s route in the State; and        (2)    require any two or more common carriers, whose lines form a continuous line of transportation or whose lines could form a continuous line of transportation by means of switch connection, to:            (i)    establish through routes and joint rates;            (ii)    provide for the manner of securing the through routes or paying the joint rates; and            (iii)    apportion the through routes and joint rates between the affected common carriers.    (b)    This section:        (1)    is subject to § 7-208(f) of the Transportation Article; and        (2)    does not limit § 5-101 of this subtitle.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  5-103 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 5 - Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions|Subtitle 1 - Powers and Duties of the Commission|Section 5-103 - Franchises

    (a)    (1)    The Commission may require a public service company to continue any service that the public service company renders to the public under any franchise, right, or permit, after any applicable expiration date.        (2)    Unless authorized by the Commission, a public service company may not discontinue or abandon a service under a franchise, right, or permit.        (3)    The Commission may authorize a public service company to discontinue or abandon a service under a franchise, right, or permit if the Commission finds that the present or future public convenience and necessity allows the discontinuance or abandonment.        (4)    Denial of authorization to discontinue or abandon a service under a franchise, right, or permit does not preclude subsequent reapplication.    (b)    (1)    Whenever the Commission authorizes the abandonment or discontinuance of a franchise, right, or permit, as a whole or in part, that involves any service to or from a suburban community, the Commission:            (i)    shall consider all applications to acquire the franchise, right, or permit to render the service; and            (ii)    shall grant the application to the best qualified applicant.        (2)    An abandoned or discontinued right that extends between mid-city and suburban termini shall continue to extend between the mid-city and suburban termini if the abandoned or discontinued right:            (i)    as acquired by the abandoning or discontinuing public service company or its predecessor, extended from mid-city to suburban termini; or            (ii)    was operated between the mid-city and suburban termini during most of its existence or for an aggregate of at least 15 years.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  5-104 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 5 - Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions|Subtitle 1 - Powers and Duties of the Commission|Section 5-104 - Required Finding; Effect of Authorization

    (a)    The Commission may authorize the acts described in §§ 5-202, 5-203, and 5-205 of this title and § 6-101(a) of this article if it finds that the authorization is consistent with the public convenience and necessity.    (b)    Authority that the Commission grants under §§ 5-202 and 5-203 of this title does not:        (1)    revive a lapsed franchise;        (2)    validate an invalid franchise;        (3)    enlarge or add to the powers and privileges of a franchise; or        (4)    waive a forfeiture.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  5-105 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 5 - Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions|Subtitle 1 - Powers and Duties of the Commission|Section 5-105 - Security Deposits From Elderly Subscribers

    The Commission shall require each gas company, electric company, and telephone company to exempt the dwelling units of subscribing individuals who are at least 60 years old from any cash deposit requirement, if the subscriber does not owe any past-due bill to that public service company.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  5-106 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|Public Utilities|Division I - Public Services and Utilities|Title 5 - Powers, Duties, and Prohibitions|Subtitle 1 - Powers and Duties of the Commission|Section 5-106 - Licenses and Permits

    Before a license or permit may be issued under this article to an employer to engage in an activity in which the employer may employ a covered employee, as defined in § 9-101 of the Labor and Employment Article, the employer shall file with the issuing authority:         (1)    a certificate of compliance with the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Act; or        (2)    the number of a workers’ compensation insurance policy or binder.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  5-201 (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 5-201 - Franchises

    (a)    A public service company may not exercise a franchise granted by law except to the extent authorized by the Commission.    (b)    A public service company may not exercise a franchise unless it files with the Commission:        (1)    a certified copy of its charter; and        (2)    a statement by its president and secretary, signed under oath, that the appropriate local authorities have provided the required consent for the exercise of the franchise.
MD. Public Utilities Code Ann. §  5-202 (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 5-202 - Actions Affecting Franchises

    Without prior authorization of the Commission, a public service company may not:         (1)    assign, lease, or transfer a franchise or a right under a franchise;        (2)    enter into any agreement or contract that materially affects a franchise or a right under a franchise; or        (3)    abandon or discontinue the exercise of a franchise or a right as a whole or in part.