Md. Code, Public Utilities, Title 13

Md. Code, Public Utilities, Title 13
in effect

Md. Code, Public Utilities § 13-101

(a) This section does not apply to a violation of the following provisions of this article: (1) Title 5, Subtitle 4; (2) Title 7, Subtitle 1; (3) Title 8, Subtitles 1 and 3; and (4) Title 9, Subtitle 3. (b) A person may not fail, neglect, or refuse to comply with any provision of this division or any effective and outstanding direction, ruling, order, rule, regulation, or decision of the Commission. (c) An individual who knowingly violates or knowingly aids or abets a public service company in the violation of subsection (b) of this section or any provision of this division: (1) is guilty of a misdemeanor; and (2) unless a different punishment is specifically provided by law, on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000 for a first offense and not exceeding $5,000 for each additional or subsequent offense.

Md. Code, Public Utilities § 13-201

(a) This section does not apply to a violation of the following provisions of this article: (1) Title 5, Subtitle 4; (2) Title 7, Subtitle 1; (3) § 7–213 as it applies to electric cooperatives; (4) Title 8, Subtitles 1 and 3; (5) Title 9, Subtitle 3; and (6) Title 8, Subtitle 4. (b) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Commission may impose a civil penalty not exceeding $25,000 against a person who violates a provision of this division, or an effective and outstanding direction, ruling, order, rule, or regulation of the Commission. (2) The civil penalty that the Commission may impose on a common carrier for each violation may not exceed $2,500. (c) (1) A civil penalty may be imposed in addition to any other penalty authorized by this division. (2) Each violation is a separate offense. (3) Each day or part of a day the violation continues is a separate offense. (d) The Commission shall determine the amount of any civil penalty after considering: (1) the number of previous violations of any provision of this article; (2) the gravity of the current violation; (3) the good faith efforts of the violator in attempting to achieve compliance after notification of the violation; and (4) any other matter that the Commission considers appropriate and relevant. (e) (1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, a civil penalty collected under this section shall be paid into the Resiliency Hub Grant Program Fund established under § 9–2011 of the State Government Article. (2) A civil penalty assessed for a violation of a service quality and reliability standard under § 7–213 of this article shall be paid into the Electric Reliability Remediation Fund under § 7–213(j) of this article. (3) A civil penalty assessed for a violation of § 7–317, § 7–318, § 7–505(b)(7), § 7–507, § 7–603, § 7–603.1, § 7–604, § 7–606, or § 7–707 of this article, or a rule, an order, or a regulation adopted under any of those sections, shall be paid into the Education and Protection Fund under § 7–310 of this article.

Md. Code, Public Utilities § 13-202

(a) In this section, “safety violation” means a condition or activity likely to cause injury or harm to an individual or property. (b) This section does not apply to a safety violation by a gas company that is subject to § 13–203 of this subtitle. (c) (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a public service company that violates a provision of this division that relates to safety is subject to a civil penalty not exceeding $25,000 for each violation for each day that the violation persists. (2) For a common carrier, the maximum civil penalty may not exceed $500 for each violation or related series of violations stemming from a single safety inspection. (d) In determining the amount of a civil penalty imposed under this section, the Commission shall consider the: (1) appropriateness of the penalty to the size of the public service company; (2) number of previous violations of this article by the public service company; (3) gravity of the current violation; and (4) good faith of the public service company in attempting to achieve compliance after notification of the violation. (e) The public service company involved may request reconsideration of a penalty imposed under this section within 30 days after the date of notification of the determination.

Md. Code, Public Utilities § 13-203

(a) A gas company or gas master meter operator that violates any of the Commission’s standards of safe service or other regulation related to safety adopted under § 5-101 of this article is subject to a civil penalty determined by the Commission that does not exceed the maximum penalties provided in Title 49, Chapter 601 of the U.S. Code (Federal Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act): (1) for each violation for each day or part of a day that the violation continues; and (2) for a related series of violations. (b) Within 30 days after the date of notification of the determination, the gas company or gas master meter operator involved may request reconsideration to obtain a compromise. (c) In determining the amount of a civil penalty or compromise, the Commission shall consider the: (1) appropriateness of the penalty to the size of the gas company or gas master meter operator; (2) gravity of the current violation; and (3) good faith of the gas company or gas master meter operator in attempting to achieve compliance after notification of the violation. (d) The amount of the penalty, when finally determined or agreed on in compromise, may be: (1) deducted from any amount that the State owes to the gas company or gas master meter operator; or (2) recovered in a civil action in State court.

Md. Code, Public Utilities § 13-204

Personnel of the Commission or Office of People’s Counsel who are convicted of violating Title 2, Subtitle 3 of this article shall, in addition to any other penalties, be removed or discharged from office.

Md. Code, Public Utilities § 13-205

A public service company is subject to a fine of $100 for each day beyond 30 days after the deadline set by the Commission that the public service company fails to: (1) file its annual report with the Commission in accordance with Title 6, Subtitle 2 of this article; (2) make a report or furnish information that the Commission requests or requires; or (3) fails to give a full, specific, and responsive answer to any question reasonably directed to it by the Commission.

Md. Code, Public Utilities § 13-206

An individual who violates a provision of this division concerning for–hire driving services is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $50 for a first offense and not exceeding $100 for each additional or subsequent offense.

Md. Code, Public Utilities § 13-208

(a) In addition to any otherwise available remedy, the Commission may summarily order a person who is subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission to cease and desist from an act or practice if the Commission determines from specific facts shown by affidavit or other statement made under oath that: (1) the person has engaged in an act or practice that constitutes a violation of any provision of this division or any order or regulation adopted under this division that directly concerns consumer protection or public safety; (2) immediate, substantial, and irreparable harm will result before the affected person could have an opportunity to respond to the facts alleged; (3) the need for the immediate issuance of a summary cease and desist order outweighs the affected person’s right to receive notice and be heard before issuance of the order; and (4) issuance of the summary cease and desist order is in the public interest. (b) A summary cease and desist order issued by the Commission under subsection (a) of this section shall: (1) be personally and promptly served on the affected person or the person’s legal representative; (2) be effective only after it is served under item (1) of this subsection; (3) identify the date and hour of issuance; (4) define the harm that the Commission finds will result if the summary cease and desist order is not issued; (5) state the basis for the Commission’s finding that the harm will be immediate, substantial, and irreparable; (6) state that any person affected by the summary cease and desist order may immediately apply to have the order modified or vacated by the Commission; (7) state that the Commission may modify or vacate the summary cease and desist order as requested or may set the matter for hearing under subsection (c) of this section; and (8) provide notice of the opportunity for an evidentiary hearing to determine whether the summary cease and desist order should be modified, vacated, or entered as final. (c) (1) Within 15 calendar days after the date and hour of successful service of the summary cease and desist order, the affected person may file a request for an evidentiary hearing with the Commission on the propriety of a final order. (2) If the Commission receives a request for an evidentiary hearing on the propriety of a final order from the affected person within the time limit in paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Commission shall complete the evidentiary hearing within 15 calendar days after the date and hour when the request is received. (3) Within 48 hours after completing the evidentiary hearing requested under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Commission shall issue a final order in which it shall determine whether the affected person has engaged in an act or practice that is in violation of any provision of this division or any order or regulation adopted under this division that directly concerns consumer protection or public safety. (4) If the Commission does not receive a request for an evidentiary hearing on the propriety of a final order from the affected person within the time limit in paragraph (1) of this subsection, the summary cease and desist order shall become final. (d) If the Commission fails to comply with subsection (c)(2) or (3) of this section, the summary cease and desist order is void from the time of issuance. (e) The Commission may not impose a penalty for a violation of a summary cease and desist order that is void under subsection (d) of this section.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatutesFetched: 10/16/2026