HB 886
Department of Legislative Services
Maryland General Assembly
2020 Session
FISCAL AND POLICY NOTE
First Reader
House Bill 886 (Delegate Howard, et al.)
Economic Matters
Electric Companies - Billing Information
This bill requires an electric company, upon request of a retail electricity customer, to
provide the customer the historic usage and billing information for the customer’s account
for at least the 12 preceding months. The information must be accessible to the customer
as (1) information on the electric company’s website; (2) information provided
electronically in a searchable PDF format; or (3) a physical document sent to the customer
at the customer’s bill address.
Fiscal Summary
State Effect: None.
Local Effect: The bill does not materially affect local government finances or operations.
Small Business Effect: None.
Analysis
Current Law: Electric companies are not required to provide the specified information in
the specified formats under State law. However, Public Service Commission regulations
require electric companies to retain customer billing records for at least three years and
specify information that must be included in customer bill forms, including:
 readings of all meters used for billing purposes at the end of the period for which
the bill is rendered;
 the meter reading date;
 the applicable rate schedule, including any seasonal or time differential in base rates
for the billing period in which the differential is applicable, or identification of the
applicable rate schedule;
 information concerning the customer’s electricity usage during the same billing
period in the prior year; and
 the company’s appropriate business address and telephone number for billing
inquiries.
Background: The Electric Customer Choice and Competition Act of 1999 facilitated the
restructuring of the electric utility industry in Maryland. The resulting system of customer
choice allows the customer to purchase electricity from a competitive supplier or to
continue receiving electricity under standard offer service (SOS). Default SOS electric
service is provided by customer’s electric company (e.g., Baltimore Gas and Electric
Company or Pepco). Competitive electric supply is provided by competitive electricity
suppliers. In either case, the electric company delivers the electricity and recovers the costs
for delivery through distribution rates.
Additional Information
Prior Introductions: None.
Designated Cross File: None.
Information Source(s): Public Service Commission; Office of People’s Counsel;
Department of Legislative Services
Fiscal Note History: First Reader - February 12, 2020
mr/lgc
Analysis by: Stephen M. Ross Direct Inquiries to:
(410) 946-5510
(301) 970-5510
HB 886/ Page 2


Statutes affected:
Text - First - Electric Companies - Billing Information: 7-311 Public Utilities