MD HB984

Electric cooperatives are now explicitly included under Public Service Commission rate proceeding rules that previously applied only to smaller public service companies (those with less than 3% of total state utility revenues)

When the Commission suspends a proposed rate increase from an electric cooperative, it must promptly determine if additional revenues are needed to maintain the cooperative's existing debt service coverage ratio from the previous base rate proceeding

Electric cooperatives must conduct a public hearing in accordance with § 3-104 requirements when proposing rate changes, in addition to publishing newspaper advertisements

The Commission must issue a final order on revenue requirements within 90 days of a rate filing, and any further proceedings to modify rate structure or lower the debt service coverage ratio must conclude within 120 days after that order

Effective October 1, 2025