MD HB950

Counties and municipalities may acquire street lighting equipment from electric companies through purchase or condemnation, then convert to a customer-owned street lighting tariff and contract independently for maintenance or electricity supply.

Electric companies must file customer-owned street lighting tariffs with the Public Service Commission by October 1, 2026, covering distribution service costs and make-ready work, with billing based on kilowatt-hour usage per lumen rating or wattage.

Acquiring jurisdictions pay the net book value of equipment (calculated using FERC accounting methods) plus make-ready work costs, and must notify the electric company of inventory changes within 30 days.

Disputes over equipment valuation or acquisition terms may be submitted to the Public Service Commission for resolution; condemnation proceedings require a jury to determine net book value.

Electric companies cannot require additional indemnifications or standards beyond what they currently maintain, and the law does not apply to municipal electric utilities or joint-use utility poles.