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HB 1535

Electric Companies and Gas Companies - Customer Bill Surcharge - Repeal

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Lauren Arikan and 6 co-sponsors

HB 1535 repeals a customer surcharge on electric and gas utility bills in Maryland, reducing charges on consumer and business energy bills.

First Reading House Rules and Executive Nominations
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Bill Summary · HB 1535

Legislative bill overview

HB 1535 seeks to repeal a customer bill surcharge imposed by electric and gas companies in Maryland. The bill would eliminate an existing fee structure that utilities are currently authorized to add to customer bills. This represents a direct reduction in what Maryland residents and businesses pay on their monthly utility statements.

Why is this important

Utility surcharges directly affect household budgets and business operating costs across the state. Removing surcharges could lower energy bills for all Maryland electric and gas customers, though the specific surcharge amount repealed will determine the practical impact. The change also signals a shift in state policy regarding utility regulation and cost-sharing mechanisms.

Potential points of contention

  • Utility revenue impact: Electric and gas companies may argue that surcharges fund necessary infrastructure improvements, system maintenance, or regulatory compliance costs, and repeal could delay critical upgrades
  • Cost allocation: Removing surcharges could shift costs onto general rate bases, potentially affecting customer rates differently across consumer groups or requiring utilities to seek alternative rate increases
  • Lack of specificity in available information: Without details on which surcharge is targeted, why it was implemented, or its current revenue, full assessment of trade-offs is limited

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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