Maryland legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Maryland HB958: Natural Gas – Connection and Line Extension – Discounts and Payment Plans
Status: In committee, February 26, 2026
Prohibiting the Public Service Commission from adopting or enforcing a regulation or order that prohibits a public service company from offering a discount or payment plan for the connection or extension of a natural gas line to a customer's property.
What the bill says
A bill ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Natural Gas - Connection and Line Extension - Discounts and Payment Plans FOR the purpose of prohibiting the Public Service Commission from adopting or enforcing a regulation or order that prohibits a public service company from offering a discount or payment plan for the connection or extension of a natural gas line to a customer's property; and generally relating to natural gas distribution. BY adding to Article - Public Utilities Section 7-321 Annotated Code of Maryland (2025 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement).
From the introduced text, February 5, 2026:
A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT concerning Natural Gas - Connection and Line Extension - Discounts and Payment Plans FOR the purpose of prohibiting the Public Service Commission from adopting or enforcing a regulation or order that prohibits a public service company from offering a discount or payment plan for the connection or extension of a natural gas line to a customer's property; and generally relating to natural gas distribution. BY adding to Article - Public Utilities Section 7-321 Annotated Code of Maryland (2025 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: Article - Public Utilities 7-321. THE COMMISSION MAY NOT ADOPT OR ENFORCE ANY REGULATION OR ORDER THAT PROHIBITS A PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY FROM OFFERING A DISCOUNT OR PAYMENT PLAN FOR THE CONNECTION OR EXTENSION OF A NATURAL GAS LINE TO A CUSTOMER'S PROPERTY. SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect October 1, 2026. EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW. [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from exist in g l aw . *hb0958*