(a) In this section, "Fund" means the Education and Protection Fund. (b) There is an Education and Protection Fund. (c) The purpose of the Fund is to provide resources to improve the Commission's ability to: (1) educate customers on: (i) retail electric and gas choice; and (ii) energy choices that help meet the State's climate commitments under § 7-319 of this subtitle and § 2-1204.2 of the Environment Article; (2) protect customers from unfair, false, misleading, or deceptive practices by electricity suppliers, energy salespersons, energy vendors, or gas suppliers; and (3) develop a training and educational program for electricity suppliers, gas suppliers, energy salespersons, and energy vendors as provided under § 7-311 of this subtitle. (d) The Commission shall administer the Fund. (e) (1) The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7- 302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article. (2) The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund. (f) The Fund consists of: (1) revenue distributed to the Fund under § 13-201(e)(3) of this article; (2) money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund; and (3) any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund. (g) The Fund may be used only to: (1) educate retail electric or gas customers on retail choice and energy choices that help to meet the State's climate commitments under § 7-319 of this subtitle and § 2-1204.2 of the Environment Article; (2) improve customer protections for retail electric or gas customers; and (3) develop a training and educational program for electricity suppliers, gas suppliers, energy salespersons, and energy vendors as provided under § 7-311 of this subtitle. (h) (1) The State Treasurer shall invest the money of the Fund in the same manner as other State money may be invested. (2) Any investment earnings of the Fund shall be credited to the General Fund of the State. (i) Expenditures from the Fund may be made only in accordance with the State budget.
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