In this subtitle, “unit” means an officer or unit that is authorized by law to: adopt regulations subject to Subtitle 1 of this title; or adjudicate contested cases subject to Subtitle 2 of this title.

This subtitle does not apply to: the Governor; the Department of Assessments and Taxation; the Board of Appeals of the Maryland Department of Labor; the Insurance Administration; the Maryland Parole Commission of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services; the Public Service Commission; the Maryland Tax Court; or the State Workers’ Compensation Commission. If the Insurance Commissioner states in writing that, as to a particular matter, the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund need not comply with this subtitle, this subtitle does not apply to the Fund with respect to that matter.

A political subdivision of the State or an instrumentality of a political subdivision is entitled, to the same extent as other legal entities, to be an interested person, party, or petitioner in a matter under this subtitle, including an appeal.

An interested person may submit to a unit a petition for a declaratory ruling with respect to the manner in which the unit would apply a regulation or order of the unit or a statute that the unit enforces to a person or property on the facts set forth in the petition. Each unit shall adopt regulations that set: the form for a petition under this section; and procedures for the submission, consideration, and disposition of the petition.

A unit may issue a declaratory ruling. A declaratory ruling binds the unit and the petitioner on the facts set forth in the petition. A declaratory ruling under this section is subject to review in a circuit court in the manner that Subtitle 2 of this title provides for the review of a contested case.