<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".13" citation="COMAR 01.06.01.13" title_num="01" subtitle_num="06" chapter_num="01" heading="General Provisions.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Administration.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Upon request of the petitioning group, the Commission may extend any time period established by these regulations for processing of the petitioning group's petition.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The Commission from time to time may establish operational handbooks or manuals governing matters relating to the administration of these regulations, including descriptive statements of procedures which do not directly affect the rights of the public or procedures available to the public.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Written Requirements. All requests, notices, notifications, consents, and approvals required under these regulations shall be made in writing.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Waiver. The Commission may waive or vary any provisions of these regulations if:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The waiver or variance is not inconsistent with the authorizing provisions of State Government Article, Title 9.5, Subtitle 3, Annotated Code of Maryland;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>In the written determination of the Commission, the application of the regulations in a specific case or in an emergency situation is inequitable or contrary to the purposes of State Government Article, Title 9.5, Subtitle 3, Annotated Code of Maryland; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The Office of the Attorney General approves any waiver or variance for form and legal sufficiency.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>No Private Cause of Action. Action or failure to take action by the Commission or the Governor under State Government Article, Title 9.5, Subtitle 3, Annotated Code of Maryland, or these regulations may not create a private cause of action under the laws of the State.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>False Statements.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>In any matter relating to a petition under State Government Article, Title 9.5, Subtitle 3, Annotated Code of Maryland, or these regulations, a person is guilty of a misdemeanor if that person:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Knowingly and willfully falsifies or conceals a material fact, by any trick, scheme, or device;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Makes any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Makes or uses any false writing or document knowing the writing or document contains a false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Except as otherwise provided by law, a person who violates §E(1) of this regulation is subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>