<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" citation="COMAR 10.44.16.04" title_num="10" subtitle_num="44" chapter_num="16" heading="Consideration and Disposition.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>A petition will be granted unless the Board or its designee considers a declaratory ruling inadvisable due to considerations listed in §H of this regulation.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>In rendering its ruling, the Board or its designee:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Shall consider all materials submitted with the petition;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>May consider any document, data, or other relevant material;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>May consult individuals;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>May consider comments from the staff; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>May require argument of the question or permit the introduction of evidence.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>A declaratory ruling issued shall be in writing, stating the:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Issue;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Conclusion;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Facts upon which the conclusion was based; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Sources relied upon.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>A declaratory ruling issued by the Board shall plainly state that it is a declaratory ruling made pursuant to these regulations.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>A written answer from the Board or any employee of the Board to an inquiry may not be construed as a declaratory ruling unless made in conformity with these regulations.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>The Board shall keep a record of each declaratory ruling issued and index all declaratory rulings issued by reference to statute or regulation involved.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>The Board may publish declaratory rulings of general interest subject to the mandates of the Public Information Act, State Government Article, §10-601 et seq., Annotated Code of Maryland, and allow inspection of the declaratory rulings subject to the Public Information Act.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>A petition may be denied if the:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Request contains incomplete information upon which to base an informed declaratory ruling;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Board or its designee concludes that a declaratory ruling cannot reasonably be given on the matter;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Matter is adequately covered by a:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Prior regulation,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Declaratory ruling,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Decision, or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Legal opinion; or</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Board or its designee concludes that a ruling would not be in the public interest.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>