<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".15" citation="COMAR 12.11.03.15" title_num="12" subtitle_num="11" chapter_num="03" heading="Variations or Waivers of Regulations.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Upon request by a county, the Board may grant a waiver or variance of the regulations contained in this chapter.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>A county may submit a written or electronic request for waiver or variance to the Board that includes:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Number of persons affected;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Impact of a variance or waiver;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Alternative methods;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Technical difficulties;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Cost.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>The Board shall consider:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The information for each of the areas cited in §B of this regulation; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The best interests of the affected parties, the applicant, and the Emergency Number Systems Board.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>An affected party shall have the right to present, either in writing or through oral testimony, information which may bear on the Board's final decision.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Processing a Request for Waiver or Variance.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Upon receipt of a written request for waiver or variance, the Board shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Within 10 days of receipt of the request, direct a letter to the applicant, which shall:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Acknowledge receipt; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Notify the applicant that additional information may be submitted, within 30 days, for the Board to consider during the review; and</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Review the documents or conduct a hearing.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If the Board elects to review the documents, the review shall be conducted at a regular Board meeting within 60 days after the expiration of the 30-day period granted to the applicant to submit additional information.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>If the Board elects to conduct a hearing, the Board shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Notify the applicant and affected parties of the hearing at least 10 days before the hearing and provide the hearing:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Date;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Time; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Location; and</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Conduct the hearing according to State Government Article, Title 10, Subtitle 2, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>