This chapter is promulgated pursuant to State Government Article, §10-304, Annotated Code of Maryland, for the purpose of establishing procedures by which the public may petition the Department of Commerce for a declaratory ruling. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated. Terms Defined. “Department” means the Department of Commerce. “Secretary” means the Secretary of Commerce or the Secretary's designee. Any interested person may file a petition for declaratory ruling with respect to the manner in which the Department would apply a regulation or order of the Department or a statute that the Department enforces to a person or property on the facts set forth in the petition. A petition shall be filed with the Secretary for consideration and disposition. The petition shall: Be in writing; Contain a detailed statement of the facts on which the petition is based; Fully set forth the regulations or statutes involved; Pose the question of whether, and in what manner, the regulations or statutes apply to the petitioner under the facts contained in the petition; Contain the name, address, and telephone number of the petitioner; and Contain a statement by the petitioner, under oath, that the facts contained in the petition are true. The Secretary: Shall consider the petition; May require argument on the petition; and May issue the declaratory ruling requested or deny the petition. A declaratory ruling is binding upon the agency and the petitioner, to the extent permitted by law, on the facts alleged. Any declaratory ruling issued shall: Be in writing; and State the reasons for the decision. A copy of the declaratory ruling shall be delivered to the petitioner. The Department shall maintain a file of all petitions submitted and the declaratory rulings issued. This file shall be available for public inspection to the extent permitted by law. Economic Development Article, §2-108; State Government Article, §10-304; Annotated Code of Maryland Effective date: August 28, 2006 (33:17 Md. R. 1439)