<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" citation="COMAR 36.01.02.04" title_num="36" subtitle_num="01" chapter_num="02" heading="Petition for Declaratory Ruling.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Submissions. A person may submit a petition with the Agency seeking the issuance of a declaratory ruling with respect to the applicability of a regulation, order, or statute enforceable by the Agency.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Petition Requirements.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Form. The petition shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Be in writing and specifically state the declaratory ruling sought;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Include a detailed statement of the relevant facts and the petitioner's argument in support of the position asserted in the petition; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Include a statement concerning the interest of the petitioner in the controversy and how a declaratory ruling would affect the petitioner's interest.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Submission and Consideration.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The petition shall be submitted to the Director.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The Director:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Shall consider the petition; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>May delegate the preparation of written findings of fact and proposed conclusions of law.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Disposition.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>If the Director decides not to issue a declaratory ruling, the Director shall notify the petitioner in writing, stating briefly the reasons for the refusal.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If the Director decides to issue a declaratory ruling, the Director shall after appropriate consideration, issue the ruling in writing, stating the findings of fact and conclusions of law.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Unless reviewable by the Commission under §E of this regulation, the Director’s decision is final.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Effect of Declaratory Ruling. A final declaratory ruling is binding between the Agency and the petitioner on the statement of facts set forth in the final ruling.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Review By Commission.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Director’s decision shall be forwarded to the Commission for its review and approval before it may be considered final for a petition for declaratory ruling under:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>State Government Article, Title 9, Subtitles 1, 1A, 1B, 1D, and 1E, Annotated Code of Maryland, or regulations promulgated thereunder; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Criminal Law Article, Title 12, Subtitle 3, Annotated Code of Maryland, or regulations promulgated thereunder.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The Commission’s approval of the Director’s decision makes the Director’s decision final.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Judicial Review. A final declaratory ruling is subject to judicial review in the manner provided for by State Government Article, §10-222, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>Agency File.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Agency shall maintain a file of:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>All petitions submitted for declaratory ruling; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The Director's responses and rulings.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The Agency’s file is a public record as defined in General Provisions Article, §4-101, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>