Ch. 777

LAWS OF MARYLAND

completion of the producing well, the lands within the unit
operation agreement not included as "in pool" acreage and on
which no royalties are payable, shall be released. This section
does not extend to any leases and unit operation agreements in
effect on June 1, 1956.

6-108.

(a)  Except in an emergency, a rule, regulation, order, or
amendment may not be made by the Department without a public
hearing upon at least ten days' notice. The public hearing shall
be held at the time and place prescribed by the Department. Any
interested person is entitled to be heard by the Department.

(b)  When an emergency requiring immediate action exists,
the Department is authorized to issue an emergency order without
notice or hearing. An emergency order takes effect upon
promulgation. An emergency order may not remain effective for
more than 15 days.

(c)  All rules, regulations, and orders issued by the
Department shall be in writing, entered and indexed in books kept
by the Department as public documents open for inspection during
normal office hours. A copy of any rule, regulation, or order
certified by the Secretary of the Department or his designee
shall be received in evidence in all courts with the same effect
as the original.

(d)  The Department may act either upon its own motion or
the petition of any interested person. On the filing of a
petition concerning any matter within its jurisdiction, it shall
promptly fix a date for a hearing and cause notice of the hearing
to be given. The hearing shall be held promptly after the filing
of the petition. If the hearing relates to the issuance of a
permit for or with respect to a specific well, it shall be held
in the county or municipal corporation where the well is located,
The Department shall enter its order within ten days after the
hearing.

6-109.

(a)  The Department may summon witnesses, administer oaths,
and require the production of records, books, and. documents for
examination at any hearing or investigation it conducts.

(b)  If any person fails or refuses to comply with a
subpoena issued by the Department, or if any witness refuses to
testify as to any matter regarding which [he] THE WITNESS may be
interrogated, any court of competent jurisdiction, upon the
application of the Department, may issue an attachment for the
person and compel [him] THE PERSON to comply with the subpoena,
and appear before the Department and produce records, books, and
documents for examination and give testimony. If a person

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