THEODORE R. MCKELDIN, GOVERNOR 1147

in the spacing unit and the income therefrom and in con-
formance with the general spacing pattern. Unless actual
drilling has been commenced under said drilling permit
within six (6) months from the date of the issuance of
such permit, such permit shall be void.

45G. (a) The Department shall prescribe rules and
regulations governing the practice and procedure before
the Department.

(b) No rule, regulation or order, or amendment thereof,
except in an emergency, shall be made by the Department
without a public hearing upon at least ten (10) days⁹
notice. The public hearing shall be held at such time and
place as may be prescribed by the Department, and any
interested person shall be entitled to be heard.

(c) When an emergency requiring immediate action is
found to exist, the Department is authorized to issue an
emergency order without notice or hearing, which shall
be effective upon promulgation. No emergency order shall
remain effective for more than fifteen (15) days.

(d) Any notice required by this sub-title shall be given
at the election of the Department either by personal service
or by service by publication as provided in the Public
General Laws of Maryland in any legal action involving
real estate in the State of Maryland. The notice shall issue
in the name of the State, shall be signed by the Director
of the Department, shall specify the style and number of
the proceedings, the time and place of the hearing, and
shall briefly state the purpose of the proceeding. Should
the Department elect to give notice by personal service,
such service may be made by an officer authorized to serve
process, or by any agent of the Department, in the same
manner as is provided by law for the service of citation
in civil actions in the courts of the State. Proof of the
service by such agent shall be by the affidavit of the person
making personal service.

(e) All rules, regulations and orders issued by the
Department shall be in writing, shall be entered in full
and indexed in books to be kept by the Department for
that purpose, and shall be public records open for inspec-
tion at all times during reasonable office hours. A copy
of any rule, regulation or order certified by any member
of the Department or the Director of the Department shall
be received in evidence in all courts of this State with the
same effect as the original.