BLAIR LEE III, Acting Governor                           2589

limitations is necessary and a matter of emergency. This
limitation with respect to the agency's budget is applicable
to every agency in the executive, judicial, and legislative
branches of government, EXCEPT BICOUNTY COMMISSIONS
APPOINTED BY LOCAL GOVERNING BODIES WHO REVIEW THE
COMMISSIONS' BUDGETS, notwithstanding any exemptions from
the provisions of this subtitle contained in § 244 (a) of
this subtitle.

246.

Each agency, EXCEPT BICOUNTY COMMISSIONS APPOINTED BY
LOCAL GOVERNING BODIES, shall comply with the provisions of
§ 9 of this article and the State Documents Law.

A rule is effective as provided in the State Documents
Law, unless otherwise provided by law.

248.

Any interested person may petition an agency requesting
the promulgation, amendment, or repeal of any rule. Each
agency shall prescribe by rule the form for such petitions
and the procedure for their submission, consideration, and
disposition. WITHIN 60 DAYS AFTER SUBMISSION OF A PETITION,
THE AGENCY SHALL EITHER DENY THE PETITION IN WRITING
(STATING THE REASONS FOR THE DENIAL) OR INITIATE RULEMAKING
PROCEEDINGS.

250.

On petition of any interested person for corporation],
[any] THE agency may issue a declaratory ruling with respect
to the applicability [to any person, corporation, property
or state of facts] of any rule, ORDER, or statute
enforceable by it TO ANY PERSON, PROPERTY, OR STATEMENT OF
FACTS. IF ISSUED [A] A declaratory ruling[, if issued after
argument and stated to be binding,] is binding between the
agency and the petitioner on the state of facts alleged[,
unless it is altered or set aside by a court]. Such a
ruling is subject to review in the circuit court of the
county or the Baltimore City Court, as the case may be, in
the manner hereinafter provided for the review of decisions
in contested cases. Each agency shall prescribe by rule
the form for such petitions and the procedure for their
submission, consideration, and disposition.

250A.

(A)    THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT CONCERNING CONTESTED
CASES APPLY WHEN THE GRANT, DENIAL, OR RENEWAL OF A LICENSE
IS REQUIRED BY LAW OR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO BE PRECEDED BY
NOTICE AND OPPORTUNITY FOR HEARING.

(B)    WHEN A LICENSEE HAS MADE TIMELY AND SUFFICIENT
APPLICATION FOR THE RENEWAL OF A LICENSE, THE EXISTING
LICENSE MAY NOT EXPIRE UNTIL THE AGENCY HAS TAKEN FINAL
ACTION ON THE APPLICATION AND THE TIME FOR SEEKING JUDICIAL