Ch. 59                                       1993 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(IV) PROVIDE THAT, IF A REQUEST FOR A HEARING IS GRANTED,
THE BOARD'S FINAL DECISION ON THE APPLICATION SHALL BE BASED ON THE
RECORD MADE IN THE HEARING, INCLUDING THE PROPOSED FINDINGS OF FACT
AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW RECOMMENDED TO THE BOARD BY THE PRESIDING
OFFICER.

(g) (1) Before it may issue a certificate, the Board shall hold [a public hearing]
AN INFORMATIONAL MEETING in the subdivision in which the proposed site is to be
located for the purpose of receiving advice and comments from the public.

(2) The [hearing] INFORMATIONAL MEETING shall be held at least 60
days prior to the issuance of a certificate.

(3)     If a site is located in more than one subdivision, the [hearing]
INFORMATIONAL MEETING shall be held at a location reasonably convenient and
accessible to the affected jurisdictions.

(4)     The [hearing] INFORMATIONAL MEETING may not be held until the
application is complete.

6-507.

(a)     Further action may not be taken by the Secretary under this subtitle without
completion of the statement required under § 6-506 of this subtitle, and its being made
available to the public, and until the county government, where the proposed facility is to
be located has certified to the Department that all necessary local approval has been or is
reasonably expected to be extended for commencement of construction.

(b)     Not more than 60 days after the statement is completed, the Department shall
hold at least one public hearing in the county in which the facility or any part of it is
situated to solicit the views of the public about the permit application. Prior to the
PUBLIC hearing the Department shall make the statement available to the public. In
addition, any comments on the statement prepared by the Department or any other State
department, any proposed permits to be issued by any State agency to the applicant, any
conditions proposed by the Department prior to granting a permit, and any other
pertinent information shall be made available to the public prior to the hearing.

(c)     The Department shall give notice of the PUBLIC hearing by furnishing the
same to the appropriate State and local government units as well as publishing notice in
a newspaper of statewide circulation and in a newspaper published in or having general
circulation in each affected county.

6-508.

(a) Within 90 days following the completion of the public hearing UNDER § 6-507
OF THIS SUBTITLE, and after receiving the advisory comments and recommendations of
the Secretaries of the Environment, Economic and Employment Development, and
Transportation and the Director of Planning, the Secretary shall decide whether to grant,
grant conditionally, or deny the permit. The Secretary's decision shall be in writing and
based upon the economic and environmental statement, the public hearing record, and a
determination that the applicant has shown satisfactorily that the facility:

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