Alabama § 41-22-11 - Petition for Declaratory Ruling as to Validity of Rule, as to Applicability of Any Rule or Statute Enforceable by an Agency, or as to Meaning and Scope of Agency Order; Form and Contents; Binding Effect of Agency Ruling; Effect of Failure to Issue Ruling; Judicial Review.

§ 41-22-11. Petition for Declaratory Ruling as to Validity of Rule, as to Applicability of Any Rule or Statute Enforceable by an Agency, or as to Meaning and Scope of Agency Order; Form and Contents; Binding Effect of Agency Ruling; Effect of Failure to Issue Ruling; Judicial Review.

(a) On the petition of any person substantially affected by a rule, an agency may issue a declaratory ruling with respect to the validity of the rule or with respect to the applicability to any person, property, or state of facts of any rule or statute enforceable by it or with respect to the meaning and scope of any order of the agency. The petition seeking an administrative determination under this section shall be in writing and shall state with particularity facts sufficient to show the person seeking relief is substantially affected by the rule. Each agency shall prescribe by rule the form of such petitions and the procedure for their submission, consideration, and disposition, and shall prescribe in its rules the circumstances in which rulings shall or shall not be issued.

(b) A declaratory ruling is binding on the agency and the person requesting it unless it is altered or set aside by a court in a proper proceeding. Such rulings are subject to review in the Circuit Court of Montgomery County, unless otherwise specifically provided by the statute, in the manner provided in Section 41-22-20 for the review of decisions in contested cases. Failure of the agency to issue a declaratory ruling on the merits within 45 days of the request for such ruling shall constitute a denial of the request as well as a denial of the merits of the request and shall be subject to judicial review.