Regulations – Chapter 03 – Procedure for Issuing Declaratory Opinion

Any person with a substantial interest in the subject matter may request a declaratory opinion from the Board by following the specified procedures. “Substantial interest in the subject matter” means: an individual, business, group or other entity that is directly affected by the Board’s administration of the laws within its primary jurisdiction. “Primary jurisdiction of the Board” means the Board has a constitutional or statutory grant of authority in the subject matter at issue.

(Adopted July 7, 2005.)

Source: Miss. Code Ann . §25-43-2.103.

The Board will issue declaratory opinions regarding the applicability to specified facts of: (1) a statute administered or enforceable by the Board or (2) a rule promulgated by the Board. The Board will not issue a declaratory opinion regarding a statute or rule that is outside the primary jurisdiction of the Board.

(Adopted July 7, 2005.)

Source: Miss. Code Ann . §25-43-2.103.

The Board may, for good cause, refuse to issue a declaratory opinion. The circumstances in which declaratory opinions will not be issued include, but are not necessarily limited to:

1. lack of clarity concerning the question presented;
2. there is pending or anticipated litigation, administrative action, or other adjudication which may either answer the question presented by the request or otherwise make an answer unnecessary;
3. the statute or rule on which a declaratory opinion is sought is clear and not in need of interpretation to answer the question presented by the request;
4. the facts presented in the request are not sufficient to answer the question presented;
5. the request fails to contain information required by these rules or the requestor failed to follow the procedure set forth in these rules;
6. the request seeks to resolve issues that have become moot, or are abstract or hypothetical such that the requestor is not substantially affected by the statute or rule on which a declaratory opinion is sought;
7. no controversy exists concerning the issue, as the requestor is not faced with existing facts or those certain to arise that raise a question concerning the application of the statute or rule;
8. the question presented by the request concerns the legal validity of a statute or rule;
9. the request is not based upon facts calculated to aid in the planning of future conduct but is, instead, based on past conduct in an effort to establish the effect of that conduct;
10. no clear answer is determinable;
11. the question presented by the request involves the application of a criminal statute or a set of facts that may constitute a crime;
12. the answer to the question presented would require the disclosure of information that is privileged or otherwise protected by law from disclosure;
13. the question is currently the subject of an Attorney General’s opinion request or has been answered by an Attorney General’s opinion;
14. a similar request is pending before this Board or any other agency or a proceeding is pending on the same subject matter before any agency, administrative or judicial tribunal, or where such an opinion would constitute the unauthorized practice of law.
15. where issuance of a declaratory opinion may adversely affect the interests of the State, the Board or any of their officers or employees in any litigation, which is pending or may reasonably be expected to arise;
16. the question involves eligibility for a license, permit, certificate or other approval by the Board or some other agency, and there is a statutory or regulatory application process by which eligibility for said license, permit, certificate or other approval would be determined.

(Adopted July 7, 2005.)

Source: Miss. Code Ann . §25-43-2.103.

Each request must be printed or typewritten, or must be in legible handwriting. Each request must be submitted on standard business letter-size paper (8-1/2 inches by 11 inches). Requests may be in the form of a letter addressed to the Board.

(Adopted July 7, 2005.)

Source: Miss. Code Ann . §25-43-2.103.

All requests must be mailed, delivered or transmitted via facsimile to the Board. The request shall clearly state that it is a request for a declaratory opinion. Oral and telephone requests and email requests will not be accepted for official opinions.

(Adopted July 7, 2005.)

Source: Miss. Code Ann . §25-43-2.103.

Each request must include the full name, telephone number, and mailing address of the requestor. All requests shall be signed by the person filing the request, who shall attest that the request complies with the requirements set forth in these rules, including but not limited to a full, complete, and accurate statement of relevant facts and that there are no related proceedings pending before any other administrative or judicial tribunal.

(Adopted July 7, 2005.)

Source: Miss. Code Ann . §25-43-2.103.

Each request shall contain the following:

1. a clear and concise statement of all facts on which the opinion is requested;
2. a citation to the statute or rule at issue;
3. the question(s) sought to be answered in the opinion, stated clearly;
4. a suggested proposed opinion from the requestor, stating the answers desired by petitioner and a summary of the reasons in support of those answers;
5. the identity of all other known persons involved in or impacted by the described factual situation, including their relationship to the facts, name, mailing address and telephone number; and
6. a statement to show that the person seeking the opinion has a substantial interest in the subject matter.

(Adopted July 7, 2005.)

Source: Miss. Code Ann . §25-43-2.103.

Within forty-five (45) days after the receipt of a request for a declaratory opinion that complies with the requirements of these rules, the Board shall, in writing:

1. issue a declaratory opinion regarding the specified statute or rule as applied to the specified circumstances;
2. decline to issue a declaratory opinion, stating the reasons for its action; or
3. agree to issue a declaratory opinion by a specified time but not later than ninety (90) days after receipt of the written request.

(Adopted July 7, 2005.)

Source: Miss. Code Ann . §25-43-2.103.

The forty-five (45) day period shall begin running on the first State of Mississippi business day on or after the request is received by the Board, whichever is sooner.

(Adopted July 7, 2005.)

Source: Miss. Code Ann . §25-43-2.103.