(a) A person may apply to an agency for a declaratory decision as to the applicability to specified circumstances of a statute, regulation, or decision within the primary jurisdiction of the agency.
(b) The agency in its discretion may issue a declaratory decision in response to the application. The agency shall not issue a declaratory decision if any of the following applies:
(1) Issuance of the decision would be contrary to a regulation adopted under this article.
(2) The decision would substantially prejudice the rights of a person who would be a necessary party and who does not consent in writing to the determination of the matter by a declaratory decision proceeding.
(3) The decision involves a matter that is the subject of pending administrative or judicial proceedings.
(c) An application for a declaratory decision is not required for exhaustion of the applicant’s administrative remedies for purposes of judicial review.
(Added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 938, Sec. 21. Effective January 1, 1996. Operative July 1, 1997, by Sec. 98 of Ch. 938 and Section 11400.10.)