Under § 3-117 of the 1981 version of the Model State Administrative Procedure Act, any person may petition an agency requesting the adoption of a rule.  Each agency shall prescribe by rule the form of the petition and the procedure for its submission, consideration, and disposition.  The agency shall either:

• deny the petition in writing, stating its reasons therefore;
• initiate rule-making proceedings in accordance with this Chapter, or
• if otherwise lawful, adopt a rule; within 60 days after submission of a petition.