§26. Applications and notification of completeness

           A. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and the commissioner of conservation shall, after notification by the department to the applicant that the application is complete, grant or deny all applications for all permits, licenses, registrations, or compliance in this or any other Title within sixty days. The notification of completeness shall be issued within fourteen days, exclusive of holidays, by the department. If the application is not complete the department shall notify the applicant in writing of the deficiencies which cause the application not to be complete. If the secretary or the commissioner does not grant the application, the secretary or the commissioner shall provide written reasons for his decision to deny, and copies of the decision shall be provided to all parties. The secretary and the commissioner may delegate the power to grant permits, licenses, registrations, variances, or compliance schedules to an assistant.

           B. If the secretary does not grant or deny the application within the time period provided for in this Section, the applicant may file a rule as provided for in R.S. 49:978.

           Acts 1990, No. 996, §3; Acts 1991, No. 828, §1; Acts 1992, No. 815, §1.