281—4.9(17A) Ruling. An order granting or denying a waiver will be in writing and will contain a reference to the particular person and rule or portion thereof to which the order pertains, a statement of the relevant facts and the reasons upon which the action is based, and a description of the precise scope and operative period of any waiver issued.
	4.9(1) General. The final decision on whether the circumstances justify the granting of a waiver is in the sole discretion of the director, based on the unique, individual circumstances set out in the petition.
	4.9(2) Compliance with Iowa Code standards. The department applies the standards and burdens in Iowa Code section 17A.9A(3).
	4.9(3) Administrative deadlines. When the rule from which a waiver is sought establishes administrative deadlines, the director will balance the special individual circumstances of the petitioner with the overall goal of uniform treatment of all similarly situated persons.
	4.9(4) Time for ruling. The director will grant or deny a petition for a waiver as soon as practicable but, in any event, within 120 days of its receipt, unless the petitioner agrees to a later date. However, if a petition is filed in a contested case, the director will grant or deny the petition no later than the time at which the final decision in that contested case is issued. Failure of the director to grant or deny a petition within the time period is deemed a denial of that petition by the director. However, the director remains responsible for issuing an order denying a waiver.
	4.9(5) Service of order. Within seven days of its issuance, any order issued under this chapter is transmitted to the petitioner or the person to whom the order pertains, and to any other person entitled to such notice by any provision of law.
[ARC 7420C, IAB 12/27/23, effective 1/31/24]