A. Any person subject to the provisions of § 24.2-948.6 may submit a complete written request for an advisory opinion concerning the application of that section to a specific transaction or activity on a form provided by the Department. The Department shall transmit any such complete written request for an advisory opinion to the State Board.
B. The State Board shall, upon receipt, make public any request for an advisory opinion. Before rendering an advisory opinion, the State Board shall accept written comments submitted by any interested party within the 10-day period following the date the request is made public.
C. The State Board shall issue a written advisory opinion within 60 days of receipt of the request for an advisory opinion. However, if an advisory opinion is requested by a candidate or his campaign committee during the 60-day period before any election involving the requesting party, the State Board shall render a written advisory opinion relating to such request no later than 20 days after the State Board receives a complete written request.
D. Any advisory opinion rendered by the State Board under subsection C may be relied upon by (i) any person involved in the specific transaction or activity with respect to which such advisory opinion is rendered and (ii) any person involved in any specific transaction or activity that is indistinguishable in all its material aspects from the transaction or activity with respect to which such advisory opinion is rendered.
E. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any person who relies upon any provision or finding of an advisory opinion in accordance with the provisions of subsection D and who acts in good faith in accordance with the provisions and findings of such advisory opinion shall not, as a result of any such act, be subject to any sanction provided under § 24.2-948.7.