Maryland Alcoholic Beverages Section 16-404

      (a)      The Comptroller may investigate the manufacture, sale, purchase, use and transportation of industrial alcohol unfit for beverage use to the extent reasonably necessary to prevent conversion into alcoholic beverages fit for consumption. The Comptroller may call upon other administrative departments of the State, county and municipal governments, county and city police departments and upon all prosecuting officers for such information and assistance as he may deem necessary to carry out the provisions of this article.

      (b)      The Comptroller is authorized to delegate the Comptroller's authority under this article to the director of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax Bureau of the Comptroller's office to issue or refuse to issue licenses and permits.

      (c)      The Comptroller is authorized to delegate the Comptroller's authority to conduct hearings of violations of this article or of any regulations issued thereunder to the director of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax Bureau of the Comptroller's office or any other employee of the Comptroller's office; provided, however, the director of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax Bureau of the Comptroller's office or any other employee of the Comptroller's office delegated by the Comptroller shall not have the authority to invoke penalties provided for under this article, but shall report the employee's findings and recommendations to the Comptroller, for the taking of such action as the latter deems appropriate.