(a) Hearings shall be held whenever one of the following occurs:

1. (1) The provisions of a statute, a decision of the courts or an opinion of the Attorney General require that a hearing be held by the Secretary of the Commonwealth;
2. (2) Protest or objection is made as to any matter involving a paper, statement, document, registration, application, certificate or recording, filed with any Bureau, Commission or Board in the Department of State under the provisions of any statute, court decision or Attorney General’s opinion.
3. (3) Protest or objection is made as to any other matter requiring the determination of facts or of any applicable decision of law under the provisions of any statute, court decision or Attorney General’s opinion.