§ 7-235

(a) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, this section applies to:

(i) each unit of the State government; and

(ii) each unit that:

1. is created by general law; and

2. operates in 2 or more counties.

(2) This section does not apply to a bicounty commission that county governing bodies appoint if those bodies also review the budget of the commission.

(b) A unit may not adopt a rule or regulation or take any other administrative action that would result in expenditures in excess of the limitations in the State budget unless:

(1) the General Assembly expressly approves the administrative action;

(2) if the General Assembly is not in session, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Delegates:

(i) consult with the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee; and

(ii) after receiving the written advice of the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee, jointly give written approval for the administrative action; or

(3) the Governor declares, by proclamation, that the administrative action is necessary and a matter of emergency.