1. (a)

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

      1. (i) each unit of the State government; and

      2. (ii) each unit that:

         1. 1. is created by general law; and
         2. 2. operates in 2 or more counties.
   2. (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.

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

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

      1. (i) consult with the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee; and
      2. (ii) after receiving the written advice of the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee, jointly give written approval for the administrative action; or
   3. (3) the Governor declares, by proclamation, that the administrative action is necessary and a matter of emergency.

Added by Acts 1985, c. 11, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 1985. Amended by Acts 1997, c. 635, § 9, eff. July 1, 1997; Acts 1997, c. 636, § 9, eff. July 1, 1997; Acts 2019, c. 8, § 5.

Formerly Art. 15A, § 14A.