Va. Code § 30-73.1
The Joint Commission on Administrative Rules (the "Commission") is established in the legislative branch of state government. The purpose of the Commission is to review (i) existing agency rules, regulations and practices and (ii) agency rules or regulations during the promulgation or final adoption process and make recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly.
As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Agency" means any authority, commission, instrumentality, officer, board or other unit of the state government empowered by the basic laws to make regulations or decide cases.
"Rule" or "regulation" means any statement of general application, having the force of law, affecting the rights or conduct of any person, adopted by an agency in accordance with the authority conferred on it by applicable basic laws.
Va. Code § 30-73.1