Laws and Regulations
Constitution of Virginia
The document that defines and limits the powers of the state government and the basic rights of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Like all other state constitutions, it is supreme over Virginia's laws and acts of government, though it may be superseded by the United States Constitution and U.S. federal law.
Code of Virginia
The compilation of statutory laws (laws passed by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor) for the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Code of Virginia updates annually on July 1 to reflect the legislation passed during the previous session.
Uncodified Acts of the Assembly
Acts of Assembly that are not part of the Code of Virginia and that are limited in duration of time and effect. These acts have special application relating to particular persons, things, or places.
Virginia Administrative Code
A compilation of all state agency regulations in the Commonwealth of Virginia. There are 24 titles in VAC. Each title represents a subject category and related agencies are assigned to the appropriate title. The online Virginia Administrative Code is kept current with daily updates.
Virginia Register of Regulations
This official state publication, published every two weeks, gives notice of all state agency rulemakings. It contains emergency, proposed, fast-track, and final regulations, including withdrawals and suspensions of pending regulations; Governor's executive orders; guidance document lists; petitions for rulemaking; notices of periodic reviews of regulations; and other miscellaneous state agency notices and documents.
Charters
Current governing documents for counties, cities, and towns in the Commonwealth of Virginia, both codified (included in the Code of Virginia) and uncodified.
Authorities
Current governing documents for entities created by the General Assembly to exercise power concerning a limited topic, such as health care or transportation, frequently in a specified region of Virginia. Some are codified (included in the Code of Virginia) and some are not.
As of July 2014, Charters and Authorities are located on the Virginia Law portal.
