Definition

1. Noun:
   • A legislative provision: An "enabling act" is a specific clause or provision within a law or statute. Its primary function is to grant designated authorities or officials the legal power to create the detailed rules, regulations, or administrative actions necessary to put the broader law into effect.
   • Delegation of authority: It represents a delegation of power from the legislature to an executive agency or body, allowing for the practical implementation and enforcement of the law's general principles.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The Clean Air Act included an enabling act that authorized the Environmental Protection Agency to set specific emission standards.
  • Congress passed the enabling act, giving the new commission the power to regulate the industry.
  • The success of the policy depended on the details outlined in the enabling act.

Advanced Usage

• "Broad enabling act": Refers to legislation that grants wide or extensive powers to the implementing body.
  • The legislature passed a broad enabling act, giving the ministry significant discretion.
• "Pursuant to the enabling act": A formal phrase meaning "in accordance with the authority granted by the enabling act."
  • The agency issued new guidelines pursuant to the enabling act.

Variants and Related Words

• Enabling legislation (n): Often used synonymously with "enabling act" to refer to the law that grants implementing powers.
  • The program was established under the enabling legislation passed last year.
• Enabling clause (n): Can refer to the specific section within a larger law that serves as the enabling provision.
• Enabling power (n): The authority itself that is conferred by the act.

Synonyms

• Authorizing statute
• Delegating legislation
• Implementing provision

Related Phrases

• "Power conferred by an enabling act": The specific authority granted.
  • The fines were imposed using the power conferred by the enabling act.
• "To act under an enabling act": To operate based on the authority it provides.
  • The board can only act under an enabling act from the parliament.

Noun

1. a provision in a law that confers on appropriate officials the power to implement or enforce the law