enabling statute
[ɪˈneɪblɪŋ ˈstætʃuːt]
nounpl: enabling statutes
lei habilitadora; lei de delegação de poderes
1. A law that grants power or authority to a person, body, or organization to do something that was previously prohibited or not explicitly permitted
The enabling statute gave the regulatory agency the authority to set environmental standards.
A lei habilitadora concedeu à agência reguladora a autoridade para estabelecer normas ambientais.
2. Legislation that provides the legal framework or authorization for the implementation of a specific program or policy
Congress passed an enabling statute that allowed the government to create new social programs.
O Congresso aprovou uma lei habilitadora que permitiu ao governo criar novos programas sociais.
3. A statute that serves as the legal foundation for a subordinate authority or official body to exercise delegated powers
The enabling statute for the municipal council outlined the scope of its legislative authority.
A lei habilitadora para o conselho municipal definiu o escopo de sua autoridade legislativa.
This is a legal term commonly used in both common law (USA, UK) and civil law jurisdictions (Brazil, Portugal). In the United States, enabling statutes are fundamental to administrative law and delegation of legislative power. In Brazil, they are essential to understanding how governmental agencies receive authority to regulate specific sectors. The concept reflects the principle that governmental bodies can only exercise powers explicitly granted by law.
Related Idioms & Phrases
to give someone the green light through an enabling statute
enabling statute framework
within the scope of an enabling statute
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