Enabling Clause (Noun)
Meaning
A provision in a law that confers on appropriate officials the power to implement or enforce the law.
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- The enabling clause in the new healthcare bill allowed the department to set standards for insurance companies to follow.
- An enabling clause was included in the legislation to give the agency the authority to issue regulations for its implementation.
- The law's enabling clause gave the board the power to establish fees for licensing professionals in the state.
- Critics argued that the enabling clause in the new tax law gave too much discretion to the revenue department.
- The enabling clause in the environmental protection act allowed the secretary to negotiate agreements with neighboring countries to reduce pollution.