What is statutory authority?

Asked by: Hillary Nitzsche  |  Last update: February 3, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (29 votes)

Statutory authority is the legal power granted to a government agency, official, or body by a specific law (statute) passed by a legislature, allowing them to create binding regulations, enforce laws, and perform specific functions that would otherwise be unlawful. It defines the scope and limits of an organization's actions, giving them the legitimacy to manage programs, ensure public safety (like food inspection), and implement legislative mandates, acting as the foundation for public administration and governance.

What does statutory authorization mean?

In order for a federal agency, board, or commission to issue a rule or regulation with the force and effect of law, it must derive that authority from an explicit grant of power by Congress.

What are statutory examples?

Statutory Requirements: These are specific rules written down in laws made by Parliament. They are a type of legal requirement, but more specific. For example, the rule that says you must pay income tax is a statutory requirement because it's in a law passed by Parliament.

What does statutory mean in simple words?

The simple meaning of statutory is anything that is required, established, or defined by a formal written law (a statute) passed by a legislature, like Congress or Parliament, rather than by custom or judicial decision. It means something is legally mandated or created by law, such as a statutory requirement or statutory punishment. 

Who grants statutory authority?

While Congress provides the statutory authority to award grants, there are many types of requirements, policies and guidance that must be followed to manage a grant. Statutes enacted by Congress hold the most authority, followed by federal regulations that detail how the executive branch interprets those statutes.

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38 related questions found

What exactly is statutory authority?

Statutory authority refers to the powers and duties assigned to a government official or agency through a law passed by Congress or a state legislature. It is also known as a statutory grant of authority.

Who can override the president of the USA?

While no single person can "overrule" the President, Congress (by overriding vetoes or passing legislation), the Judiciary (by striking down unconstitutional actions), the Vice President and Cabinet (under the 25th Amendment for disability), and even the next President (by reversing executive orders) can significantly limit or overturn presidential authority through checks and balances. 

What is another word for statutory?

A synonym for statutory means established or required by law or legislation, with common alternatives including legal, lawful, legislative, regulatory, constitutional, mandatory, compulsory, and authorized, all conveying the sense of being officially enacted or binding. 

What is a statutory example?

Statutory means something is required, authorized, or governed by a formal, written law (a statute) passed by a legislative body, making it legally binding and compulsory. For example, a statutory age limit (like the age to vote or drive) is set by law, or a company has a statutory duty to report certain financial information to the government. 

What is the difference between legal and statutory?

The differences between legal and statutory requirements

Legal requirements - Encompass all law forms, including statutory laws and other regulations, directives, and judicial precedents. Statutory requirements - These are a subset of legal requirements, confined to those obligations directly specified in statutes.

Who uses statutory law?

Statutory law is the primary type of law used by the judicial system. Researching and practicing statutory law is something that every branch of the government needs help with; therefore, statutory lawyers are instrumental in creating laws in the United States.

What is the statutory purpose?

statutory purpose means the preservation of the peace and the securing and regulating of the supply and distribution of food, water, fuel, electric light and power and other necessities and the maintaining of the means of transportation or locomotion and any other purpose essential to the public safety and the life of ...

What is the legal definition of statutory?

Statutory Law is law established by an act of the legislature that is signed by the executive. For federal statutory law, the acts are passed by Congress and signed by the President of the United States. For state law, the acts are passed by the state legislature and signed by the state governor.

What are examples of statutory authority?

The EPA uses its statutory authority to set pollution standards, monitor industries, and take enforcement actions against violators. In another example, a state-level building department may have statutory authority under state law to enforce building codes and inspect construction projects.

Can statutory authority be challenged?

Courts can examine the statutory authority for an agency's action and invalidate agency action that exceeds these limits. In addition, a court may examine an agency's discretionary decisions to ensure they are reasonable and adequately explained.

What is a statutory power of attorney?

The Statutory POA is a form the State of California provides in Probate Code (PC) § 4401 that can be completed as either a durable or non-durable POA. A Statutory POA is legally sufficient if all of the following conditions are met: The wording substantially complies with PC § 4401, and.

What is the meaning of the word statutory?

1. : of or relating to statutes. a statutory provision. 2. : enacted, created, or regulated by statute.

What are examples of statutory law?

Statutory law consists of laws written and enacted by a legislative body. For the United States federal government, statutory law is the acts passed by the United States Congress, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, or the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act of 2010.

What's the difference between statutory and non-statutory?

The difference between a statutory and non-statutory service is that a statutory service is required by legislation and non-statutory services is not.

Who enforces statutory laws?

The executive branch consists of the President, his or her advisors and various departments and agencies. This branch is responsible for enforcing the laws of the land.

Does statutory mean required?

Definition. Statutory requirements are those requirements established by law for specific acquisition positions, i.e., Contracting Positions.

What are the main types of statutory law?

While there are many types of statutory laws and codes to organize them, the more common ones are: Family or civil codes: These statutes include civil claims, labor disputes, divorces, and other legal matters that are not crimes. Criminal codes: These laws pertain to issues of criminality.

Can the President fire the vice president?

The Constitution of the United States gives Congress the authority to remove the vice president of the United States from office in two separate proceedings. The first one takes place in the House of Representatives, which impeaches the vice president by approving articles of impeachment through a simple majority vote.

Who has more power than the President in America?

The Senate has exceptionally high authority, sometimes higher than the President or the House of Representatives. The Senate can try cases of impeachment, which can dismiss a President for misconduct.

What would it take for Trump to be removed from office?

For impeachment to occur, a simple majority is needed in the House and for conviction/removal from office to occur a two-thirds majority is needed in the Senate. At the time both the House and Senate were controlled by Republicans.