Also known as: enacts · enacted · enacting · enactment · enactments · enactor · enactors · enactive · enactory · legislate · legislation
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
2 senses
A legislative process by which a bill is made into law through the authoritative action of a body empowered to create statutes.
The resulting statute's provision of a particular rule or requirement.
Each sense below has its own examples, sources, and questions.
A legislative process by which a bill is made into law through the authoritative action of a body empowered to create statutes.
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
The resulting statute's provision of a particular rule or requirement.
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
Edward Everett, a state election official, refused to register female voters despite the Nineteenth Amendment. Congress responded by enacting a statute that imposed federal oversight and penalties on states denying the vote on account of sex. The new law required states to certify compliance before receiving certain federal funds.
Enigma Technologies signed an agreement with Evergreen Bank to finance a venture later declared illegal under new federal banking rules. The statute enacted by Congress declared such financing agreements unenforceable on public-policy grounds. A court refused to enforce the contract when the bank sought repayment after the venture collapsed.
Eclipse Manufacturing failed to install required safety guards on its equipment. The state legislature enacted a statute setting the precise standard of conduct for manufacturers. When a worker was injured, the court adopted the statutory standard as the measure of reasonable care in the negligence action.
Enzo Eastwood, a Santeria priest, planned to perform animal sacrifice in accordance with his religion. The city enacted an ordinance that banned the precise method of slaughter used in those rituals while permitting other forms of animal killing. The ordinance was challenged as lacking neutrality and general applicability.
Emma Erickson operated a small manufacturing plant that had been lawful when built. The city enacted a new zoning ordinance that reclassified the area and prohibited the existing use. The ordinance included an amortization period allowing the plant to continue for five years before requiring closure.
Evelyn Ellison, a landlord, refused to rent an apartment to Ezra Eastman solely because of his race. The state legislature enacted a statute prohibiting invidious discrimination in the formation of landlord-tenant relationships. The law created a private right of action and administrative enforcement mechanisms for victims of such refusals.
Congress enacts a statute when both houses pass a bill and the President signs it or Congress overrides a veto. The resulting law carries the force of federal legislation and may be enforced through appropriate means.
When a legislature enacts a statute that declares certain promises unenforceable on public-policy grounds, courts will refuse to enforce those terms even if the parties otherwise formed a valid agreement.
Yes. When a legislature enacts a statute establishing a specific standard of conduct, a court may treat that standard as the measure of reasonable care in a negligence action even if the statute does not expressly create a private right of action.
…was deemed unconstitutional so far as it imposed duties on the courts, and after a repeal Congress provided a different mode and enacted that the Secretary of War in conjunction with the Attorney General take measures to obtain adjudication by the Supreme Court on the validity of such rights. A mandamus was moved for to the…