| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Administrative Law | The body of law created by administrative agencies in order to carry out their duties and responsibilities. |
| Administrative Agency | A federal or state government agency established to perform a specific function. |
| Enabling Legislation | A statute enacted by Congress that authorizes the creation of an administrative agency and specifies the name, composition, and powers of the agency being created. |
| Legislative Rule | An administrative agency rule that carries the same weight as a congressionally enacted statue. |
| Interpretive Rule | An administrative agency rule that explains how the agency interprets and intends to apply the statues it enforces. |
| Delegation Doctrine | A doctrine based on the U.S Constitution, which has been construed to allow Congress to delegate some of its power to administrative agencies to make and implement laws. |
| Bureaucracy | The organization structure, consisting of government bureaus and agencies, through which the government implements and enforces the laws. |
| Administrative Process | The procedure used by administrative agencies in the administration of law. |
| Rulemaking | The actions of administrative agencies when formally adopting new regulations or amending old ones. |
| Notice-and-Comment Rulemaking | A procedure in agency rulemaking that requires notice, opportunity for comment, and a published draft of the final rule. |
| Adjudication | A proceeding in which an administrative law judge hears and decides issues that arise when an administrative agency charges a person or a firm with an agency violation. |
| Administrative Law Judge | One who presides over an administrative agency hearing and has the power to administer oaths, take testimony, rule on questions of evidence, and make determinations of fact. |
| Initial Order | An agency's decision in a matter other than a rulemaking, An administrative law judge's initial order becomes final unless it is appealed. |
| Final Order | The final decision of an administrative agency on an issue. |