SUNSET LAW Meaning and
Definition
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A sunset law, also known as a sunset provision or a sunset clause, refers to a legislative measure or provision that establishes an expiration date for a particular law, regulation, program, or government agency. The purpose behind implementing sunset laws is to ensure that government entities and policies remain effective and relevant over time, while also providing an opportunity for periodic review and evaluation.
This temporal provision requires lawmakers to revisit and reassess existing legislation or policies, determining whether they should be extended, modified, or eliminated. By creating a designated expiration date, sunset laws encourage policymakers to continuously evaluate the impact, efficiency, and necessity of the entities or laws in question.
The sunset process typically involves conducting systematic evaluations, public hearings, and comprehensive reviews to assess the entity’s effectiveness and accountability. These evaluations involve analyzing the economic, social, and functional aspects of the law or organization to determine its ongoing relevance in today's society.
Implementing sunset laws can have several advantages. Firstly, they promote governmental transparency, as they require regular evaluation of public policies and entities. Secondly, sunset provisions ensure that laws are regularly updated to reflect changing times and needs. Lastly, it encourages responsible use of government resources by providing an opportunity to eliminate or restructure outdated or ineffective programs or agencies.
In conclusion, a sunset law is a legal provision or measure that sets an expiration date for a law, regulation, program, or government agency. It enables regular evaluation and review of these entities to ensure their continued relevance and effectiveness in serving the public interest.
Common Misspellings for SUNSET LAW
- aunset law
- zunset law
- xunset law
- dunset law
- eunset law
- wunset law
- synset law
- shnset law
- sjnset law
- sinset law
- s8nset law
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- subset law
- sumset law
- sujset law
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- sunaet law
- sunzet law
- sunxet law
- sundet law
Etymology of SUNSET LAW
The term "sunset law" derives from the concept of a sunset clause. The word "sunset" in this context is a metaphor referring to the fading or expiration of something, like the setting of the sun.
The term "sunset clause" originated in the field of law and refers to a provision inserted into a statute that sets an automatic termination date for the law, unless it is reauthorized or amended by the legislature before that date. This concept was first employed in the United States during the 1970s as a means to ensure periodic review and evaluation of laws and regulations, particularly those that may have become obsolete or unnecessary over time.
The deliberations over the terminology used in these provisions led to the term "sunset clause", referring to the legal provision that allows a law's effectiveness to "sunset" or expire automatically.
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