statutory authority

Statutory authority refers to the power granted to government bodies, agencies, or officials to act or make decisions based on laws enacted by the legislature. Essentially, it means that certain actions or regulations must be grounded in specific laws. This ensures that the authority is legitimate and provides a framework for accountability. For example, a city council has statutory authority to enact local ordinances, while a federal agency may have the power to enforce regulations according to federal law. It establishes how laws are implemented and ensures that actions taken by authorities are legal and justified.