Which term refers to rules or directives of administrative agencies that have authority to issue them?

• A. Statute
• B. Ordinance
• C. Regulations
• D. Enabling Legislation

Answer: (C)

Regulations are the rules or directives issued by administrative agencies that carry the force of law. They come from the agency’s authority, which is granted by enabling legislation—the statute that creates the agency and outlines its powers. Regulations provide the concrete details needed to implement and enforce the statutes.

A statute is a law enacted by the legislature and sets broad powers and requirements, but it doesn’t specify every rule an agency must follow. An ordinance is local law enacted by a city or county, not a state or federal agency rule. Enabling legislation is the law that creates the agency and grants authority; it explains what the agency can do, but it is not the agency’s set of rules itself.

In firefighting regulation, for example, the agency would issue regulations detailing inspection procedures, training standards, and fire code enforcement. These regulations are codified and enforceable because they are derived from the enabling statute governing the agency.