Legal Definitions - class legislation

Class legislation refers to laws that are specifically designed to apply to, benefit, or burden a particular group of people, businesses, or entities, rather than applying generally to all citizens or to a broad category. Such laws can be problematic if they create unfair advantages or disadvantages for the targeted group, potentially violating principles of equal protection under the law.

• Example 1: A state passes a law that exempts only "small, independently owned bookstores with fewer than five employees" from a newly enacted statewide sales tax on books. All other book retailers, including larger chains and online sellers, must collect and remit the tax.

  Explanation: This is class legislation because it singles out a very specific class of businesses (small, independent bookstores) and grants them a unique financial benefit (exemption from sales tax) that is not extended to other book retailers. It creates a special privilege for this particular group.

• Example 2: A city ordinance is enacted requiring all residents who own a dog weighing more than 50 pounds to pay an additional annual "large pet registration fee" of $200, regardless of the dog's breed or temperament. Owners of smaller dogs are exempt from this fee.

  Explanation: This ordinance constitutes class legislation because it targets a specific group of pet owners (those with dogs over 50 pounds) and imposes a unique financial burden on them that does not apply to other pet owners. It creates a distinction based on a characteristic (dog size) rather than applying broadly to all dog owners.

• Example 3: A new federal statute mandates that only individuals who have previously served as a "governor of a U.S. state for at least two full terms" are eligible to be appointed to a newly created national infrastructure commission. All other qualified professionals, such as engineers, urban planners, or business leaders, are excluded.

  Explanation: This is class legislation because it creates an exclusive privilege for a very specific subset of public servants (former two-term governors) for appointment to a public body, effectively barring other potentially qualified individuals from different backgrounds. It establishes a preference for one particular class over others.