Legal Definitions - enact

In legal terms, "to enact" refers to two primary actions:

• To make something into law: This involves the formal process by which a legislative body (like a parliament, congress, or city council) passes a bill or proposal, thereby giving it the force of law.

• To stipulate or provide for something within a law: This describes what a particular law or regulation states, requires, or establishes once it has been formally created.

Here are some examples to illustrate how "enact" is used:

• Imagine a state legislature debating a bill designed to improve cybersecurity for government agencies. After extensive discussion, amendments, and a final vote, the bill passes both chambers and is signed by the governor. In this scenario, the legislature has enacted the new Cybersecurity Protection Act. This means they have formally converted the proposed bill into a binding state law.

• Consider a newly established environmental protection regulation. This regulation might enact that all industrial facilities must install specific air filtration systems by a certain date. Here, "enact" describes the specific requirement or provision that the environmental law establishes, mandating a particular action from businesses.

• A local city council is working on an ordinance to manage short-term rental properties. Once approved and signed, the ordinance could enact a requirement for all property owners to obtain a special permit and adhere to occupancy limits. This use of "enact" highlights the specific rules and conditions that the new city law puts into effect.