Legal Definitions - law of a general nature

A law of a general nature refers to a legal rule or statute that applies broadly and uniformly across an entire class of individuals, entities, or geographical areas, rather than being designed for a specific person, organization, or limited location. Such laws are intended to have widespread applicability and treat all within their defined scope equally, without favoritism or discrimination.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: State Speed Limit Laws

  Imagine a state law that sets the maximum speed limit on all interstate highways within its borders at 70 miles per hour. This law is of a general nature because it applies to every driver operating a vehicle on any interstate highway in that state. It does not target specific individuals, specific types of vehicles, or particular stretches of highway; instead, it establishes a uniform rule for a broad category of people and places.

• Example 2: Federal Minimum Wage

  Consider a federal law that establishes a national minimum wage, requiring all employers to pay their eligible employees at least a certain hourly rate. This is a law of a general nature because it applies to all employers and all eligible employees across the entire country (with specific, generally defined exceptions). It does not single out a particular company or a specific employee for a unique wage requirement; rather, it sets a universal standard for a broad class of employment relationships.

• Example 3: City Building Codes

  A city ordinance mandates that all new residential construction projects must include smoke detectors in every bedroom and on each floor. This ordinance is of a general nature because it applies to all new residential construction projects within the city limits. It does not target a specific builder, a particular house, or a single neighborhood. Instead, it sets a uniform safety standard that applies generally to an entire category of building activity, ensuring consistent safety measures across the board.