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enabling act

British  

noun

  1. a legislative act conferring certain specified powers on a person or organization

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

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In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed an enabling act paving the way for Virginia’s western counties to become the state of West Virginia, which took place in June 1863.

From Washington Times • Dec. 31, 2020

If and when Congress chooses, it passes an enabling act, an act directing the people of the territory to frame a proposed State constitution.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2016

Each adopted a proposed constitution without waiting for an enabling act, Hawaii in 1950 and Alaska in 1956.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2016

Gurich notes a similar provision was included in Oklahoma’s federal enabling act in 1906.

From Washington Times • Aug. 4, 2015

But that is a mere usage, resorted to when Congress has not thought proper to pass what is called an enabling act.

From Presidential Candidates: containing Sketches, Biographical, Personal and Political, of Prominent Candidates for the Presidency in 1860 by Bartlett, D. W.