enabling act

British  

noun

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

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Example Sentences

In 1889, President Grover Cleveland signed an enabling act paving the way for the Dakotas, Montana and Washington to become states.

From Washington Times • Feb. 22, 2021

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

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

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2016

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

In accordance with the enabling act of Congress, passed March 3, 1857, delegates were elected and met in convention at the capital on the second Monday of July, 1857.

From Fifty Years In The Northwest With An Introduction And Appendix Containing Reminiscences, Incidents And Notes by Folsom, William Henry Carman