Which term describes a rule enacted by a state agency to implement statutes?

• A. Administrative rule
• B. Constitutional amendment
• C. Judicial decision
• D. Statute

Answer: (A)

Administrative rules are rules created by a state agency under the authority of statutes to implement and enforce those statutes. They turn broad statutory requirements into specific, actionable standards, procedures, and timelines that must be followed. These rules carry the force of law within the agency’s domain and are developed through a formal rulemaking process, including notice and often public comment. They exist to operationalize statutes—e.g., detailing how inspections are conducted, what forms are used, and what penalties apply—so that the statutory intent is actually put into practice.

This differs from a constitutional amendment, which changes the state constitution itself; a judicial decision, which interprets laws and sets legal precedents; and a statute, which is the law enacted by the Legislature.