sunset law
Self-terminating legislation
A sunset law is legislation that automatically expires on a specified date unless renewed by the legislature.
The term comes from the sun setting on the law's effectiveness.
Sunset provisions force periodic review of government programs, agencies, or regulations: The surveillance authority operates under a sunset law requiring reauthorization every five years.
Also called a sunset clause or sunset provision.
- expiration dateFinal day of validity
- reauthorizationExtending expired legal authority
- renewalsActs of extending agreements
- use it or lose itMaintain through practice or decline
- statute of limitationsLegal deadline for claims
legislative oversight · democratic oversight · checks and balances · cost-benefit analysis · performance metrics