Chapter 1 Introduction CHAPTER OVERVIEW Chapter 1 provides an introduction to administrative law. Administrative regulation is omnipresent in American life. The high level of regulation is likely the result of many factors, such as technological complexity, increases in population, and an increased interdependence of the members of the American family. As a field of law, administrative law is concerned with defining the duties and powers of administrative agencies. More important, administrative law also defines the limits of agency powers. Most agency structure and authority are defined by statute or executive order. Limitations on agency authority can be found in statutes, executive orders, and, most prominently, the Constitution. CHAPTER OBJECTIVES After completing this chapter, the student should be able to • Define what administrative law is and isn’t. • Identify and distinguish the sources of administrative law in the United States. • Describe the nature and complexity of the administrative state at the federal, state, and local levels. • Distinguish agencies using the models presented in the chapter. • Identify the most significant factors that have contributed to the growth of the administrative state in the United States. • Extrapolate from the presented material several examples of how agencies impact your daily life. LECTURE OUTLINE 1.1 ADMINISTRATIVE LAW DEFINED • Body of law developed to control and administer agency’s behavior and function • Administrative law defines agency’s o Powers o Limitations