Legal Definitions - legislative-equivalency doctrine

The legislative-equivalency doctrine is a rule that states that a law can only be changed or removed through the same procedures that were used to create it. This means that if a law was passed through a certain process, any changes to that law must also go through that same process.

For example, if a law was passed by a vote of the legislature, any changes to that law must also be passed by a vote of the legislature. This ensures that the process for changing laws is fair and consistent.

Another example is the United States Constitution. The Constitution can only be amended through a specific process outlined in Article V. This process requires a two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress or a convention called for by two-thirds of the state legislatures, followed by ratification by three-fourths of the states. This ensures that any changes to the Constitution are made through a fair and consistent process.

The legislative-equivalency doctrine is important because it helps to maintain the integrity of the lawmaking process. It ensures that laws are not changed or removed without proper consideration and debate, and that any changes are made through a fair and consistent process.