Definition
A clause automatically terminating a law after a specified period unless renewed, forcing periodic review. It's democracy's way of admitting that temporary solutions have a way of becoming permanent.
Example Usage
The surveillance authority included a sunset provision requiring congressional reauthorization every five years.
Origin
Legislative drafting term popularized in the 1970s during government reform efforts.
Fun Fact
Sunset provisions often backfire—controversial programs get automatically extended without debate because no politician wants to be blamed for their expiration, making them more permanent than laws without sunset clauses.
Source: Legislative drafting terminology
Related Terms
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