Definition of Plenary Authority

What is the definition of the term Plenary Authority? What is meant by the term Plenary Authority?

The term Plenary Authority refers to the complete and absolute power granted to an individual or governing body to act on a particular matter without needing further approval or oversight. When authority is "plenary," it means it is full, unqualified, and not subject to limitations other than those explicitly stated in law.

In a governmental context, plenary authority often describes the scope of Congress's power under the U.S. Constitution, particularly in areas such as immigration, interstate commerce, and taxation. For example, Congress is said to have plenary authority over immigration policy - meaning it can set the rules, create exceptions, and enforce the framework without interference from the states.

The term also appears in administrative or corporate settings. A board of directors, for instance, might grant a CEO plenary authority to execute a merger or restructure operations, giving them the freedom to act decisively within the boundaries of that authorization.

In short, plenary authority means having the full legal power to make decisions and take actions within a defined scope - a rare form of unrestricted control in modern systems built on checks and balances.

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