Concurrent powers are powers of a
federal state
A federation (also known as a federal state) is a political entity characterized by a union of partially self-governing provinces, states, or other regions under a central federal government ( federalism). In a federation, the self-governi ...
that are shared by both the federal government and each constituent political unit, such as a state or province. These powers may be exercised simultaneously within the same territory, in relation to the same body of citizens, and regarding the same subject-matter.
[Scardino, Frank. ]
The Complete Idiot's Guide to U.S. Government and Politics
', p. 31 (Penguin 2009). Concurrent powers are contrasted with
reserved powers
Reserved powers, residual powers, or residuary powers are the powers that are neither prohibited nor explicitly given by law to any organ of government. Such powers, as well as general power of competence, are given because it is impractical to d ...
(not possessed by the federal government) and with
exclusive federal powers
Exclusive federal powers are powers within a federal system of government that each constituent political unit (such as a state or province) is absolutely or conditionally prohibited from exercising.Scardino, Frank. The Complete Idiot's Guide to ...
(forbidden to be possessed by the states, or requiring federal permission).
Federal law is supreme and so, it may pre-empt a state or provincial law in case of conflict. Concurrent powers can therefore be divided into two kinds: those not generally subject to federal pre-emption, such as the power to tax private citizens, and other concurrent powers.
In the United States, examples of the concurrent powers shared by both the federal and the state governments include the powers to tax, power to spend, and create lower courts.
The Encyclopedia of the America Constitution
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References
Federalism
Constitutional law
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