Sunset provisions

Arguments

Sunset provisions have been used extensively throughout legal history. The idea of general sunset provisions was discussed extensively in the late 1970s. Sunset clauses with an effective extension review process have been argued as a safeguard of democracy to ensure emergency provisions, such as state of emergency, remain temporary. An increase in electoral accountability can be achieved with brief reviews resulting in a majority of provisions extended with no or cosmetic modifications and a record who advocates for extending the provisions. Sunset clauses with automatic expiration can reduce legal certainty and circumvent long-term budget constraints and regulatory impact analysis. Experimental regulations can test temporarily new legislative approaches.