Legal Question in Constitutional Law in Florida

legislation for the benefit of an individual

I seem to recall that legislation for the benefit of an individual is unconstitutional - what I do not recall is what this type of legislation is called?


Asked on 3/15/05, 10:13 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Edward Hoffman Law Offices of Edward A. Hoffman

Re: legislation for the benefit of an individual

Legislation *against* a particular individual is illegal, and such statutes are called bills of attainder.

I don't think there is a rule against legislation intended to benefit a particular person, and I note that both Congress and various state legislatures often vote to compensate individuals who have been injured by the government but who, for various reasons, have no right to damages. I don't know whether these actions take the form of actual legislation, but there is clear precedent that legislatures can act in some way for the benefit of one or more specific people.

Read more
Answered on 3/16/05, 5:55 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Constitutional Law questions and answers in Florida