The Difference Between Laws and RegulationsThe difference between laws (statutes) and regulations is sometimes misunderstood. Congress, and only Congress, enacts laws. The Motorboat Act of 1940, the Federal Boating Act of 1958 and the Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971 are all examples of laws which were enacted by Congress. Federal executive departments such as the Department of Homeland Security and administrative agencies such as the United States Coast Guard write regulations to implement the authority of laws. Regulations (as well as Executive Orders and Proclamations) are subordinate to laws but both laws and regulations are enforceable. For example, the requirement for a boat manufacturer to notify owners and recall, repair or replace defective boats Defect Notification appears in the laws (46 U.S.C. 4310). The regulations governing Defect Notification (33 CFR 179) are merely the reporting requirements, i.e., when the initial report and subsequent campaign update reports about progress must be submitted, what they must contain, etc. The United States Code and the Code of Federal RegulationsThe United States Code is the official compilation of codified laws by subject; the U.S. Statutes-at-Large is the official chronologic compilation of all laws; and the Code of Federal Regulations is the official compilation of regulations.
Federal LawsThe United States Code contains a consolidation and codification of the general and permanent laws of the United States arranged according to subject matter under 50 title headings, largely in alphabetical order. Federal RegulationsThe Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) codifies the general and permanent rules of Executive departments and agencies which have been published in the Federal Register. Coast Guard DirectivesUS Coast Guard Directives relevant to the administration of the Recreational Boating Safety Program State Boating LawsExamine the laws and regulations from your own state or territory. State GuidanceThis page contains program guidance to the States. Navigation RulesGet detailed information on the rules of the road. Federal Register - Proposed Regulations and other USCG ActionsFind information about proposed regulations, meetings, and other items of interest to the boating public. Vessel Determinations and Policy Letters |
|
