← Legal Glossary

Administrative Procedure Act (APA)

Definition

A federal statute that establishes procedural requirements for agency action, including notice-and-comment rulemaking, and provides standards for judicial review of agency decisions. Agencies must follow APA procedures and their actions must not be arbitrary and capricious.

Examples

  • AT&T alleged that the FCC violated the APA by failing to adequately explain the reasoning behind its regulations

Related Terms