What is a sunset law designed to do?

A sunset law is specifically designed to terminate an agency's authority or legislative enactments automatically after a predetermined period unless further legislative action is taken to extend that authority. This mechanism encourages periodic review and evaluation of governmental agencies and programs to assess their effectiveness, relevance, and efficiency in making use of taxpayer resources.

The purpose of such laws is to prevent agencies from becoming permanent fixtures without accountability, prompting legislative bodies to reconsider the need for an agency's continued existence. Sunset laws are intended to promote oversight and ensure that agencies do not operate indefinitely without justification.

In contrast, preventing new agencies from being created, ensuring ongoing funding, or limiting presidential powers does not capture the primary function of sunset laws. These options miss the essential role of sunset provisions in promoting accountability and regular assessment of governmental bodies.