What is the primary role of administrative agencies?

The primary role of administrative agencies is to enforce existing laws. These agencies are established by legislative bodies and are empowered to implement specific statutes passed by these bodies. They play a crucial role in the regulatory landscape by translating legislative intent into actionable policies and regulations.

Administrative agencies carry out enforcement through various means, such as monitoring compliance with laws, overseeing regulated industries, conducting inspections, and administering fines or penalties when violations occur. They often have the authority to create rules that provide specifics on how laws will be applied and enforced, which is essential for the practical execution of legislative mandates.

While administrative agencies may engage in research to inform policy-making or regulatory measures, their fundamental function revolves around enforcement of the laws that govern various sectors, from environmental regulations to labor laws. They do not create legislation—that power rests with the legislative branch—and providing judicial advice is outside their scope, as their role is not to interpret laws in the context of resolving disputes, which is the function of the judicial branch.