DELEGATION DOCTRINE
delegation doctrine.Constitutional law. The principle (based on the separation-of-powers
concept) limiting Congress’s ability to transfer its legislative power to another governmental
branch, esp. the executive branch. • Delegation is permitted only if Congress prescribes an
intelligible principle to guide an executive agency in making policy. — Also termed nondelegation
doctrine. [Cases: Constitutional Law 59. C.J.S. Constitutional Law §§ 137, 139.] [Blacks Law 8th]