What is the relationship between the Florida State Statutes and the Florida Administrative Code?

The Florida Administrative Code (FAC) is a set of rules and regulations created by state agencies to carry out the laws established by the Florida State Statutes. The relationship is foundational, as the FAC derives its authority directly from the statutes; it provides the specifics necessary for the effective implementation and enforcement of those laws. Essentially, while the statutes outline the legal framework and general principles, the FAC details the procedures, standards, and guidelines that entities must follow to comply with those laws.

The other responses present a misunderstanding of this relationship; for example, suggesting that the FAC operates independently of statutes overlooks the fact that statutory authority is essential for creating administrative rules. Similarly, the idea that statutes override provisions in the FAC oversimplifies the relationship, as it is not merely a matter of one taking precedence over the other, but rather that FAC is shaped by and must adhere to the statutes they are based on. Finally, the assertion that the FAC is primarily managed by local authorities misrepresents the nature of the administrative code, which is governed and implemented on a state level by designated state agencies.