Statutory laws are original laws that relate to civil or criminal matters that are enacted by a body legally authorized to pass laws. Congress enacts federal laws, state legislatures enact state laws, and city councils enact municipal ordinances. Case laws are usually derived from the precedent-setting opinions and decisions of appellate courts, which are binding on lower courts. Appellate cases are decided by federal and state appellate judges.
Appellate courts hear cases that are appealed from the lower trial courts.
Agencies also have the authority to conduct hearings, decide enforcement cases, and hear appeals and therefore establish orders that are applied as laws. Bills are read by title and assigned a number, for example, bill SR 510 or bill HR 11124. If a bill dies, it can be reintroduced in subsequent congressional sessions. SR 510 went initially to the Senate Committee on Commerce and then to the Committee on Labor and Public Welfare. HR 11124 went to the House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce.