The legislature generally relies on administrative agencies to actually carry out the basic goals of the statutes. The authority of the administrative agencies is limited by the legislature. As an example, the legislature might decide to regulate the use of certain pesticides. It might pass a statute that broadly outlines acceptable pesticide uses or prohibitions on pesticide use. Then an agency, in this case, the Environmental Protection Agency, would make rules about when, by whom, and in what quantities the pesticide may be applied.
Agencies typically enforce their rules by requiring permits or licenses.
They enforce their rules through both criminal and civil penalties. If an agency discovers someone violating a statute or a rule that person could be fined or charged with a crime. Criminal penalties are considered very harsh, and are seldom used, except as a last resort for repeated or flagrant violations. Other federal statutes affect management of specific wastes or types of disposal. Both are members of the Florida Bar.