What is the difference between federal, state and local law?

The United States is a country that is governed by both federal and state laws. Federal laws are laws that are created by the U.S. government and are applicable to all states. State laws, on the other hand, are laws that are created by the individual state governments and applied only to that state. Local laws, also known as municipal laws, are laws that are created by local governments such as counties, cities, and towns and are applicable only to a specific area. In Hawaii, local government law is a branch of state law that governs the relationship between the state and the local governments within the state. Local laws are the rules and regulations that define the rights and responsibilities of local governments, such as municipalities, counties, and other special districts. These laws typically include topics such as taxation, zoning, public works, and public health. Federal law is supreme over both state and local laws. That means that if there is a conflict between federal law and a state or local law, the federal law will take precedence. However, state and local governments generally have the authority to regulate matters that are not regulated by the federal government. In summary, federal law is made at the national level and applies throughout the U.S., including Hawaii. State law is made at the state level and is specific to Hawaii. Local law is made at the local level and applies only to certain cities, counties, and other special districts. All three types of laws have the potential to conflict with each other, but federal law takes precedence in the case of such conflicts.

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