美国行政规则的禁止追溯既往及其例外

法不溯及既往作为法的重要原则由来已久,但该原则也存在一些例外。根据美国宪法上正当程序的要求,禁止行政机关在公众不知情的情况下适用溯及既往的规则。从美国的司法实践看,允许行政机关在国会明确授权的情形下制定溯及既往的行政规则。甚至,有时在国会授权不甚明确的情况下也允许行政规则的溯及既往。行政机关制定溯及既往的行政规则不能损害公众的重要权利,且必须符合国会的立法意图。同时,非立法性规则和程序性规则不受溯及既往原则的限制。

The Prohibition of Retroactivity and Its Exceptions to U.S.Administrative Rules

The law has not retrospective effect as an important principle of law for a long time,but there are some exceptions to the principle.As required by due process in the U.S.constitution,the executive branch is prohibited from applying the rules of retroactivity without the public’s knowledge.From the judicial practice of the United States,the executive branch is allowed to make administrative rules that go back to the past when authorized by congress.Even in cases where congressional mandates are unclear,administrative rules are sometimes allowed to go back in time.The administrative organs’decision to make retroactive administrative rules must not harm the important rights of the public and must conform to the legislative intent of congress.At the same time,non-legislative and procedural rules are not limited by the principle of retroactivity.