Also known as: uniform laws · uniform act · uniform acts · model law · model act · uniform code
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A model statute drafted for adoption by state legislatures in identical form to promote consistency in state law across jurisdictions.
Ulf Ulfsson operates a failing business across three states and files for bankruptcy. Congress has exercised its authority to enact a single set of rules governing debtor-creditor relations nationwide. The court applies those rules to determine the treatment of Ulf's assets and discharge his debts without variation by state.
Uri Underwood owns a small bakery in a state that has enacted a uniform religious freedom statute. Local officials deny a permit citing a neutral zoning rule. The court measures the denial against the uniform act's strict scrutiny standard and orders the permit issued.
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Uriah Urban's tribe seeks to enforce a gaming compact against State officials. The state legislature had adopted the uniform provisions governing such compacts. The court upholds the tribe's claim by applying the uniform language that binds both sovereigns.
Uriel Urban runs for Congress after voters in his state adopted a uniform term-limits measure. State election officials disqualify him under the new rule. The court invalidates the disqualification because the uniform state measure conflicts with federal constitutional qualifications.
Usman Uddin and his wife enter a gestational surrogacy arrangement under a uniform parentage act adopted by their state. After birth the surrogate asserts parental rights. The court applies the uniform act's intent-of-parties test and declares the intended parents the legal parents.
Urban Utley sues a debtor in bankruptcy court over a state-law contract claim. The debtor moves to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction. The court applies the uniform jurisdictional boundaries set by Congress and dismisses the claim as outside the bankruptcy court's authority.
A uniform law is drafted so that every adopting state enacts the identical text. This produces consistent rules on the same subject across state lines and reduces conflicts when parties or property cross borders.
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The National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws prepares the model statutes. Commissioners from each state review and approve the final text before it is offered to legislatures for adoption.
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States are free to modify or reject any uniform act. Many do enact the text without change to preserve the goal of uniformity, but variations are common and can undermine the intended consistency.
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A uniform law is state legislation that happens to be identical across jurisdictions. A federal statute is enacted by Congress and applies nationwide under federal authority. Uniform laws operate only within each adopting state's borders.
…Identical provisions appear in the Evidence Ordinance of Ceylon, enacted in 1895.[^maj-61] Similarly, in our country the Uniform Code of Military Justice has long provided that no suspect may be interrogated without first being warned of his right not to make a statement and that any statement he makes may be used against…