What characteristic of independent regulatory agencies empowers them to interpret their own regulations?

Independent regulatory agencies have a quasi-judicial characteristic that empowers them to interpret their own regulations. This means that these agencies possess a level of judicial authority, allowing them to make determinations effectively similar to a court when it comes to interpreting the laws and regulations within their jurisdiction.

This quasi-judicial power enables them to conduct hearings, make factual findings, and issue rulings based on their interpretations of regulations. It plays an essential role in upholding regulatory compliance and enforcing standards, as the agencies themselves have the expertise and specialized knowledge necessary to navigate the complexities of the regulations they administer.

The other characteristics listed do not grant regulatory agencies the same authority to interpret their regulations. While executive characteristics often relate to implementing and enforcing laws, legislative attributes pertain to the creation of regulations and laws themselves, and administrative characteristics generally involve the management operations of the agencies. In contrast, quasi-judicial characteristics specifically facilitate the autonomous interpretation of rules, which is crucial for effectively managing and adjudicating compliance matters.