What does "plenary power" refer to?

"Plenary power" refers to power that is granted to a legislative body without limitations, meaning that the body has full and complete authority to legislate in a particular area. This authority is not restricted by any external constraints or regulations, allowing the body to enact laws and make decisions as it sees fit within its jurisdiction.

In the context of government, plenary power is often applied to state legislatures, which can exercise their legislative functions broadly unless explicitly limited by the constitution or higher law. This concept is significant in understanding the scope of legislative authority and the autonomy of governing bodies to address various issues as they deem necessary.

The other options highlight different aspects of power but do not align with the definition of plenary power. For instance, power limited by regulations describes a situation where authority is constrained by rules or laws, which contradicts the essence of plenary power. The notion of a specific type of judicial review refers to the process by which courts examine the actions of legislative or executive bodies, and authority specific to local governments relates to the powers granted to lower levels of government, which may not encompass the full range of plenary powers seen at the state or federal level.