What is the difference between statute and regulation?

Answer 1

statutes are passed by legislatures. Administrative agencies adopt, repeal and amend regulations under the authority granted to them by statutes.

Answer 2

Statutes are the actual provisions set forth as the laws enacted by the Legislature (at the federal level, the U.S. Congress). Regulations are guidance that have the force of law that describe how statutes are to be executed and enforced by the Executive.

While statutes are debated, considered and enacted by the Congress, regulations are debated, considered and promulgated by administrative rulemaking bodies, these having been provided for in statute. In some cases, administrative tribunals perform an adjudicatory function subject to judicial review by the judiciary, if necessary.

At the federal level, the body of statutory law is contained in and called the United States Code. The regulations promulgated thereunder are contained in the Code of Federal Regulations. While rules do have the force of law, they have such arising from enabling legislation enacted in statute--which are, in turn, enacted by the legislature according to the relevant Constitution.

For example, the Internal Revenue Code is Title 26 of the United States Code. The Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder are Title 26 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Sometimes, however, rules promulgated under a Title of the United States Code are promulgated separately. For instance, while the Bankruptcy Code is Title 11 of the United States Code, the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure are not Title 11 of the Code of Federal Regulations (Title 11 of the CFR pertains to federal elections) but are promulgated separately.