National laws that direct state or local governments to comply with federal rules without providing funds are known as what?

The term used to describe national laws that require state or local governments to adhere to federal rules without accompanying funds is "unfunded mandates." These mandates impose obligations on lower levels of government, compelling them to implement specific policies or programs without the financial support necessary to do so. This situation often leads to debates about the balance of power between federal and state authorities, as states may struggle to comply due to lack of resources.

This concept is critical for understanding the relationship between federal and state governments. Unfunded mandates can create financial strains for local governments, which may have limited budgets and often rely on federal funding for many programs. It highlights the tension between mandates from the federal government and the autonomy of states and localities to manage their affairs, a central theme in federalism discussions.

The other options represent different concepts: federal mandates might include funded requirements, while state mandates refer to directives that individual states impose, and local directives relate to instructions given at the municipal level. Each of these carries a unique implication in the governance structure but does not accurately describe the specific arrangement of requiring compliance without funding.