In public policy, a sunset provision is a specification in a law that terminates it after a specific date, unless further legislative action is taken to extend it.

Sunset provisions have been used extensively throughout American history. Some high-profile examples include:

Sedition Act of 1798: Part of The Alien and Sedition Acts, The Sedition Act was a political tool used by the John Adams administration to torment its opposition. In a politically astute move, the authors ensured the act would terminate at the end of Adams's term so that it could not be used by the opposition against his own party.

USA PATRIOT Act: Under §224 of the USA PATRIOT Act, several of the surveillance portions will expire on December 31, 2005.

Assault Weapons Ban: In 2004 the sunset provision of the assault weapons ban terminated the law. At the time, President George W. Bush was subject to considerable criticism for failing to urge Republicans in Congress to renew the ban.