Final answer:
An unfunded mandate is a comparison benchmark that is mandated by a governing agency and noncompliance may lead to legal penalties. It is a federal law or regulation that imposes obligations on state and local governments without fully compensating them. Noncompliance can result in punishments such as reduction or suspension of federal grants, prosecution of officials, fines, or a combination of these penalties.
Step-by-step explanation:
A comparison benchmark that is mandated by a governing agency and noncompliance of which may lead to legal penalties is known as an unfunded mandate.
Unfunded mandates are federal laws and regulations that impose obligations on state and local governments without fully compensating them for the administrative costs they incur. These mandates are commonly used by the federal government to promote national objectives in policy areas such as the environment, civil rights, education, and homeland security.
Noncompliance with unfunded mandates can result in punishments such as reduction or suspension of federal grants, prosecution of officials, fines, or a combination of these penalties.