Fast track
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NOTE: This does not refer to the type of case used under English Law of the same name.
Fast track refers to the practice of making use of a process which is accelerated in comparison to the one in typical use. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the term's first published use was in an April 1976 Business Week article, where it referred to the construction industry's practice of beginning construction before design was complete.
In Ecuador, economic legislation can be fast-tracked by declaring it an emergency bill. Such a bill, sent by the President to Congress, automatically becomes law after thirty days if it is not voted down by Congress. Important bills have slipped through this way, including the August 2000 'Law to Promote Investment and Citizen Participation', later declared partially unconstitutional.
Fast track has more narrow meanings with respect to the federal government of the United States.
- Fast track (trade), for trade agreements, referring to the authority that the President has to negotiate agreements that Congress can approve or disapprove but cannot amend. It was in effect from 1975 to 1994 and led to the adoption of the North American Free Trade Agreement. It was restored in 2002 by the Trade Act of 2002.
- FDA Fast Track Development Program
"Fast track surgery" refers to a trend of shortening the hospital stay of patients undergoing various kind of surgery through introducing critical evidence-based clinical pathways of perioperative management.
