What is defined as the authority or power to enact laws?

The correct choice, jurisdiction, refers specifically to the authority or power a governing body has to enact laws within a certain territory or over specific legal matters. Jurisdiction encompasses the legal boundaries under which laws can be made and enforced, and it defines the scope of power for various legal entities, such as courts or legislative bodies.

In this context, legislation describes the process of enacting laws rather than the authority to do so. Governance refers to the broader system or manner in which a state or organization is managed, which includes the establishment of laws but is not solely focused on law-making authority. Power is a more general term that encompasses various forms of influence and control, not strictly limited to legal authority or the enactment of laws.