What is classified as a federal question?

A federal question arises when a case involves issues that fall under the jurisdiction of federal law. This includes questions relating directly to the U.S. Constitution, federal statutes, or treaties made under its authority. Essentially, if a legal dispute is rooted in federal legal principles rather than state law, it constitutes a federal question.

Understanding this classification is crucial because federal questions generally allow for cases to be heard in federal court rather than state court. This serves to ensure that certain laws that apply uniformly across the country are interpreted and enforced consistently, thereby upholding the federal legal framework envisioned by the Constitution.

The other options do not meet the criteria of a federal question. Questions related to state laws are inherently local or state matters, while local ordinances are specific to municipalities and do not engage federal legal principles. Matters concerning federal agency procedures can sometimes touch on federal law, but they do not automatically qualify as federal questions unless they explicitly involve constitutional or statutory interpretations central to federal law.