What are reserved powers?

Reserved powers refer specifically to the rights and powers that are not delegated to the federal government nor prohibited to the states by the Constitution. According to the Tenth Amendment, any powers that are not specifically given to the federal government are reserved for the states. This means that states have the authority to regulate matters such as education, local law enforcement, and public health, which can differ significantly from state to state according to their unique needs and preferences.

In contrast, options discussing federal powers or shared powers misrepresent the definition. The federal government's unique powers, such as the ability to declare war or regulate interstate commerce, do not fall under reserved powers, but rather they are explicitly outlined in the Constitution. Shared powers, on the other hand, refer to areas where both federal and state governments have authority, like taxation or law enforcement, which does not relate to the concept of reserved powers. Therefore, option B accurately identifies reserved powers as those specific to the states and not granted to the federal level.