GENERAL LEGAL PRINCIPLES; STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION – General Principles

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The fundamental task in statutory construction is ascertaining the intent of the Legislature so as to effectuate the purpose of the law. The Board first examines the statutory language, giving words their usual and ordinary meaning. If the terms of the statute are unambiguous, we assume the Legislature meant what it said; the plain meaning of the language controls and there is nothing to interpret or construe. “The words of the statute must be construed in context, keeping in mind the statutory purpose, and statutes or statutory sections relating to the same subject must be harmonized, both internally and with each other, to the extent possible.” [Citation.] If the statutory terms are ambiguous, then we may resort to extrinsic sources, including the purpose of the statute and the legislative history. (pp. 15-16.)