GENERAL LEGAL PRINCIPLES; STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION – General Principles

Single Topic for Decision 2819E

View all topics for Decision 2819E

Full Decision Text (click on the link to view): Full Text

The fundamental task in interpreting statutory language is ascertaining the Legislature’s intent so as to effectuate the purpose of the law. (Regents of the University of California (2021) PERB Decision No. 2755-H, p. 20.) When PERB interprets a statute, usually “we begin with its plain language, affording the words their ordinary and usual meaning.” (Santa Clara Valley Water District (2013) PERB Decision No. 2349-M, p. 16, citing Shady Tree Farms, LLC v. Omni Financial, LLC (2012) 206 Cal.App.4th 131, 137.) But when the statute itself gives the words a special meaning different from their ordinary and usual meaning, we must follow that special meaning. (Irvine Valley College Academic Senate v. South Orange County Community College Dist. (2005) 129 Cal.App.4th 1482, 1489.) If the terms of the statute are unambiguous, we assume the Legislature meant what it said; the plain meaning controls and there is nothing to interpret or construe. (State of California (Office of the Inspector General) (2019) PERB Decision No. 2660-S, p. 15.) Only when the statutory terms are ambiguous may we resort to extrinsic sources such as maxims of construction and legislative history to discern legislative intent. (Region 2 Court Interpreter Employment Relations Committee & California Superior Courts of Region 2 (2020) PERB Decision No. 2701-I, p. 33.) (pp. 24-25.)