Chapter 438 Oregon Laws 2001

AN ACT

HB 3677

Relating to the construction of statutes; creating new provisions; amending ORS 174.020; and declaring an emergency.

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

SECTION 1. ORS 174.020 is amended to read:

174.020. (1)(a) In the construction of a statute, a court shall pursue the intention of the legislature [is to be pursued] if possible[; and].

(b) To assist a court in its construction of a statute, a party may offer the legislative history of the statute.

(2) When a general and particular provision are inconsistent, the latter is paramount to the former[.] so that a particular intent [shall control] controls a general [one] intent that is inconsistent with [it] the particular intent.

(3) A court may limit its consideration of legislative history to the information that the parties provide to the court. A court shall give the weight to the legislative history that the court considers to be appropriate.

SECTION 2. The amendments to ORS 174.020 by section 1 of this 2001 Act apply to actions commenced on or after the effective date of this 2001 Act.

SECTION 3. This 2001 Act being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is declared to exist, and this 2001 Act takes effect on its passage.

Approved by the Governor June 18, 2001

Filed in the office of Secretary of State June 18, 2001

Effective date June 18, 2001

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