What is the test for determining the meaning of a statute?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from Valtierra v. Weng's Enters., Inc., G051837 (Cal. App. 2016):

"'Our fundamental task in construing a statute is to ascertain the intent of the lawmakers so as to effectuate the purpose of the statute. [Citation.] We begin by examining the statutory language, giving the words their usual and ordinary meaning. [Citation.] If there is no ambiguity, then we presume the lawmakers meant what they said, and the plain meaning of the language governs.'" (Whitney v. Montegut (2014) 222 Cal.App.4th 906, 911-912.)

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