What is the test for "plain meaning" construction of a statute?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from Save Mart Stores v. Workers' Comp. Appeals Bd., 3 Cal.App.4th 720, 4 Cal.Rptr.2d 597 (Cal. App. 1992):

"The plain meaning of a statute should be followed where its language is clear and unambiguous. [Citation.] 'We give effect to statutes according to the usual, ordinary import of the language employed in framing them. When statutory language is clear and unambiguous there is no need for construction, and courts should not indulge in it.' " (California Eye Institute v. Superior Court (1989) 215 Cal.App.3d 1477, 1481, 264 Cal.Rptr. 83.)

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