What is the test for relative and qualifying words in a statute?
The following excerpt is from SRI Eleven 1407 Broadway Operator LLC v. Mega Wear Inc., 144 N.Y.S.3d 289, 71 Misc.3d 779 (N.Y. Civ. Ct. 2021):
( 9 NYCRR 8.202.28 [emphasis and reformatting added]). "Under the last antecedent rule of statutory construction, relative and qualifying words or clauses in a statute are to be applied to the words or phrases immediately preceding, and are not to be construed as extending to others more remote ... unless some compelling reason appears why it should not be so construed" ( Colon v. Martin , 35 N.Y.3d 75, 78-79, 125 N.Y.S.3d 346, 149 N.E.3d 39 [2020] [emendations omitted]).
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