ORS 174.020 Legislative intent; general and particular provisions; consideration of legislative history

In the construction of a statute, a court shall pursue the intention of the legislature if possible.

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

When a general provision and a particular provision are inconsistent, the latter is paramount to the former so that a particular intent controls a general intent that is inconsistent with the particular intent.

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.