Most state statutes are organized by subject matter and published in books referred to as codes. This word is used in contradistinction to the common law.
Statutes acquire their force from the time of their passage unless otherwise provided.
It is a general rule that when the provision of a statute is general, everything which is necessary to make such provision effectual is supplied by the common law and when a power is given by statute, everything necessary for making it effectual is given by implication. Private statutes may be rendered public by being so declared by the legislature. Declaratory or remedial. A declaratory statute is one which is passed in order to put an end to a doubt as to what the common law is, and which declares what it is, and has ever been. Remedial statutes are those which are made to supply such defects, and abridge such superfluities in the common law as may have been discovered.