Opinion ID: 2046794
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Governing Principles of Statutory Construction.

Text: The primary rule of statutory interpretation is to give effect to the intention of the legislature. State v. Casey's Gen. Stores, Inc., 587 N.W.2d 599, 601 (Iowa 1998). We presume that when the legislature enacts a statute that it intends [a] just and reasonable result. Iowa Code § 4.4(3). Accordingly, the court interprets statutes so as to avoid absurd results. See State v. Ceron, 573 N.W.2d 587, 590 (Iowa 1997). In addition, we construe statutes that relate to the same or a closely allied subject together so as to produce a harmonious and consistent body of legislation. Casey's Gen. Stores, 587 N.W.2d at 601.