Opinion ID: 2270855
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Pertinent Principles of Sound Statutory Construction

Text: The cardinal rule of statutory interpretation is to ascertain and effectuate the real and actual intent of the Legislature. Bd. of Educ. v. Zimmer-Rubert, 409 Md. 200, 214, 973 A.2d 233, 241 (2009); In re Najasha B., 409 Md. 20, 27, 972 A.2d 845, 849 (2009). A court's primary goal in interpreting statutory language is to discern the legislative purpose, the ends to be accomplished, or the evils to be remedied by the statutory provision under scrutiny. Anderson v. Council of Unit Owners, 404 Md. 560, 571, 948 A.2d 11, 18 (2008); People's Ins. Counsel Div. v. Allstate Ins. Co., 408 Md. 336, 351, 969 A.2d 971, 979-80 (2009); Barbre v. Pope, 402 Md. 157, 172, 935 A.2d 699, 708 (2007); Dep't of Health & Mental Hygiene v. Kelly, 397 Md. 399, 419-20, 918 A.2d 470, 482 (2007); Gen. Motors Corp. v. Seay, 388 Md. 341, 352, 879 A.2d 1049, 1055 (2005). To ascertain the intent of the General Assembly, we begin with the normal, plain meaning of the language of the statute. Zimmer-Rubert, 409 Md. at 214, 973 A.2d at 241; Allstate, 408 Md. at 351, 969 A.2d at 980; Anderson, 404 Md. at 571, 948 A.2d at 18; Allen v. State, 402 Md. 59, 76, 935 A.2d 421, 431 (2007); Barbre, 402 Md. at 172, 935 A.2d at 708; Kelly, 397 Md. at 420, 918 A.2d at 482. If the language of the statute is unambiguous and clearly consistent with the statute's apparent purpose, our inquiry as to legislative intent ends ordinarily and we apply the statute as written, without resort to other rules of construction. Zimmer-Rubert, 409 Md. at 214-15, 973 A.2d at 241-42; In re Najasha B., 409 Md. at 27, 972 A.2d at 849; Allstate, 408 Md. at 351, 969 A.2d at 980; Anderson, 404 Md. at 572, 948 A.2d at 19; Barbre, 402 Md. at 174, 935 A.2d at 708-09; Kelly, 397 Md. at 419, 918 A.2d at 482. We neither add nor delete language so as to reflect an intent not evidenced in the plain and unambiguous language of the statute, and we do not construe a statute with forced or subtle interpretations that limit or extend its application. Lonaconing Trap Club, Inc. v. Dep't of Env't, 410 Md. 326, 339, 978 A.2d 702, 709 (2009); Liverpool, 369 Md. at 316-17, 799 A.2d at 1271 (2002); Curran v. Price, 334 Md. 149, 172, 638 A.2d 93, 105 (1994); Amal. Cas. Ins. Co. v. Helms, 239 Md. 529, 535, 212 A.2d 311, 316 (1965). We, however, do not read statutory language in a vacuum, nor do we confine strictly our interpretation of a statute's plain language to the isolated section alone. Anderson, 404 Md. at 572, 948 A.2d at 19; Drew v. First Guar. Mort. Corp., 379 Md. 318, 327, 842 A.2d 1, 6 (2003); Blondell v. Balt. City Police Dep't, 341 Md. 680, 691, 672 A.2d 639, 645 (1996); Comptroller v. John C. Louis Co., 285 Md. 527, 538, 404 A.2d 1045, 1052-53 (1979). Rather, the plain language must be viewed within the context of the statutory scheme to which it belongs, considering the purpose, aim, or policy of the Legislature in enacting the statute. Anderson, 404 Md. at 572, 948 A.2d at 19; Comptroller v. Phillips, 384 Md. 583, 591, 865 A.2d 590, 594 (2005); Harvey, 389 Md. at 290, 884 A.2d at 1199; Blondell, 341 Md. at 691, 672 A.2d at 645. We presume that the Legislature intends its enactments to operate together as a consistent and harmonious body of law, and, thus, we seek to reconcile and harmonize the parts of a statute, to the extent possible consistent with the statute's object and scope. Harvey, 389 Md. at 290, 884 A.2d at 1199; Liverpool, 369 Md. at 316-17, 799 A.2d at 1271; Curran, 334 Md. at 172, 638 A.2d at 104; John C. Louis Co., 285 Md. at 538-39, 404 A.2d at 1053. Where the words of a statute are ambiguous and subject to more than one reasonable interpretation, or where the words are clear and unambiguous when viewed in isolation, but become ambiguous when read as part of a larger statutory scheme, a court must resolve the ambiguity by searching for legislative intent in other indicia, including the history of the legislation or other relevant sources intrinsic and extrinsic to the legislative process. In re Najasha B., 409 Md. at 27, 972 A.2d at 849; Allstate, 408 Md. at 351, 969 A.2d at 979-80; Anderson, 404 Md. at 572, 948 A.2d at 19; Barbre, 402 Md. at 173, 935 A.2d at 709; Kelly, 397 Md. at 419-20, 918 A.2d at 482. In resolving ambiguities, a court considers the structure of the statute, how it relates to other laws, its general purpose, and the relative rationality and legal effect of various competing constructions. In re Najasha B., 409 Md. at 27, 972 A.2d at 849; Liverpool, 369 Md. at 316-17, 799 A.2d at 1271; Chesapeake Charter, Inc. v. Bd. of Educ., 358 Md. 129, 135, 747 A.2d 625, 628 (2000); Curran, 334 Md. at 172, 638 A.2d at 104. In every case, the statute must be given a reasonable interpretation, not one that is absurd, illogical, or incompatible with common sense. Zimmer-Rubert, 409 Md. at 214, 973 A.2d at 241; Anderson, 404 Md. at 571, 948 A.2d at 18; Barbre, 402 Md. at 172, 935 A.2d at 708.