Opinion ID: 2221968
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Legal Definition.

Text: In determining legislative intent we look not only to the ordinary meaning of words, but particular meaning in the law. State v. White, 563 N.W.2d 615, 617 (Iowa 1997). We endeavor to construe statutory language consistent with case law. Sourbier v. State, 498 N.W.2d 720, 723 (Iowa 1993). The Board asserts that the legislature intended the phrase control of and responsible for to include off-site entities who maintain control of the on-site operations of the tank through the ability to terminate a supply of gasoline and debrand a station for using another brand of gasoline or failing to pay for the gasoline. Thus, the Board asserts the definition of operator includes an oil refiner or supplier based on its relationship with the on-site operator of the tank. When our case law uses the word control in the context suggested by the Board, we not only consider the actual exercise of control but the right or authority to control. See LaFleur v. LaFleur, 452 N.W.2d 406, 408 (Iowa 1990). Yet, our cases define the right to control to mean the right to control the means of performance, not the end result of the performance. Daggett v. Nebraska E. Express, Inc., 252 Iowa 341, 348, 107 N.W.2d 102, 107 (1961); 41 Am.Jur.2d Independent Contractor § 12, at 409 (1995). A person who employs another person necessarily reserves some degree of control to ensure the work is done according to the plan, without exercising the type of control that results in liability. See Hassebroch v. Weaver Constr. Co., 246 Iowa 622, 632, 67 N.W.2d 549, 555 (1954). Thus, the control which relates to authority to terminate the relationship when certain basic conditions are not met, such as unsatisfactory performance, is not the type of control which gives rise to liability. See Teeters v. City of Des Moines, 173 Iowa 473, 483, 154 N.W. 317, 320 (1915). We believe our legislature had this same concept of control in mind in defining an operator under the Tank Fund Act. The statute specifically ties the control and responsibility to the daily operation of the tank, and the control exercised by Mobil was far removed from the daily operation of the tank. Instead, it related to circumstances that were fundamental to its business relationship with all distributors and retail sellers of its gasoline. The control retained by Mobil did not pertain to the daily operation of a tank system, but the integrity of the product name for the protection of all other Mobil trademark stations. This type of control does not impose vicarious liability in the law.