Opinion ID: 2508217
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Interpretation of K.S.A. 75-2949f(a)

Text: KSU argues that the Court of Appeals misapplied K.S.A. 75-2949f(a) by interpreting the terms gross misconduct and conduct grossly unbecoming a state officer and thereby making a single standard applicable to all cases. It contends that this approach usurps the role delegated to the Board by the legislature to determine the reasonableness of the employer's decision on a case-by-case basis. Jones argues the definition provided by the Court of Appeals majority is entirely reasonable and urges this court to adopt the Court of Appeals' reasoning on this issue in its entirety. As the legislature has not expressly defined these terms, this issue involves the interpretation of a statute that is a question of law over which appellate courts exercise unlimited review. Cooper v. Werholtz, 277 Kan. 250, 252, 83 P.3d 1212 (2004). The fundamental rule of statutory construction is that the intent of the legislature governs if that intent can be ascertained. In determining legislative intent, courts are not limited to consideration of the language used in the statute but may look to the historical background of the enactment, the circumstances attending its passage, the purpose to be accomplished, and the effect the statute might have under the various constructions suggested. In construing statutes, the legislative intent is to be determined from a general consideration of the entire act. Board of Lincoln County Comm'rs v. Nielander, 275 Kan. 257, 265, 62 P.3d 247 (2003).