Opinion ID: 1966812
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Reenactment of Statutory Language After Pyne

Text: The RHC's interpretation of the term building or structure in the Commission's second reconsideration decision allowing the term housing accommodation to encompass multi-building complexes actually was originally adopted by the Commission in the Pyne case in 1977. In Pyne, a number of physical and nonphysical factors supported the ruling that more than one building comprised the housing accommodation. The physical factors were that the buildings were the same size and style, were constructed at the same time, had similar facilities, a single maintenance crew, and shared one heating and hot water plant. With regard to nonphysical factors, the buildings were owned and managed by a single landlord and their income expenses and assessments were combined and treated as one in the landlord's rate of return. In addition, the buildings could not be sold separately without substantial capital improvement. Moreover, a review of the existing rent structure did not suggest that rents in one building were consistently higher. The Commission concluded that, where such physical and nonphysical facts validate comparability it defeats the purpose of Section 208 to consider the two buildings as separate housing accommodations. While that interpretation was outstanding, the Council reenacted essentially identical statutory language. [R]eenactment of a statute without change in its language indicates approval of interpretations rendered prior to the reenactment.... [I]f the court interprets a statute and the legislature fails to take action to change that interpretation, it is presumed that the legislature has acquiesced in the court's interpretation.  2A SUTHERLAND ON STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION, § 45.12, at 55 (Sands 4th ed. 1985) (emphasis added; footnotes omitted). [2] The construction of a statute by those charged with its execution should be followed unless there are compelling indications that it is wrong, especially when the legislative body has refused to alter the statutory language to contradict that administrative construction. Red Lion Broadcasting, Co. v. FCC, 395 U.S. 367, 89 S.Ct. 1794, 23 L.Ed.2d 371 (1969). The Council's reenactment of essentially identical statutory language is a clear signal of acquiescence in the Commission's interpretation in the Pyne decision.