Opinion ID: 2366553
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: NRS 332.185(1)'s statutory interpretation

Text: NRS Chapter 332 governs purchases made by local governments and requires that the purchases be completed through a competitive bidding process. See generally NRS 332.039. The disposal of government property, however, is governed by NRS 332.185, titled in part [s]ale of personal property of public entity. NRS 332.185(1) states: Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2 and NRS 244.1505 and 334.070, all sales of personal property of the local government must be made, as nearly as possible, under the same conditions and limitations as required by this chapter in the purchase of personal property. The governing body or its authorized representative may dispose of personal property of the local government by any manner, including, without limitation, at public auction, if the governing body or its authorized representative determines that the property is no longer required for public use and deems such action desirable and in the best interests of the local government. The construction of a statute is a question of law, which we review de novo. State, Dep't of Mtr. Vehicles v. Lovett, 110 Nev. 473, 476, 874 P.2d 1247, 1249 (1994). When a statute is clear and unambiguous, this court gives effect to the plain and ordinary meaning of the words and does not resort to the rules of construction. Seput v. Lacayo, 122 Nev. 499, 502, 134 P.3d 733, 735 (2006), abrogated on other grounds by Buzz Stew, LLC v. City of N. Las Vegas, 124 Nev. 224, 228 n. 6, 181 P.3d 670, 672 n. 6 (2008). Where a statute's language is ambiguous, however, the court must look to legislative history and rules of statutory interpretation to determine its meaning. Leven v. Frey, 123 Nev. 399, 404, 168 P.3d 712, 716 (2007). A statute's language is ambiguous when it is capable of more than one reasonable interpretation. Id. Internal conflict can also render a statute ambiguous. Law Offices of Barry Levinson v. Milko, 124 Nev. 355, 367, 184 P.3d 378, 387 (2008). The Legislature's intent is the primary consideration when interpreting an ambiguous statute. Cleghorn v. Hess, 109 Nev. 544, 548, 853 P.2d 1260, 1262 (1993). When construing an ambiguous statutory provision, this court determines the meaning of the words used in a statute by examining the context and the spirit of the law or the causes which induced the [Legislature to enact it. Leven, 123 Nev. at 405, 168 P.3d at 716 (internal quotation marks omitted). In conducting this analysis, [t]he entire subject matter and policy may be involved as an interpretive aid. Id. (internal quotation marks omitted). Accordingly, this court will consider the statute's multiple legislative provisions as a whole. Id. This court has a duty to construe statutes as a whole, so that all provisions are considered together and, to the extent practicable, reconciled and harmonized. Id. ; Southern Nev. Homebuilders v. Clark County, 121 Nev. 446, 449, 117 P.3d 171, 173 (2005). In addition, the court will not render any part of the statute meaningless, and will not read the statute's language so as to produce absurd or unreasonable results. Leven, 123 Nev. at 405, 168 P.3d at 716. Orion argues that the statute's plain language allows a local government to dispose of its personal property by any manner. UMC argues that the plain language of NRS 332.185 demands adherence to competitive bidding requirements for the sale of personal property. UMC focuses on the mandatory language contained in the first sentence of the statute, which provides that  all sales of personal property of the local government must be made, as nearly as possible, under the same conditions and limitations as required by this chapter in the purchase of personal property. NRS 332.185(1) (emphases added). Both parties contend that NRS 332.185(1) can be interpreted according to its plain language. UMC and Orion assert that the statute's first sentence mandates competitive bidding and the second sentence provides an exception to using the competitive bidding process; they disagree as to which sentence controls in this situation. UMC and Orion's interpretation of the statute is reasonable. Because the statute's language is capable of more than one reasonable interpretation, we conclude that NRS 332.185(1) is ambiguous. However, in considering the statute's plain language, we conclude that the statute's second sentence cannot be read as an exception to the first sentence. To do so would render the first sentence meaningless. Thus, the internal conflict also renders NRS 332.185(1) ambiguous. Because the statute is ambiguous, we must look to the legislative history and harmonize the two provisions to give all the words meaning.