4.6 Ambiguous statutes — interpretation.
If a statute is ambiguous, the court, in determining the intention of the legislature, may consider among other matters:
1. The object sought to be attained.
2. The circumstances under which the statute was enacted.
3. The legislative history.
4. The common law or former statutory provisions, including laws upon the same or similar subjects.
5. The consequences of a particular construction.
6. The administrative construction of the statute.
7. The preamble or statement of policy.
[C73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §4.6]
Structure Iowa Code
Title I - STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND MANAGEMENT
Chapter 4 - CONSTRUCTION OF STATUTES
Section 4.2 - Common law rule of construction.
Section 4.3 - References to other statutes.
Section 4.4 - Presumption of enactment.
Section 4.5 - Prospective statutes.
Section 4.6 - Ambiguous statutes — interpretation.
Section 4.7 - Conflicts between general and special statutes.
Section 4.8 - Irreconcilable statutes.
Section 4.9 - Official copy prevails.
Section 4.10 - Reenactment of statutes — continuation.
Section 4.11 - Conflicting amendments to same statutes — interpretation.
Section 4.12 - Acts or statutes are severable.
Section 4.13 - General savings provision.
Section 4.14 - General rules of construction for English language laws.