In construing the statutes of this state, the following canons of interpretation are to govern, unless their observance would involve a construction inconsistent with the manifest intent of the legislature, or repugnant to the context of the statute:
(1) words and phrases are construed according to rules of grammar and according to their common and approved usage; but technical words and phrases and such others as have acquired a special meaning, or are defined in this chapter, are construed according to such special meaning or their definition;
(2) the singular includes the plural; and the plural, the singular; words of one gender include the other genders; words used in the past or present tense include the future;
(3) general words are construed to be restricted in their meaning by preceding particular words;
(4) words in a law conferring a joint authority upon three or more public officers or other persons are construed to confer authority upon a majority of such officers or persons; and
(5) a majority of the qualified members of any board or commission constitutes a quorum.
1941 c 492 s 8; 1986 c 444
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapters 645 - 648 — Statutes, Construction
Chapter 645 — Interpretation Of Statutes And Rules
Section 645.001 — Applicability To Rules.
Section 645.01 — Words And Phrases.
Section 645.02 — Effective Date And Time Of Laws.
Section 645.021 — Special Laws.
Section 645.023 — Special Laws; Enactment Without Local Approval.
Section 645.024 — Special Laws; Local Approval As Requirement Of Act.
Section 645.071 — Standard Of Time.
Section 645.08 — Canons Of Construction.
Section 645.11 — Published Notice.
Section 645.12 — Posted Notice.
Section 645.13 — Time; Publication For Successive Weeks.
Section 645.14 — Time; Computation Of Months.
Section 645.15 — Computation Of Time.
Section 645.151 — Timely Delivery Or Filing.
Section 645.16 — Legislative Intent Controls.
Section 645.17 — Presumptions In Ascertaining Legislative Intent.
Section 645.18 — Grammar; Syntax; Ellipsis.
Section 645.19 — Construction Of Provisos And Exceptions.
Section 645.20 — Construction Of Severable Provisions.
Section 645.21 — Presumption Against Retroactive Effect.
Section 645.22 — Uniform Laws.
Section 645.24 — Penalties For Each Offense.
Section 645.241 — Punishment For Prohibited Acts.
Section 645.25 — Intent To Defraud.
Section 645.26 — Irreconcilable Provisions.
Section 645.27 — State Bound By Statute; When.
Section 645.28 — Existing Laws; Effect Of Revision Or Code.
Section 645.29 — Manner Of Amendment.
Section 645.30 — Effect Of Separate Amendments On Code Provisions Enacted At Same Session.
Section 645.31 — Construction Of Amendatory And Reference Laws.
Section 645.32 — Merger Of Subsequent Amendments.
Section 645.33 — Two Or More Amendments To Same Section; One Overlooking The Other.
Section 645.34 — Repeal Of Amendatory And Original Laws Subsequently Amended.
Section 645.35 — Effect Of Repeal.
Section 645.36 — Effect Of Repeal Of Repealer.
Section 645.37 — Repeal And Reenactment.
Section 645.38 — Effect Of Reenactment On Intervening Law.
Section 645.39 — Implied Repeal By Later Law.
Section 645.40 — Nonexistence Of Reason For Law Does Not Repeal It.
Section 645.41 — No Implied Repeal By Nonuser.
Section 645.42 — Effect Of Separate Repeals On Code Provisions Enacted At Same Session.
Section 645.43 — Effect Of Repeal On Limitations.
Section 645.44 — Words And Phrases Defined.
Section 645.445 — Small Business; Definitions.
Section 645.446 — Health Plan Companies.
Section 645.45 — Definitions, Continued.
Section 645.451 — Definitions, Continued.
Section 645.452 — Disabilities Of Minority; Termination At Age 18.
Section 645.46 — Reference To Subdivision.
Section 645.47 — Reference To Paragraph.