Under Washington State canons of statutory construction, what is the canon of a total harmonious statutory scheme? Here’s my point of view (NOTE: please read our DISCLAIMER before proceeding).
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THE CANON OF HARMONIOUS STATUTORY SCHEME
According to the Canon of Harmonious Statutory Scheme:
Where possible, statutes should be read together to determine the legislative purpose and to achieve a total harmonious statutory scheme.
Marquis v. City of Spokane, 130 Wn.2d 97, 119 (Wash. 1996) (citing King County Fire Protection Dist., No. 16 v. Housing Auth., 123 Wash.2d 819, 826-27, 872 P.2d 516 (1994)). In addition:
The meaning of ambiguous statutes must be determined by examining the statutory scheme as a whole, and legislative history may serve as an important tool in divining legislative intent.
Id. (citing In re Sehome Park Care Ctr., 127 Wash.2d 774, 778, 903 P.2d 443 (1995)).
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