ORS Statutes | Sovereignty Education Church

Title 17 Chapter 174 -- CONSTRUCTION; GENERAL DEFINITIONS
174.010 General rule for construction of statutes. In the construction of a statute, the office of the judge is simply to ascertain and declare what is, in terms or in substance, contained therein, not to insert what has been omitted, or to omit what has been inserted; and where there are several provisions or particulars such construction is, if possible, to be adopted as will give effect to all.
174.020 Legislative intent; general and particular provisions and intents. In the construction of a statute the intention of the legislature is to be pursued if possible; and when a general and particular provision are inconsistent, the latter is paramount to the former. So a particular intent shall control a general one that is inconsistent with it.
174.030 Construction favoring natural right to prevail. Where a statute is equally suscepible of two interpretations, one in favor of natural right and the other against it, the former is to prevail.

Title 18 Chapter 183 -- GENERAL PROVISIONS
183.310 Definitions for ORS 183.310 to 183.550. As used in ORS 183.310 to 183.550:
(1) "Agency" means any state board, commission, department, or division thereof, or officer authorized by law to make rules or to issue orders, except those in the legislative and judicial branches.
(2)(a) "Contested case" means a proceeding before an agency:
(A) In which the individual legal rights, duties or privileges of specific parties are required by statute or Constitution to be determined only after an agency hearing at which such specific parties are entitled to appear and be heard;
(B) Where the agency has discretion to suspend or revoke a right or privilege of a person;
(C) For the suspension, revocation or refusal to renew or issue a license where the licensee or applicant for a license demands such hearing; or
(D) Where the agency by rule or order provides for hearings substantially of the character required by ORS 183.415, 183.425, 183.450, 183.460 and 183.470.
(b) "Contested case" does not include proceedings in which an agency decision rests solely on the result of a test.
(3) "Economic effect" means the economic impact on affected businesses by and the costs of compliance, if any, with a rule for businesses, including but not limited to the costs of equipment, supplies, labor and administration.
(4) "License" includes the whole or part of any agency permit, certificate, approval, registration or similar form of permission required by law to pursue any commercial activity, trade, occupation or profession. [emphasis added]