legislative intent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "legislative intent" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to the purpose or motivation behind a particular piece of legislation, such as a law or bill. For example, "The legislative intent of the new housing bill is to reduce housing costs for low-income families."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So in my read the legislative intent of AB 32, which extended for decades onward, actually made new legislation unnecessary.

Huffington Post

"And this was not their legislative intent".

The New York Times

operations, which seems to go beyond the legislative intent.

The New York Times

Does it when so read reflect the legislative intent?

Cornell University

It is also entirely consistent with legislative intent.

Cornell University

John F. Manning, Textualism and Legislative Intent, 91 Va.

Harvard University

The words of the statute should always prevail, Scalia believes, over "unenacted legislative intent".

The New Yorker

(This experience may account for some of Sotomayor's sensitivity to legislative intent).

The New Yorker

The canons, the authors say, are "background principles of assumed legislative intent".

The New York Times

Legislative Intent Legislative intent -- as always -- is the polestar that guides a court's inquiry into the provisions of the Florida Election Code.

The New York Times

They point out, though, that legislative intent is also a significant factor in interpreting laws.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When analyzing statutes, always consider the "legislative intent" alongside the plain language of the law. Use both to form a complete understanding.

Common error

Avoid assuming "legislative intent" based on personal opinions. Research legislative history, committee reports, and debates to support your interpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "legislative intent" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI correctly points out, it refers to the purpose or motivation behind a particular piece of legislation. Examples in Ludwig show its use in legal and political discourse.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

30%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "legislative intent" functions as a noun phrase that refers to the purpose or motivation behind a particular piece of legislation. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Ludwig examples show that it's commonly used in legal and political contexts, primarily within news and academic settings. When using this phrase, remember to support your interpretation with legislative history and avoid personal assumptions. Alternatives such as "legislative purpose" or "statutory purpose" can be used depending on the specific context. Understanding its proper usage helps to ensure clarity and accuracy in legal and policy discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

legislative purpose

Focuses on the aim or objective the legislature had in mind when enacting the law.

congressional intent

Specifically refers to the intent of the United States Congress.

statutory purpose

Highlights the intended outcome or goal of a statute.

legislative aim

Emphasizes the goal or target that the legislature is trying to achieve.

intent of the law

General term referring to the underlying purpose of a specific law.

purpose of the statute

Highlights the reason for the statute's existence and its intended function.

objectives of the legislation

Focuses on the specific goals and aims of the legislative act.

legislative objective

Refers to the specific goals that the legislature seeks to accomplish through the law.

drafters' intent

Focuses on the specific intentions of those who drafted the legislation.

legislative goals

Highlights the broad aims and targets of the legislative body.

FAQs

What does "legislative intent" mean in legal terms?

In legal terms, "legislative intent" refers to the purpose or objective the legislature had in mind when enacting a particular law. It is often considered by courts when interpreting ambiguous statutes.

How is "legislative intent" determined?

Courts determine "legislative intent" by examining the statute's language, legislative history (committee reports, debates), and the context in which the law was enacted. Statements made by legislators during the legislative process can also be considered.

Why is understanding "legislative intent" important?

Understanding "legislative intent" is crucial for accurately interpreting and applying laws. It helps ensure that the law is implemented in a manner consistent with the legislature's original goals.

What happens if the "legislative intent" is unclear?

If the "legislative intent" is unclear from the statute's language and history, courts may rely on legal principles and rules of statutory construction to interpret the law. This may involve considering the broader legal context and the overall purpose of the legislation.