General Guidance in Reading the California Military and Veterans Code

California’s statutes are contained in 29 separate codes. The eighteenth alphabetically is the Military and Veterans Code. All 29 Codes have general provisions applicable to reading and interpreting that Code’s sections. The following are selected general provisions of the Military and Veterans Code:

Section 1 – This Act is known as the Military and Veterans Code.

Section 2 – The provisions of this Code in so far as they are substantially the same as existing statutes relating to the same subject matter must be construed as restatements and continuations, and not as new enactments.

Section 3 – Unless the context otherwise requires, the general provisions set forth govern the construction of this Code.

Section 6 – Division, part, chapter, and article headings contained herein do not govern, limit, modify, or in any manner affect the scope, meaning, or intent of the provisions of any portion of this Code.

Section 7 – Whenever, by the provisions of this Code, a power is granted to a public officer or a duty imposed upon such an officer, the power may be exercised or duty performed by a deputy of the officer or by a person authorized pursuant to law by the officer, unless it is expressly otherwise provided.

Section 8 – Writing includes any form of recorded message capable of comprehension by ordinary visual means. Whenever any notice, report, statement or record is required by this Code, it must be made in writing in the English language unless it is otherwise expressly provided.

Section 9 – Whenever any reference is made to any section of this Code or to any law of this State or the United States or to the Articles of War or the rules and regulations of the United States Army or Navy departments, the reference applies to all amendments and additions now or later made.

Section 11 – The present tense includes the past and future tenses; and the future tense includes the present.

Section 12 – The singular number includes the plural, and the plural the singular.

Section 14 – The term “shall” is mandatory and “may” is permissive.

Section 15 – The term “oath” includes affirmation.

Section 19 – The term “spouse” includes “registered domestic partner.”