Cited by

Appeal of Cote, 144 N.H. 126, 129, 737 A.2d 1114 (1999) ("While legislative history may be helpful in the interpretation of an ambiguous statute, it will not be consulted when the statutory language is plain."

Id.; see Appeal of Cote, 144 N.H. 126, 128-29 (1999).

For example, in Appeal of Cote, 144 N.H. 126, 128-29 (1999), we held that the law in effect on the date of the employee’s injury, rather than at the time of total disability, governs an employee’s entitlement to disability benefits for a recurring injury.

We are, of course, obligated to follow that statutory mandate, but our power to liberally construe a statute extends only to the extent that the statutory language reasonably allows.

While statutory construction by those charged with its administration is entitled to substantial deference, see N.H. Retirement System v. Sununu, 126 N.H. 104, 108 (1985), the interpretation of a statute is to be decided ultimately by this court.

The ordinary meaning of “notwithstanding” is “without prevention or obstruction from or by” or “in spite of.” Appeal of Cote, 144 N.H. 126, 129 (1999).

“We will not set aside the board’s decision, except for errors of law, unless the petitioner has shown it by a clear preponderance of the evidence to be clearly unreasonable or unjust.” Appeal of Cote, 144 N.H. 126, 128 (1999).

“While legislative history may be helpful in the interpretation of an ambiguous statute, it will not be consulted when the statutory language is plain.” Appeal of Cote, 144 N.H. 126, 129 (1999) (quotation omitted).

In workers’ compensation cases, a party’s rights and liabilities, as well as the amount of compensation to which an employee is entitled, are determined by the law in force at the time of the injury.

Thus, while he invokes legislative history, he offers no justification for looking beyond the plain language of the statute, which contains no express exception for political protest.

“While legislative history may be helpful in the interpretation of an ambiguous statute, it will not be consulted when the statutory language is plain.” Appeal of Cote, 144 N.H. 126, 129 (1999) (quotation omitted).

“While legislative history may be helpful in the interpretation of an ambiguous statute, it will not be consulted when the statutory language is plain.” Appeal of Cole, 144 N.H. 126, 129, 737 A.2d 1114, 1117 (1999) (quotation omitted).

resolv[ing] all reasonable doubts in favor of the employee.” Appeal of Cote, 144 N.H. 126, 130, 737 A.2d 1114, 1117 (1999).