When General and Specific statutes conflict which supersedes?

• A. General trumps
• B. They are equal
• C. Neither
• D. Specific trumps

Answer: (D)

When interpreting statutes that cover the same area but with different levels of specificity, the more narrowly drawn provision controls. This keeps the targeted intent of the specific statute intact and prevents a broad general rule from undermining a particular exception or requirement. In practice, if a general statute says something applies to everyone, but a specific statute for a particular program imposes a different rule for that program, you apply the specific rule for that program. This is why the correct choice is that the specific statute trumps the general one. If the general rule were applied instead, the specific provision could be rendered meaningless, defeating its purpose. The other options would ignore the special case, treat the rules as equally applicable, or leave the conflict unresolved, none of which aligns with how statutes are intended to operate.