Which type of statutes has precedence when both general and specific provisions apply?

• A. General
• B. No precedence
• C. Specific
• D. They are equal in effect

Answer: (C)

Specific provisions take precedence over general provisions when both apply. The reason is that a narrowly tailored rule is designed to address a particular situation with greater precision, reflecting the legislature’s detailed intent for that scenario. When a general rule would govern broadly, the specific rule overrides it to avoid conflicting outcomes and ensure the targeted case is handled as intended. For example, if there’s a general rule about procurement but a specific statute allows a sole-source approach under certain conditions, the specific provision governs that situation. This is the rationale behind applying the particular, targeted statute over the broader one.