This chapter shall be given liberal construction in favor of all persons entitled to any lien under it.
§ 1203.66.Liberal Construction
Title 4. Of the Enforcement of Liens · Chapter 2.5. Oil and Gas Liens · Enacted 1959 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 29, 2026
In one sentenceSection 1203.66 directs that the Oil and Gas Lien Act be given a liberal construction in favor of everyone entitled to a lien under it.
Full Text of § 1203.66
Plain-English Summary
This closing section sets the interpretive lens for the whole chapter. Rather than reading the Oil and Gas Lien Act narrowly against lien claimants, courts are directed to construe it liberally, in favor of the people the Act entitles to a lien — the workers, material suppliers, and service providers § 1203.52 and § 1203.54 protect.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should courts interpret the Oil and Gas Lien Act when the statutory language is unclear?
Section 1203.66 requires a liberal construction in favor of persons entitled to a lien under the chapter.
Who benefits from this rule of construction?
Everyone the Oil and Gas Lien Act entitles to a lien -- including the original contractors and subcontractors described in §§ 1203.52 and 1203.54.
Amendment History
Added by Stats. 1959, Ch. 2020.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
the Deering's California Codes Annotated / vLex. Enacted by the California Legislature.
Last verified July 29, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: liberal construction oil and gas lien california