NRS 0.025 — Use of “may,” “must,” “shall” and “is entitled”; explanation of flush lines., 1991

1. Except as otherwise expressly provided in a particular statute or required by the context: (a) “May” confers a right, privilege or power. The term “is entitled” confers a private right. (b) “May not” or “no * * * may” abridges or removes a right, privilege or power. (c) “Must” expresses a requirement when: (1) The subject is a thing, whether the verb is active or passive. (2) The subject is a natural person and: (I) The verb is in the passive voice; or (II) Only a condition precedent and not a duty is imposed. (d) “Shall” imposes a duty to act. (e) “Shall be deemed” or “shall be considered” creates a legal fiction. (f) “Shall not” imposes a prohibition against acting. 2. Except as otherwise required by the context, text of a statute that: (a) Follows subsections, paragraphs, subparagraphs or sub-subparagraphs that are introduced by a colon; (b) Is not designated as a separate subsection, paragraph, subparagraph or sub-subparagraph; and (c) Begins flush to the left margin rather than immediately following the material at the end of the final subsection, paragraph, subparagraph or sub-subparagraph, Ê applies to the section as a whole, in the case of subsections, or to the subdivision preceding the colon as a whole rather than solely to the subdivision that the text follows. The symbol “Ê” in bills and in Nevada Revised Statutes indicates the beginning of such text.