Page:Simpson v. Cavalry SPV I, LLC.pdf/7

 legislation what is simply not there. Cave City Nursing Home, Inc., supra.

While both parties cite to cases from other jurisdictions as support for its own interpretation, none of those cases involved the interpretation of identical language found in our own statute, and therefore, they are not persuasive in this court's interpretation of section 17-24-101 or section 17-24-301. Rather, we find the language in the statutes relevant to this case to be clear and unambiguous, and this court need not search for a legislative intent. Cave City Nursing Home, Inc., supra. Furthermore, the provisions can be read in a consistent, harmonious, and sensible manner, giving effect to every part. Cavalry clearly purchased and attempted to collect delinquent accounts or bills, and therefore, Cavalry is a collection agency under the plain language of section 17-24-101. The mere fact that Cavalry retained an attorney to act on its behalf to litigate the matter is irrelevant under these circumstances as to whether Cavalry was attempting to collect.

Finally, Cavalry contends that this court should give deference to the State Board of Collection Agencies' ("SBCA") interpretation published in a clarification statement in the minutes of a SBCA meeting held on August 15, 2012, stating in pertinent part,

IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that the Arkansas State Board of Collection Agencies recognizes as exempt from collection agency licensure in Arkansas any entity