Legislative intent refers to the purpose and goals that lawmakers had in mind when creating a specific law. It helps to clarify what the law is meant to achieve and guides courts in interpreting its meaning. Understanding legislative intent can be crucial when there are ambiguities or disputes about how a law should be applied. To determine legislative intent, courts may look at various sources, such as the legislative history, including debates and committee reports, as well as the text of the law itself. This process ensures that the law is applied in a way that aligns with the original objectives of the legislature.