"Although an official interpretation of a statute by the Attorney General is not controlling, it is entitled to great respect."(Thorning v. Hollister School Dist. (1992) 11 Cal.App.4th 1598, 1604.)

"Opinions of the Attorney General, while not binding, are entitled to great weight. [Citations.] In the absence of controlling authority, these opinions are persuasive 'since the legislature is presumed to be cognizant of that construction of the statute.' [Citation.]"(Napa Valley Educators' Assn. v. Napa Valley Unified School Dist. (1987) 194 Cal.App.3rd 243, 251.)