Opinion ID: 1292625
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: attorney's fees, prejudgment interest

Text: This case is not one to enforce 42 U.S.C. Section 1983 (or any other civil rights statute), and therefore no attorney fees are awardable under 42 U.S.C. Section 1988. Although Ms. Gonzales claimed that the ERB's rules violated various federal constitutional requirements, her suit at bottom was one to interpret and apply those rules and to determine their validity in light of the governing state statutes. Section 1988 is accordingly not applicable. There is no other statute that pertains to this situation from which attorney's fees might be awarded. Without an authorizing statute, attorney's fees may not be awarded. Martinez v. Martinez, 101 N.M. 88, 93, 678 P.2d 1163, 1168 (1984); Norton v. Board of Education of Hobbs Municipal Schools, 89 N.M. 470, 472, 553 P.2d 1277, 1279 (1976). Prejudgment interest also is not awardable as against a state agency. NMSA 1978, § 56-8-4 (Repl. 1986); see also Bradbury & Stamm Constr. Co. v. Bureau of Revenue, 70 N.M. 226, 238, 372 P.2d 808, 816-17 (1962). In conclusion, the ERB overstepped its statutory authority in denying then delaying benefits based on Regulation VI(A). It did not have the authority to deny a hearing to a claimed disabled party simply because she maintained an interest in a contract without more. Benefits should therefore be awarded in accordance with Regulation VI(C) one month after receipt of Ms. Gonzales' first application, April 1, 1985. Because appellant no longer maintains the contract, further inquiry in this regard is not necessary. Attorney's fees and prejudgment interest may not be awarded. We reverse in part and affirm in part and remand for entry of judgment in accordance with this opinion. IT IS SO ORDERED. MONTGOMERY and WILSON, JJ., concur.