Opinion ID: 1429543
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Essential Nature of the Power Being Exercised

Text: According to A.R.S. § 41-401(F), CDC may initiate and pursue ... in the name of this state any action concerning a law, regulation, order, policy or decision of the United States or any agency of the United States, including court ruling, that the council determines will further its purposes. CDC argues that it does not perform an executive function because it is not enforcing laws enacted by the Legislature. However, Arizona case law holds that acts necessary to carry out the legislative policies and purposes already declared by [the Legislature] are administrative. Pioneer Trust Co. v. Pima County, 168 Ariz. 61, 65, 811 P.2d 22, 26 (1991) (citing Lincoln Property Co. No. 41 v. Law, 45 Cal.App.3d 230, 119 Cal.Rptr. 292, 294 (1975)). CDC's essential function is to carry out the Legislature's policies and purposes that are specified within the statute itself. See A.R.S. § 41-401(B) (The purpose of the council is restoring, maintaining, and advancing the state's sovereignty and authority over issues that affect this state and the well-being of its citizens by taking any action it deems appropriate.) It is clear that CDC is performing an executive function. CDC next argues that it does not perform an executive function because, rather than enforcing laws enacted by the Legislature, it is defending against the federal government's unlawful intrusion in the self-governmental authority of the State. But the executive branch of government has more responsibilities than merely to enforce laws enacted by the Legislature. It is responsible for carrying out the policies and purposes of the Legislature. One of those purposes, as stated in A.R.S. § 41-401, is to restore, maintain, and advance the state's sovereignty and authority over issues that affect this state and the well-being of its citizens. A.R.S. § 41-401(B). The United States Supreme Court has held that litigation conducted on behalf of the United States is subject to the direction, and within the control of, the Attorney-General. Buckley v. Valeo, 424 U.S. 1, 139, 96 S.Ct. 612, 692, 46 L.Ed.2d 659 (1976) (quoting Confiscation Cases, 74 U.S. 454, 458-59, 7 Wall. 454, 458-59, 19 L.Ed. 196, (1868)). In the same respect, conducting litigation on behalf of the state, as authorized by the Legislature, is an executive function, because doing so carries out the purposes of the Legislature. See Pioneer Trust Co., 168 Ariz. at 65, 811 P.2d at 26. Therefore, CDC performs essentially an executive function.