Opinion ID: 2629250
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: the purpose of severability analysis

Text: ¶ 5 Severability analysis is a necessary undertaking when some, but not all, provisions of an enactment are deemed unconstitutional and hence must be voided. Its purpose is to determine whether non-offending statutory provisions may survive after the rejected invalid clauses are separated from the whole. The severability of a state constitutional or statutory enactment, which is a question of state law, [10] is not contingent on the presence of an express severability clause within the particular enactment. [11] Considerations relevant to severability analysis are outlined in the provisions of 75 O.S.2001 § 11a. [12] ¶ 6 Survival of remaining statutory provisions is appropriate when the valid and voided (as unconstitutional) provisions are not so inseparably connected with and so dependent upon each other that the surviving provisions would not have otherwise been enacted. [13] Consideration must be given to whether the surviving provisions rely on the severed portion for meaning or enforcement. [14] The terms of 75 O.S.2001 § 11a set forth a clear prerequisite for the employment of severability analysis. This may occur when a statutory provision or application of the statute is declared unconstitutional and is hence voided. If no provision is invalidated as unconstitutional, severability analysis is unnecessary and inappropriate.