Opinion ID: 1224377
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Prior filing presumptions

Text: ¶ 44 Section 45-261(A)(2) and (4) provide that DWR, the master, and the court shall accept information in prior filings as true unless DWR finds it clearly erroneous. In addition, conflicting information must be resolved favorably to the claimant unless DWR finds it clearly erroneous. Subsection (B) imposes on the objecting party the burden to prove the facts contained in the prior filing incorrect by clear and convincing evidence. We agree with Judge Bolton that these provisions, too, violate separation of powers. It is the ultimate responsibility of the court, not the government agency providing technical assistance, to determine the credibility of information in prior filings and what is clearly erroneous. DWR must be able to investigate all evidence before making a recommendation regarding water right attributes. Information contained in prior filings may constitute some factual evidence of a claimant's water right. See Ariz. R. Evid. 803(6) to (10), (14) to (16). It is simply one item of evidence, however, and cannot be given determinative effect by virtue of legislative fiat. In general, the power to make rules, including rules of evidence, resides in the judicial branch. Ariz. Const. art. VI, § 5(5); Slayton v. Shumway, 166 Ariz. 87, 89, 800 P.2d 590, 592 (1990). We will recognize a statutory rule when it is reasonable and workable and when it supplements rather than contradicts our rules. State ex rel. Collins v. Seidel, 142 Ariz. 587, 591, 691 P.2d 678, 682 (1984). Here, however, the statute does much more than supplement our rules. It precludes the court from determining the credibility of the information in the prior filings. This it cannot do and is therefore invalid.