Court Opinion

ID: 9602043
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 01:51:24.787261+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:02:00.305675
License: Public Domain

ANDREWS, Judge (specially concurring). Except for the discussion on “Ascertaining Legislative Intent,” I concur in the majority opinion. New Mexico courts have consistently held that the enrolled and engrossed bill is “conclusive and unimpeachable.” Dillon v. King, 87 N.M. 79, 529 P.2d 745 (1974); Clary v. Denman Drilling Co., 58 N.M. 723, 276 P.2d 499 (1954); Thompson v. Saunders, 52 N.M. 1, 189 P.2d 87 (1947); State ex rel. Clancy v. Hall, State Treasurer, 23 N.M. 422, 168 P. 715 (1917); Smith et al. v. Lucero, Sec’y of State, 23 N.M. 411, 168 P. 709 (1917); Kelley v. Marron, State Treasurer, 21 N.M. 239, 153 P. 262 (1915); Earnest, Trav. Auditor v. Sargent, Auditor, 20 N.M. 427, 150 P. 1018 (1915). Only in Dillon v. King, supra, did the court articulate an exception to the rule when it stated that the conclusive legal presumption would not attach when the “Legislature had ceased to be a legislative body by operation of the Constitution and was, therefore, without jurisdiction or authority to transact business or perform any lawmaking function.” 87 N.M. at 85, 529 P.2d 745. No issue of this nature is present in the instant case. The majority is aware of this rule, but considers it inapplicable because all cases previously decided deal with either the content of what the Legislature enacted or the mechanics of the enactment. In my view, such fact is immaterial. The reason the issue is one of first impression is that the rule is clear. The policy behind the presumption is the crucial issue, and is applicable regardless of the nature of the attack. There is nothing to be gained from a discussion of the issue.