2017 New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 12 - Miscellaneous Public Affairs Matters
Article 2A - Uniform Statute and Rule Construction Act
Section 12-2A-20 - Other aids to construction.

12-2A-20. Other aids to construction.

A. In considering the text of a statute or rule in light of Sections 2 through 7 [12-2A-2 to 12-2A-7 NMSA 1978] and Sections 18 and 19 [12-2A-18 and 12-2A-19 NMSA 1978] of the Uniform Statute and Rules Construction Act, and the context in which the statute or rule is applied, the following aids to construction may be considered in ascertaining the meaning of the text:

(1) the meaning of a word or phrase may be limited by the series of words or phrases of which it is a part; and

(2) the meaning of a general word or phrase following two or more specific words or phrases may be limited to the category established by the specific words or phrases.

B. In addition to considering the text of a statute or rule in light of Sections 2 through 7 and Sections 18 and 19 of the Uniform Statute and Rules Construction Act, the context in which the statute or rule is applied and the aids to construction in Subsection A of this section, the following aids to construction may be considered in ascertaining the meaning of the text:

(1) a settled judicial construction in another jurisdiction as of the time a statute or rule is borrowed from the other jurisdiction;

(2) a judicial construction of the same or similar statute or rule of this or another state;

(3) an official commentary published and available before the enactment or adoption of the statute or rule;

(4) an administrative construction of the same or similar statute or rule of this state;

(5) a previous statute or rule, or the common law, on the same subject;

(6) a statute or rule on the same or a related subject, even if it was enacted or adopted at a different time; and

(7) a reenactment of a statute or readoption of a rule that does not change the pertinent language after a court or agency construed the statute or rule.

C. If, after considering the text of a statute or rule in light of Sections 2 through 7 and Sections 18 and 19 of the Uniform Statute and Rules Construction Act, the context in which the statute or rule is applied and the aids to construction in Subsections A and B of this section, the meaning of the text or its application is uncertain, the following aids to construction may be considered in ascertaining the meaning of the text:

(1) the circumstances that prompted the enactment or adoption of the statute or rule;

(2) the purpose of a statute or rule as determined from the legislative or administrative history of the statute or rule; and

(3) the history of other legislation on the same subject.

History: Laws 1997, ch. 173, 20.