A. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 57-1-3 NMSA 1978:
(1) no damages or interest on damages may be recovered under the Antitrust Act from any local government or official or employee thereof acting in an official capacity; provided, however, that in an action for a permanent injunction brought against a local government or official or employee thereof acting in an official capacity, costs and reasonable attorneys' fees may be granted to the prevailing party; and
(2) no damages or interest on damages may be recovered under the Antitrust Act in any claim against a person based on any official action directed by a local government or official or employee thereof acting in an official capacity; provided, however, that in an action for permanent injunction brought against a person based on any official action directed by a local government or official or employee thereof acting in an official capacity, costs and reasonable attorneys' fees may be granted to the prevailing party.
B. As used in this section:
(1) "local government" means:
(a) a city, county or any other general function governmental unit established by state law; or
(b) a school district, sanitary district or any other special function governmental unit established by state law; and
(2) "person" has the meaning given it in Section 57-1-1.2 NMSA 1978 but does not include any local government as defined in Paragraph (1) of this subsection.
History: 1978 Comp., § 57-1-17, enacted by Laws 1987, ch. 37, § 4.
ANNOTATIONSAntitrust Act. — See 57-1-1.1 NMSA 1978 and notes thereto.
Immunity from liability for antitrust damages. — An association that is organized under the Sanitary Projects Act, 3-29-1 NMSA 1978, is a special function governmental unit, established by state law, and is immune from damages for liability under the New Mexico Antitrust Act, 57-1-1 NMSA 1978. Moongate Water Co., Inc. v. Dona Ana Mut. Domestic Water Consumers Assn., 2008-NMCA-143, 145 N.M. 140, 194 P.3d 755.