57-1-17: Limitation on recovery of damages.

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.