73-3-7: [Inevitable accidents; excuse from labor.]

In cases of inevitable accidents, such as continual and prolonged droughts, tempests or floods, producing the total or very material failure of crops or expectant crops, the commissioners may, in their discretion, totally or partially exempt the person or persons thus situated from the requirements of the foregoing section [73-3-5 NMSA 1978] relative to continuous labor for lands under cultivation as the circumstances of the case may require. Such exemption or exemptions shall be consistent with the facts and circumstances of the premises and shall not extend to lands thereafter irrigated. Such action by said commissioners shall be reduced to writing and shall become a part of their records.