author: GILBERTSON, Chief Justice. KONENKAMP, Justice

text:
    2006 SD 71
    Daniel K. BRENDTRO, Sponsor of an Initiated Measure, Petitioner, v. Chris NELSON, in his official capacity as Secretary of State of South Dakota, Respondent. Cellco Partnership d/b/a, Verizon Wireless, Sponsor of an Initiated Measure, Petitioner, v. Chris Nelson, in his official capacity as Secretary of the State of South Dakota, Respondent.
    Nos. 24139, 24162.
    Supreme Court of South Dakota.
    Argued July 27, 2006.
    Decided Aug. 9, 2006.

      Patrick Duffy of Duffy & Duffy, Rapid City, South Dakota, Matthew T. Tobin of Tobin Law Office, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Attorneys for petitioner Daniel K. Brendtro.

      James E. McMahon of McMahon Law Office, Matthew S. McCaulley and Jonathan A. Kobes of Murphy, GoMammer & Prendergast, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Attorneys for petitioner Célico Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless.
    Lawrence E. Long, Attorney General, Jeffrey P. Hallem, Assistant Attorney General, Pierre, South Dakota, Attorneys for respondent.
   GILBERTSON, Chief Justice.

[¶ 1.] Before the Court are two separate original proceedings in mandamus to compel the secretary of state to place initiated measures on the 2006 general election ballot. One measure seeks to repeal the video lottery provisions of SDCL ch. 42-7A. The other seeks to repeal the four percent gross receipts tax on wireless telecommunications imposed by SDCL ch. 10-33A. For the reasons set forth below, the writs will issue.

FACTS

A. Video Lottery

[¶ 2.] The history of the video lottery law in South Dakota began in 1989 when the South Dakota Legislature authorized the South Dakota Lottery Commission to offer video lottery games. 1989 S.D.Sess.L. ch. 368. The authorizing bill, Senate Bill 129, was signed into law on March 1, 1989. Id. It was amended that same session by Senate Bill 154 by adding three sections to the original bill. One section approximated the generated revenues, one section included the amount in another house bill and the third section declared the revenues as: “necessary for the support of state government and its existing public institutions pursuant to Article III, Section 1, of the Constitution of South Dakota.” 1989 S.D.Sess.L. ch. 369. This bill was signed on March 15, 1989. The law was not referred to the voters nor was there any court action commenced to determine if the law fell within the referendum exceptions of article III, § 1. See generally, Gravning v. Zellmer, 291 N.W.2d 751 (S.D.1980).

[¶ 3.] Initiated Measure 4 sought to repeal all the statutory provisions that the legislature had passed authorizing video lottery games. 1993 South Dakota Legislative Manual at 632. Initiated Measure 4 was defeated in the general election on November 3,1992. Id. at 629.

[¶ 4.] Shortly after the unsuccessful initiated attempt to repeal video lottery, an action was filed in circuit court challenging the constitutionality of the original laws. The action sought to prohibit the State of South Dakota from operating video lottery and to require the immediate revocation of video lottery licenses. Poppen v. Walker, 520 N.W.2d 238 (S.D.1994). On June 22, 1994, this Court issued its opinion holding “that video lottery is not authorized under Article III, § 25 of the South Dakota Constitution.” Id. at 240.

[¶ 5.] In response to the opinion, the South Dakota Legislature held two special legislative sessions. In the first special session on July 12, 1994, the legislature proposed to submit the video lottery issue to the voters as a constitutional amendment to article III, § 25, authorizing video lottery. See, S.D.Const., art. XXIII, § 1 (providing, in part, “Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by initiative or by a majority vote of all members of each house of the Legislature”). Laws of the 1994 First Special Session, ch. 1. It was placed on the ballot as Constitutional Amendment E. Also during this special session, the legislature passed emergency legislation in order to fund state government. The legislature replaced the lost video lottery revenue with funds transferred from the budget reserve fund. Laws of the 1994 First Special Session, ch. 2. In addition, the legislature passed emergency legislation to ratify certain prior video lottery legislation. Laws of the 1994 First Special Session, ch. 4. The law also authorized the possession, sale, transportation and disposal of licensed video lottery machines. Laws of the 1994 First Special Session, ch. 5[sic]. In the second special session in September 1994, the legislature addressed state budget issues. During this session, the legislature passed emergency legislation to repeal, reduce, and amend certain appropriations and to provide budget transfers. Laws of the 1994 Second Special Session, ch. 1-16.

[¶ 6.] In the November 8, 1994, general election, the voters reauthorized the video lottery system by approving proposed Constitutional Amendment E amending article III, § 25. 1995 South Dakota Legislative Manual at 285, 290.

[¶ 7.] Six years later in 2000 the subject again was put to a vote of the people by an initiated measure seeking to repeal video lottery by removing the 1994 authorization in article III, § 25. The voters rejected the 2000 initiated attempt to repeal video lottery in the general election of November 7, 2000. 2001-2002 South Dakota Legislative Manual at 257.

[¶ 8.] Before us is the most recent attempt to repeal video lottery. Video lottery opponents gathered sufficient signatures on a petition to make the issue eligible for placement on the 2006 general election ballot. The petition is entitled “An Act to Repeal the Video Lottery.” It is the subject of this action.

B. Gross Receipts Tax on Wireless Telecommunications

[¶ 9.] Also the subject of this action is the initiated measure to repeal the gross receipts tax on wireless telecommunications. In 2003 the legislature passed a law imposing a four percent (4%) excise tax on the gross receipts of wireless communications. 2003 S.D.Sess.L. ch. 58; SDCL ch. 10-33A. Attempts to repeal the tax were introduced during the 2006 legislative session by Senate Bill 111 and House Bill 1106. ,2006 Senate Journal at 106; 2006 House Journal at 138. Both bills failed. Senate Bill 111 was deferred by the Senate Committee on Taxation to the 36th legislative day, a legislative mechanism that killed the bill. 2006 Senate Journal at 402. House Bill 1106 was voted down by the House of Representatives after being substantially amended by the House Committee on Taxation. 2006 House Journal at 528-529. The House Committee had recommended deleting all of the language of the bill except the enacting clause and inserting language providing for a legislative study on the taxes imposed on the telecommunications industry. 2006 House Journal at 466.

[¶ 10.] Promptly thereafter, on March 15, 2006, an initiative petition to repeal the tax was filed. The title of the initiative is “An Act to Repeal the Four Percent (4%) Gross Receipts Tax Imposed by South Dakota Codified Laws chapter 10-33A Upon Wireless Telecommunications Services.” Prior to the filing deadline, the petition sponsors filed the initiative petition with sufficient signatures to be eligible for placement on the general election ballot.

C. Attorney General’s Opinion

[¶ 11.] After the signatures on each petition were verified, the secretary of state requested an attorney general’s opinion on the following question:

In 1995 the Supreme Court in Christensen v. Carson (533 N.W.2d 712) determined that the initiative process could not be used to repeal a municipal ordinance or resolution. Does the Christensen case or the Article III § 1 “support of state government” prohibition prevent the placement of this measure on the ballot?

[¶ 12.] In Official Opinion No. 06-05 on May 30, 2006, the attorney general advised the secretary of state that the initiated measure seeking the repeal of the statutory authorization for video lottery and the initiated measure seeking to repeal the tax on telecommunications in SDCL ch. 10-33A were not permissible uses of the constitutional power of initiative based upon this Court’s decision in Christensen v. Carson, 533 N.W.2d 712 (S.D.1995). On June 7, 2006, the secretary of state advised each of the initiative petition sponsors that the measures would not be placed on the 2006 general election ballot.

STANDARD OF REVIEW

[¶ 13.] These are mandamus actions to compel the secretary of state to place each initiated measure on the ballot. “The writ of mandamus must be issued in all cases where there is not a plain, speedy and adequate remedy, in the ordinary course of law.” SDCL 21-29-2. “The nature of a writ of mandamus is an extraordinary remedy that will issue only when the duty to act is clear[.]” Baker v. Atkinson, 2001 SD 49, ¶ 16, 625 N.W.2d 265, 271. This Court has said:

Mandamus is a potent, but precise remedy. Its power lies in its expediency; its precision in its narrow application. It commands the fulfillment of an existing legal duty, but creates no duty itself, and acts upon no doubtful or unsettled right. To prevail in seeking a Writ of Mandamus, the petitioner must have a clear legal right to performance of the specific duty sought to be compelled and the respondent must have a definite legal obligation to perform that duty.

Sorrels v. Queen of Peace Hosp., 1998 SD 12, ¶ 6, 575 N.W.2d 240, 242 (citations omitted)(emphasis added).

ISSUE

[¶ 14.] Does the power reserved by the people under article III, § 1 of the South Dakota Constitution “to propose measures” include the power to propose the repeal of an existing law?

DISCUSSION

[¶ 15.] Article III, § 1 of the South Dakota Constitution establishes the people’s right of initiative and referendum. It provides:

The legislative power of the state shall be vested in a Legislature which shall consist of a senate and house of representatives. However, the people expressly reserve to themselves the right to propose measures, which shall be submitted to a vote of the electors of the state, and also the right to require that any laws which the Legislature may have enacted shall be submitted to a vote of the electors of the state before going into effect, except such laws as may be necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health or safety, support of the state government and its existing public institutions. Not more than five percent of the qualified electors of the state shall be required to invoke either the initiative or the referendum.
This section shall not be construed so as to deprive the Legislature or any member thereof of the right to propose any measure. The veto power of the Executive shall not be exercised as to measures referred to a vote of the people. This section shall apply to municipalities. The enacting clause of all laws approved by vote of the electors of the state shall be: “Be it enacted by the people of South Dakota.” The Legislature shall make suitable provisions for carrying into effect the provisions of this section.

Thus, the initiative is the people’s “right to propose measures” while the referendum is the people’s right “to require that any laws which the legislature may have enacted shall be submitted to a vote of the electors of the state before going into effect!;.]”

[¶ 16.] When determining the meaning of a constitutional provision, we normally would examine the language of the provision. Where a constitutional provision is quite plain in its language, we construe it according to its natural import. If the provision is ambiguous, we look to secondary sources for guidance. State v. Pyle, 55 S.D. 269, 271, 226 N.W. 280, 281 (1929); In re Janklow, 530 N.W.2d 367, 370 (S.D.1995). We have said:

“In the past, ... secondary sources outside of the text of the constitutional provision have provided us with assistance.” See Wegleitner v. Sattler, 1998 SD 88, ¶ 11, n. 3, 582 N.W.2d 688, 692. The “historical context” of a constitutional provision is a guide to its interpretation. Cleveland v. BDL Enterprises Ins., 2003 SD 54, ¶40, 663 N.W.2d 212, 223.

Doe v. Nelson, 2004 SD 62, ¶ 10, 680 N.W.2d 302, 305-306. While some argue that the above constitutional provision is plain upon its face, our decision in Christensen appears to have created an ambiguity.

[¶ 17.] Christensen examined a municipal initiated measure that sought to “cease any and all activities” relating to the acquisition and construction of a new airport facility. The Court in a three-two decision held that the petitions in question were referendum petitions rather than initiative petitions, and, therefore, had failed to satisfy the requirements of the referendum process.

[¶ 18.] In broad language, the majority opinion in Christensen said:

Unfortunately, Christensen confuses the powers of initiative and referendum and mistakenly assumes that an initiative may be used, like a referendum, to repeal or amend previously passed legislation. Settled South Dakota law does not permit this result. The South Dakota Constitution, the South Dakota Code, and settled South Dakota case law clearly distinguishes between initiative and referendum measures, (emphasis added; no authority cited).

Christensen, 583 N.W.2d at 714.

While the constitution reserves both initiative and referendum powers to the people, it excepts from the referendum process any laws which were enacted “for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health or safety, support of the state government and its existing public institutions.” S.D.Const., art. Ill, § 1. This exception does not apply to the initiative process, id.; Byre, 362 N.W.2d at 79, presumably because initiatives are not intended to affect existing laws. If we were to allow the distinction between initiative and referendum to be blurred, as Christensen seems to suggest, voters could avoid the restrictions on the referendum power by simply fashioning their petition in the form of an initiative. We refuse to endorse this result, because doing so would ejfectively nullify a constitutional provision. (emphasis added; no authority cited).

Id. at 715.

The legislature recognized that only a referendum is designed to pass on existing laws; no restrictions on initiative powers were necessary, because initiatives were not intended to conflict with or repeal current laws, (emphasis added; no authority cited).

Id.

[¶ 19.] This language from Christensen suggests that the attempts to repeal video lottery and the gross receipts tax imposed on wireless telecommunications are beyond the scope of the people’s power of initiative because they are attempts to repeal current law. The secretary of state and attorney general relied on language in Christensen to conclude the measures should not be placed on the ballot. We find no improper motive with the position taken by the secretary of state or the attorney general regarding Christensen. As constitutional officers of the State they were bound to follow Christensen, which, although it had a strong dissent, was still the latest decision from this Court on the subject.

[¶ 20.] Here, we are asked to reconsider that portion of onr writing in Christensen, which suggests that an initiative cannot be used to repeal an existing law. We do so in the context of the history of the initiative and referendum in South Dakota, South Dakota case law, and the language of article III, § l.

History of Initiative and Referendum

[¶ 21.] The historical background of the South Dakota constitutional provision on initiative and referendum can be traced to the Constitutional Convention of 1885. On September 12, 1885, the Constitutional Convention of Dakota Territory considered W.H. Lyon’s petition for direct legislation by the people. The petition called for all general laws to be submitted to a vote of the people and gave the legislature only the power to pass appropriation and certain other necessary laws. The petition read:

Petition
I respectfully request that this Convention incorporate a provision in this constitution, that all appropriation bills for new public institutions, and permanent improvements to existing institutions, and all laws of general interest to the people should be drafted by the Legislature, and submitted for the people to enact or reject, at annual or biennial elections, and that the Legislature be given only the power to pass appropriation bills for the ordinary running expenses of the State, and to enact the necessary laws of a local, special and private nature, that can not well be provided for by general acts. Respectfully, W.H. Lyon.

1885 South Dakota Constitutional Debates 113. The convention rejected the petition and instead recommended that: “The legislative power shall be vested in a legislature which shall consist of a Senate, and a House of Representatives.” 1885 South Dakota Constitutional Debates 138.

[¶ 22.] The Constitution of the State of South Dakota was overwhelmingly adopted by popular vote on October 1, 1889. Constitution of South Dakota, 1 South Dakota Codified Laws at 191 (West). South Dakota Constitution, article VI, § 26 provided, as it does today:

All political power is inherent in the people, and all free government is founded on their authority, and is instituted for their equal protection and benefit, and they have the right in lawful and constituted methods to alter or reform their forms of government in such manner as they may think proper. And the state of South Dakota is an inseparable part of the American Union and the Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the land.

Thus, under our system of government the powers of government are derived from the people.

[¶ 23.] The language of article III, § 1 of the constitution adopted in 1889 mirrored that proposed by the 1885 constitutional convention: “The legislative power shall be vested in a legislature, which shall consist of a senate and house of representatives.” This section of the constitution “granted to the legislature the legislative power of the state without reservations,” Pyle, 55 S.D. at 271, 226 N.W. at 281, and was only subject to the veto of the governor. Hodges v. Snyder, 43 S.D. 166, 178 N.W. 575 (1920). Pursuant to article III, § 22, of the 1889 constitution, no legislative act could take effect until ninety days after the adjournment of the session at which it was passed unless an emergency was declared by a two-thirds vote of all the members of each house. In that case, “such act took effect immediately upon its passage and approval[.]” Hodges, 43 S.D. at 174, 178 N.W. at 577.

[1Í 24.] The movement for the initiative and referendum began in 1885 and continued for the next thirteen years as the Farmer’s Alliance, the Knights of Labor, the Initiative and Referendum League, and the Populist Party kept the issue before the people through a non-partisan educational campaign that turned into a political movement. Robinson at 351-354; H. Roger Grant, Origins of a Progressive Reform: The Initiative and Referendum Movement in South Dakota, Vol. 3, No. 4 South Dakota History 390 (1973); see also History of the Initiative and Referendum in South Dakota, Legislative Reference Bulletin No. 3 (Pierre 1918); Burton Ells-worth Tiffany, The Initiative and Referendum in South Dakota, South Dakota Historical Collections 12 (1924). The movement was spurred by economic unrest, the complacency of political leaders, as well as a spirit of political independence. Herbert S. Schell, History of South Dakota 223 (3d ed., revised, University of Nebraska Press 1975). Direct democracy was seen as a way to “cleanse the legislative process.” Grant, supra, Vol. 3, No. 4, South Dakota History at 394. The movement gained the platform to successfully launch this proposal when in 1896 the Populists gained control of both houses of the legislature and the governorship. Herbert S. Schell, “Andrew E. Lee,” Over a Century of Leadership: South Dakota Territorial and State Governors 67-69.

[¶ 25.] In 1897 a majority of the members of each house of the legislature then controlled by the Populists, proposed amending article III, § 1 of the constitution to provide for the initiative and referendum. In the ensuing campaign, Populist Governor Andrew O. Lee, a chief proponent of the proposal, argued that the passage of the initiative and referendum would “end the powers of special interests, save taxpayers money, and enable citizens to secure various pieces of needed legislation.” Schell, “Andrew E. Lee,” Over a Century of Leadership at 68.

[¶ 26.] The electorate approved the amendment on November 8, 1898. This amendment provided for initiative and referendum as follows:

The legislative power of the state shall be vested in a legislature which shall consist of a senate and house of representatives, except that the people expressly reserve to themselves the right to propose measures, which measures the legislature shall enact and submit to a vote of the electors of the state, and also the right to require that any laws which the legislature may have enacted shall be submitted to a vote of the electors of the state before going into effect, except such laws as may be necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health or safety, support of the state government and its existing public institutions.
Provided, that not more than five per centum of the qualified electors of the state shall be required to invoke either the initiative of the referendum.
This section shall not be construed so as to deprive the legislature or any member thereof of the right to propose any measure. The veto power of the executive shall not be exercised as to measures referred to a vote of the people. This section shall apply to municipalities. The enacting clause of all laws approved by vote of the electors of the state shall be, “Be it enacted by the people of South Dakota.” The legislature shall make suitable provisions for carrying into effect the provisions of this section.

By adopting this amendment the people expressly reserved to themselves “the right to propose measures,” the initiative, as well as “the right to require that any laws which the legislature may have enacted shall be submitted to a vote of the electors of the state before going into effect,” the referendum.

[¶ 27.] The first statewide use of the initiative and referendum was at the November 1908 general election. 1909 South Dakota Legislative Manual at 373. The people initiated an act to provide for the licensing, restricting and regulation of the business of the manufacture and sale of spirituous and intoxicating liquors. 1907 S.D.Sess.L. ch. 179. Section 6 of this act provided: “All acts and parts of acts in conflict with this act are hereby repealed.” 1907 S.D.Sess.L. ch. 179 § 6.

[¶ 28.] Robinson reports numerous other attempts at initiative following its constitutional adoption. Some proposals passed while many did not. Despite numerous attempts to amend existing laws, nowhere in our reported decisions of that era was the claim advanced that initiatives may not repeal or amend existing state laws adopted by the legislature. Quite to the contrary, in several instances they did. While not dispositive, we have found that how drafters and the courts treat amendments in the years following the enactments provides guidance in our interpretation. Doe, 2004 SD 62 at ¶ 7, 680 N.W.2d at 307.

Caselaw

[¶ 29.] In one of its earliest comments on the initiative, the Court observed that “[t]he [Legislature’s] power is only concurrent with the power of the people to initiate a law on any subject.” Pyle, 55 S.D. at 272, 226 N.W. at 281. This continued to be the unchallenged state of the law until 1985 when this Court decided Byre v. City of Chamberlain, 362 N.W.2d 69 (S.D.1985), There, rather than relying on our prior constitutional history and case law, the Court cited only to 82 CJS Statutes § 116 (1953) for the proposition that:

The purpose of the initiative is not to curtail or limit legislative power to enact laws, but rather to compel enactment of measures desired by the people, and to empower the people, in the event the legislature fails to act, to enact such measures themselves.

362 N.W.2d at 79. Then Christensen concluded that “initiatives are not intended to affect existing laws,” 533 N.W.2d at 715, citing as its only authority the above rationale of Byre.

[¶ 30.] The Christensen limitation on the initiative appears inconsistent with the historical context of the adoption of the initiative and the proponents’ intent. When the right of initiative was adopted in 1898, the bedrock of our current statutory framework was already in place and the State had a well-developed criminal and civil code that regulated significant aspects of governmental, societal and individual life. To hold that the initiative can be used only where the legislature has not acted would adopt a constitutional interpretation that would effectively relegate the initiative to the most insignificant aspects of our society and lives. “This Court will not construe a constitutional provision to arrive at a strained, unpractical or absurd result.” Breck v. Janklow, 2001 SD 28, ¶ 12, 623 N.W.2d 449, 455.

[¶ 31.] The Christensen view of the initiative also appears inconsistent with constitutional provisions referring to the initiatives that were passed in the time frame surrounding that decision. In 1978 the voters approved article XI, § 13 of the South Dakota Constitution. The provision clearly assumes that within the scope of the amendment, an initiative is a permissible method of dealing with taxation on real or personal property:

The rate of taxation imposed by the state of South Dakota on personal or corporate income or on sales or services, or the allowable levies or the percentage basis for determining valuation as fixed by law for purposes of taxation on real or personal property, shall not be increased unless by consent of the people by exercise of their right of initiative or by two-thirds vote of all the members elect of each branch of the Legislature, (emphasis added).

[¶ 32.] Article XI, § 14 also supports the authority of the people to repeal a statute through the initiative process. It was passed in 1996 a year after this Court decided Christensen. It states:

The rate of taxation imposed by the State of South Dakota in regard to any tax may not be increased and no new tax may be imposed by the State of South Dakota unless by consent of the people by exercise of their ñght of initiative or by two-thirds vote of all the members elect of each branch of the Legislature, (emphasis added).

This article clearly contemplates that an existing tax, which originates from a statute, may be amended or repealed though the initiative process. Moreover, in our recent case of Schulte v. Long, 2004 SD 102, 687 N.W.2d 495, we had before us an issue concerning a ballot initiative to repeal the sales tax on food. In his concurring opinion Justice Zinter observed that “[t]he legal and practical effect of this measure is to repeal a tax[.]” (emphasis original). 2004 SD 102 at ¶ 29, 687 N.W.2d at 502.

[¶33.] Chñstensen was largely premised on the distinction between the initiative and referendum and avoiding the use of the initiative to nullify the referendum provision of article III, § 1. According to article III, § 1:

two classes of laws ... are not subject to the referendum: First, such laws as are declared by the act itself to be necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety of the state; and second, such laws as are necessary for the support of state government and its existing public institutions.

Hodges, 43 S.D. at 174, 175, 178 N.W. at 577. Excepting “laws as may be necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health or safety, support of the state government and its existing institutions” from the people’s power to refer laws assured “that the wheels of the state and its existing institutions would be kept turning and the public peace, health and safety not be wholly left to the mercy of deferred political campaigns.” Pyle, 55 S.D. at 273, 226 N.W. at 281. The exceptions to the referendum constitute “an additional grant of power to the legislature, and, if any part of the grant is to be strictly construed it is [these] exception[s],” Pyle, 55 S.D. at 272, 226 N.W. at 281, while the reserved powers of initiative and referendum are not strictly construed. Id.

Language of Article III, § 1

[¶ 34.] Notwithstanding the exceptions to the referendum, the language in article III, § 1 reserving the power of initiative is clear: “[T]he people expressly reserve to themselves the right to propose measures[.]” Article III, § 1. Its clarity was recognized in Pyle:

[Article III, § 1] is quite plain in its language, which must be construed according to its import where there is no ambiguity. Though it may have been an experiment in government and the product of extremists in turbulent times, it cannot be ignored. The fact that more conservative men are unable to suggest a construction in accord with their views of conservative government is evidence that its language is not ambiguous.

Pyle, 55 S.D. at 273, 226 N.W. at 281. “In the absence of ambiguity, the language in the constitution must be applied as it reads” and this Court is obligated to apply its “plain meaning.” Janklow, 530 N.W.2d at 370.

[¶ 35.] Indeed, while article III, § 1 gives the legislature power in areas excluded from the scope of the referendum, the power is not exclusive. It is concurrent with the people’s right to initiate measures. As stated in Pyle:

The legislature is not given exclusive power in the excepted field. The power is only concurrent with the power of the people to initiate a law on any subject. The exception applies only to the referendum and the initiative is as applicable in this field as anywhere.

Pyle, 55 S.D. at 272, 226 N.W. at 281. (emphasis added). The people’s power to initiate laws on any subject, including those excluded from the scope of the referendum, is concurrent with the legislature’s authority to propose measures. S.D.Const., art. Ill, § 1. There is nothing in the 1898 amendment to article III, § 1 “which, either expressly or impliedly, in any degree, conflicts with, inhibits, limits, abridges, or prohibits any part of the legislative power originally granted to it to react, amend, or repeal any laüo which it might have enacted before the adoption of this amendment.” Whisman, 36 S.D. at 269, 154 N.W. at 709. (emphasis added). Consequently, the people’s power to propose measures includes the legislative power to repeal laws.

[¶ 36.] In support of Christensen’s interpretation of the limited scope of the 1898 amendment to article III, § 1, the secretary of state contends that the public debate surrounding the campaign of 1898 was limited to the extent of the limitations on the referendum. From this the secretary of state concludes the initiative was relegated to a secondary status that could not be used to set aside acts of the legislature. Legislative acts could only be set aside by the people under referendum. See Tiffany, supra, 350 at n. 27. A reading of the constitutional text does not support such a limited view. We must assume the drafters said what they meant and meant what they said. Gloe v. Union Ins. Co., 2005 SD 30, 694 N.W.2d 252. Further, although far from dispositive, impassioned statements such as those made by Governor Lee during the 1898 campaign to secure passage of the right of initiative are anything but indifferent. See Schell, “Andrew E. Lee,” Over a Century of Leadership at 68.

[¶ 37.] Despite the statement to the contrary in Christensen, the people’s power to initiate measures to repeal existing laws does not blur the distinction between the initiative and referendum or nullify the referendum provision of article III, § 1. The referendum allows the people to vote on a legislatively enacted law before it takes effect except when the law is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health or safety or the support of state government and its existing public institutions. SDConst, art III, § 1. “[I]t is in effect the exercise of veto power.” State v. Summers, 33 S.D. 40, 50, 144 N.W. 730, 732 (1913). The initiative allows the people to propose new laws and to repeal current laws that after the passage of time are reviewed as undesirable or unnecessary.

[¶ 38.] The people’s power to initiate measures to repeal existing laws, including revenue generating laws initially declared emergency legislation, is not without safeguards. Initiative petitions must be filed in the secretary of state’s office by the first Tuesday in May of a general election year. SDCL 2-1-2. In the case of an initiated measure that seeks to repeal existing law, the existing law and, in the case of a revenue generating law, the revenue, remains in place and unaffected for at least six months between the filing of the petition and the general election. This allows for stability in government while the electorate debates the merits of the proposal. It also allows for legislative planning to prepare for circumstances arising if the repeal is successful. Should the voters approve an initiative to repeal existing law, the repeal becomes effective the day after the completion of the official canvass by the State Canvassing Board. SDCL 2-1-12.

CONCLUSION

[¶ 39.] Thus based on an examination of the history of the initiative and referendum in South Dakota, South Dakota case law, and the language of article III, § 1, we conclude that the people’s power to propose measures includes the power to propose repeal of existing laws. Therefore, Christensen is overruled to the extent that it is inconsistent with this opinion. Petitioners have demonstrated that they have a clear legal right to have each initiated measure placed on the ballot. The secretary of state has the definite legal obligation to place each measure on the ballot. Accordingly, the writs of mandamus will issue.

[¶ 40.] SABERS, Justice, ZINTER, Justice and MEIERHENRY, Justice, concur.

[¶ 41.] KONENKAMP, Justice, concurs with writing.

KONENKAMP, Justice

(concurring).

[¶ 42.] I concur with the Court’s opinion. The language in Christensen v. Carson, 533,N.W.2d 712 (S.D.1995) was overbroad. Judges have an obligation to reexamine their views when superior proof is brought forth to challenge previous understandings. For me, such is the case here.

      . At oral argument counsel discussed whether this issue is ripe for judicial review. Without deciding whether the issue before us is a ripe justiciable controversy, we note there are well recognized exceptions where courts address the merits of an issue. Two well recognized exceptions to the ripeness doctrine are where the matter is capable of repetition and a matter of great public importance. Sedlacek v. S.D. Teener Baseball Program, 437 N.W.2d 866, 868 (S.D.1989). We are advised that of the forty previous proposed initiated measures to reach the general election ballot, thirty-seven would have involved either the repeal or the amendment of an existing statute (see footnote 8). Moreover, no one has suggested that the scope of the right of the people to propose initiated measures is not of great public importance. For this very reason we granted the right to proceed directly to this Court and are adjudicating it in an expedited manner prior to the election.

      . There obviously is a definitional distinction in a dictionary between a "repeal” and an "amendment.” See Black’s Law Dictionary, repeal/amendment distinguished at 1299 (6th ed. 1993). However, both actions have a significant effect on an existing statute. The text of the constitution makes no distinction between the two. Neither historical analysis nor early case law support a legal differentiation. Logically if a repeal is within the scope of the power to initiate measures, an amendment is permissible. If an amendment is to be given different legal status than a repeal, we enter the world of hair-splitting distinctions between what is a 99.9999 percent decrease in a tax by amendment of a statute versus an outright repeal. With no more support of a legal distinction than this, for purposes of this issue, we treat the legal effect of a repeal and an amendment upon an existing statute as a distinction without a legal difference.

      . Under the South Dakota Constitution this Court is charged with the ultimate interpretation of that document and the constitutionality of statutes enacted by the legislature. In the early case of McCoy v. Handlin, 35 S.D. 487, 493, 153 N.W. 361, 363 (1915) the then state auditor declared: “I believe the statute to be unconstitutional, and I deny to the judiciary of the state the right to determine the correctness of my views....” This Court concluded otherwise and issued a writ of mandamus to the auditor to enforce the ministerial acts of his office.
      In the case now before us, the secretary of state and the attorney general correctly followed our fundamental constitutional analysis set forth in Handlin:

      It is certainly a novel and a startling proposition that, under the constitution vesting the judicial powers of the state in her courts, an ... executive officer has the right and power to disregard the plain provisions of a statute and refuse to perform a purely ministerial act required of him thereunder, thus depriving another of a property right conferred by such statute .... (emphasis original).

        Handlin, 35 S.D. at 493, 153 N.W. at 363. Brendtro and Verizon find fault with the secretary of state and attorney general’s reliance upon Christensen and claim it to be no more than reliance upon obiter dictum. Even if correct, it does not relegate that portion of an opinion of this Court to irrelevance.
      "It is a maxim, not to be disregarded, that general expressions, in every opinion, are to be taken in connection with the case in which those expressions are used. If they go beyond the case, they may be respected, but ought not to control the judgment in a subsequent suit when the very point is presented for decision. The reason for the maxim is obvious. The question actually before the court is investigated with care, and considered in its full extent. Other principles which may serve to illustrate it are considered in their relation to the case decided, but their possible bearing on all other cases is seldom completely investigated.”

        Handlin, 35 S.D. at 502, 153 N.W. at 367 (quoting Cohens v. Virginia, 6 Wheat. 264, 399, 19 U.S. 264, 5 L.Ed. 257).

      . Our attention has been called to case law from other states that deal with this issue. In other cases we have been assisted by relying on case law from other states, especially those that have constitutional provisions which South Dakota may have copied or relied upon in drafting its constitution. However, in this instance, South Dakota was the first state in the country to adopt initiative and referendum, George Martin Smith, South Dakota: Its History and Its People at 680 (1915). Moreover, it is clear that the impetus for this movement was not from external sources but was rather a long-standing movement within our own borders. 1 Doane Robinson, South Dakota: Sui Generis at 351-353 (1930) (hereinafter Robinson).

      . There is no record of this being raised either in the 1883 or the 1887 Constitutional Conventions. See Journal of the 1883 Constitutional Convention, South Dakota Department of History Collections at 291 (1942) and Statehood for Dakota-Proceedings of the Territorial Convention of 1887, South Dakota Department of History at 469 (1942).

      . On seven occasions since it was enacted in 1898 proposed amendments to article III, § 1 have been submitted to a vote of the people. 1913 S.D.Sess.L. ch. 132; 1921 S.D.Sess.L. ch. 146; 1969 S.D.Sess.L. ch. 242; 1974 S.D.Sess.L. ch. 1; 1975 S.D.Sess.L. ch. 2; 1980 S.D.Sess.L. ch. 2; 1987 S.D.Sess.L. ch. 2. All but one amendment was rejected by the voters. Those rejected included 1913, 1921, and 1969 proposed amendments changing the number of electors required to invoke the initiative or referendum, 1974 and 1975 proposed amendments excepting appropriations from the initiative power, and a 1980 proposal to restrict the legislature from changing laws voted on by the people. The only proposal to be approved was a 1987 amendment that deleted the provisions requiring the legislature to enact proposed initiated measures. The rejection of the majority of proposed amendments to article III, § 1 indicates its "popular approval” after 117 years of operation, Pyle, 55 S.D. at 273, 226 N.W. at 282, as well as the determination of South Dakotans to protect their right to place measures on the ballot.

      . The voters rejected this initiated measure by a margin of 41,405 to 39,075. 1909 South Dakota Legislative Manual at 373. The people also referred three laws enacted by the legislature dealing with divorce, 1907 S.D.Sess.L. ch. 132, the protection and preservation of quail, 1907 S.D.Sess.L. ch. 158, and the prohibition of theatrical performances on Sunday. 1907 S.D.Sess.L. ch. 234. In each case a majority of the voters voted for the act and it went into effect. 1909 South Dakota Legislative Manual at 373-374.

      . Verizon notes that since 1898, forty initiated statutory measures have been submitted to the electors. Twenty-two contained repeal language while fifteen amended existing statutes.

      . Apparently the editors of CJS have now concluded otherwise. The 1999 edition of 82 CJS Statutes § 114 now states:
      An initiative may repeal a statute, expressly or by implication,.... Initiative may be used to create legislation which voters cannot vote on through referendum.
      More fundamentally, the crucial sentence of the 1953 edition of CJS cites as its authority for its statement, "and to empower the people, in case the legislature fails to act, to enact such measures themselves,” this Court’s opinion in Whisman, 36 S.D. at 272, 154 N.W. at 711. A review of Whisman establishes that it does not contain those crucial words as is attributed to it by the 1953 edition of CJS. Thus, there was no primary authority for the statement to begin with.

      . This may include the legislative repeal or amendment of an initiated measure. Whisman, 36 S.D. at 269, 154 N.W. at 710. We note that in 1993 the legislature amended a 1984 initiated measure prohibiting schools from opening before Labor Day. 1984 S.D.Sess.L. ch. 118; 1993 S.D.Sess.L. ch. 133.

      . We are also asked to ascertain whether the secretaiy of state possesses a ministerial or discretionary duly to place initiatives on the ballot. Given our disposition above, we need not address this additional matter. Even if it were deemed to be a discretionary duly, we have held that an error of law can be by definition an abuse of discretion. Halls v. White, 2006 SD 47, 715 N.W.2d 577.


source: Caselaw Access Project

author: CADY, Justice.

license: Public Domain

text:
    Bobby D. MARTIN, Sr., Appellee, v. Bobby D. MARTIN II, Appellant.
    No. 05-0101.
    Supreme Court of Iowa.
    Aug. 18, 2006.

      Cathleen J. Siebrecht of Siebrecht & Siebrecht Law Firm, Des Moines, for appellant.
    Greg A. Life of Life Law Office, Oska-loosa, for appellee.
   CADY, Justice.

This is a partition action in which the plaintiff claims an interest in land as a tenant in common by virtue of a deed from the grantor not joined in by his spouse. The district court concluded the deed was valid and ordered the land to be partitioned by sale. The court of appeals reversed. On our review, we agree with the court of appeals. We reverse the decision of the district court.

I. Background Facts and Proceedings

Robert Martin Jr. (“Bobby”) purchased a forty-acre tract of land in Appanoose County on contract for $12,000 on November 1, 1993. The real estate contract named Bobby as the buyer, and the sellers gave Bobby a warranty deed in 1999 after Bobby completed the payments required under the contract. Bobby lived in a mobile home located on the land.

Bobby’s father, Robert Martin Sr. (“Bob”), provided funds to Bobby to assist in the purchase of the land. After the purchase in 1993, Bob moved his personal property, equipment, and numerous items described as “junk” onto the land, with Bobby’s assistance. In addition, Bob made several improvements to the land. He built a pond and a driveway, cleared trees, graded the land, and installed water pipes. Bob claimed that Bobby acknowledged on numerous occasions that they both owned the land.

Bobby married on June 13, 1999. His wife, Sheryl, lived in the home located on the land until Bobby filed for divorce in November 1999. At that time, Bobby and Sheryl separated, and Sheryl moved out of the home. Bobby and Sheryl had two children together.

During the pendency of the divorce proceedings, Bob and Bobby entered into an agreement, entitled “Agreement Regarding Real Property.” Under the agreement, Bob and Bobby acknowledged they both owned the forty-acre tract of land. They signed the agreement on February 21, 2000. That same day, Bobby executed a quitclaim deed that conveyed the land from himself (as the sole owner) to himself and Bob as tenants in common. Although Bobby and Sheryl were still married at the time, Sheryl did not sign the deed. Bobby apparently placed the deed in a safe, because he “thought it wasn’t good” at the time, and neither Bob nor Bobby recorded the deed.

Bobby and Sheryl were divorced a year later on February 21, 2001. The court awarded the homestead property to Bobby. On July 18, 2003, after a dispute arose with Bobby, Bob recorded the quitclaim deed. There was no explanation as to how or when Bob acquired possession of the deed. Bob then filed a petition for partition on August 18, 2003. Bob claimed that he and Bobby owned the land as tenants in common by virtue of the quitclaim deed. He asked the court to have it partitioned by sale. Bobby responded to the petition by claiming Bob had no ownership interest in the land because the quitclaim deed by which Bob claimed to have acquired his interest was not executed by Sheryl as required by Iowa Code section 561.13 and was invalid. See Iowa Code § 651.2 (2003) (stating the defendant’s answer in a partition action may deny the interest of the plaintiff); accord Iowa R. Civ. P. 1.1203(2). The district court held the quitclaim deed was valid, and Bob had a one-half undivided interest in the land as a tenant in common. The court ordered the land to be partitioned by sale. The district court also awarded Bob attorney fees of $2,728.52.

The district court found that the facts of this case were unique, and did not fall within the purpose of the statutory requirement under section 561.13 for the spouse to join in a conveyance of the homestead. Accordingly, it held that section 561.13 should not be applied to invalidate the deed because to do so would result in manifest injustice. The specific facts identified by the district court to support its conclusion that the statute was inapplicable were that the homestead was premarital property of Bobby, Sheryl moved from the homestead prior to the time the quitclaim deed was executed, Bobby was granted the homestead in the dissolution of marriage based on a stipulated agreement between Bobby and Sheryl, and Sheryl was not asserting any rights to invalidate the deed. Instead, the district court found Bobby was using the statute to assert a “technical defect” and that he was not seeking to use the statute to benefit Sheryl or the children. The district court also found that if the statute did apply, then the stipulation entered into by Bobby and Sheryl that included an agreement that Bobby would be awarded the homestead constituted a ratification of the quitclaim deed and validated the deed under section 561.13.

Bobby appealed. He claimed the quitclaim deed was invalid because the land constituted his homestead, he was married at the time of the conveyance, and his former wife never joined in the conveyance to Bob. The court of appeals reversed. It held the quitclaim deed was invalid because Bobby was married at the time the deed was executed and his wife did not sign the deed. It rejected any notion that the statute could be applied to support a contrary result based upon the particular equities of the case. Bob applied for, and we granted, further review.

II. Standard of Review

An action to partition property is an equitable proceeding. Iowa R. Civ. P. 1.1201(1). Therefore, our review is de novo. Thiele v. Whittenbaugh, 291 N.W.2d 324, 327 (Iowa 1980) (citing Huse v. Noffke, 271 N.W.2d 682, 683 (Iowa 1978)). Nevertheless, “we are justified in giving weight to the trial court’s findings, especially so far as they relate to credibility of witnesses, in view of his better position to determine the real truth.” Watts v. Archer, 252 Iowa 592, 596, 107 N.W.2d 549, 551 (1961) (citing Rasmussen v. Rasmussen, 252 Iowa 414, 419, 107 N.W.2d 114, 117 (1961); Knigge v. Dencker, 246 Iowa 1387, 1395, 72 N.W.2d 494, 498 (1955)).

III. Discussion

There are many statutory and legal requirements that must be met for a deed to result in a valid conveyance. See generally Iowa Code ch. 558. One requirement is that a spouse must join in a conveyance of the homestead. Iowa Code section 561.13' provides, in relevant part:

A conveyance or encumbrance of ... the homestead, if the owner is married, is not valid, unless and until the spouse of the owner executes the same or a like instrument, or a power of attorney for the execution of the same or a like instrument, and the instrument or power of attorney sets out the legal description of the homestead.

Id. § 561.13.

A conveyance by deed does not take place until the deed is delivered. See McNertney v. Kahler, 710 N.W.2d 209, 212 (Iowa 2006) (“A deed to be operative as a transfer of real estate must be delivered.”) (citing 23 Am.Jur.2d Deeds § 102, at 141 (2002)); accord Orud v. Groth, 652 N.W.2d 447, 451 (Iowa 2002) (“To effectuate transfer of title under a deed, there must be delivery, actual or symbolical, accompanied with the intention of the grantor to transfer title without any reservation of control.” (citing Lathrop v. Knoop, 202 Iowa 621, 623, 210 N.W. 764, 765-66 (1926); Tutt v. Smith, 201 Iowa 107, 110-11, 204 N.W. 294, 295-96 (1925))). Bob claims the deed was not delivered until after Bobby and Sheryl were divorced. Therefore, he argues, the “conveyance” under section 561.13 did not occur during the time Bobby was married, and Sheryl’s signature was not needed to pass title. See Iowa Code § 561.13 (“A conveyance or encumbrance of ... the homestead, if the owner is married, is not valid, unless and until the spouse of the owner executes the same or a like instrument, or a power of attorney for the execution of the same or a like instrument, and the instrument or power of attorney sets out the legal description of the homestead.” (Emphasis added.)).

There is a longstanding presumption that delivery occurs on the date the deed is signed. Orud v. Groth, 708 N.W.2d 72, 76 (Iowa 2006) (citing Conway v. Rock, 139 Iowa 162, 164, 117 N.W. 273, 274 (1908)); accord Klosterboer v. Engelkes, 255 Iowa 1076, 1083, 125 N.W.2d 115, 119 (1963) (“In the absence of evidence to the contrary a recorded deed is presumed to have been delivered on the date of its execution and acknowledgment.”); Richardson v. Estle, 214 Iowa 1007, 1009, 243 N.W. 611, 613 (1932) (“In the absence of evidence to the contrary, the deed was presumed to be delivered on the date of its execution.”); Hall v. Cardell, 111 Iowa 206, 209, 82 N.W. 503, 504 (1900) (“The presumption is that the deed was delivered on the day of its date or acknowledgment.” (citing McGee v. Allison, 94 Iowa 527, 63 N.W. 322 (1895); Farwell v. Des Moines Brick Mfg. Co., 97 Iowa 286, 66 N.W. 176 (1896); Nichols v. Sadler, 99 Iowa 429, 68 N.W. 709 (1896))). In this case, the deed was signed on February 21, 2000 — -when Bobby was married to Sheryl. Bob bears the burden of rebutting the presumption that the deed was delivered on that date “by clear, convincing and satisfactory evidence to the contrary.” Orud, 708 N.W.2d at 76 (citing Jones v. Betz, 203 Iowa 767, 768, 210 N.W. 609, 609 (1926)).

The evidence in this case fails to rebut the presumption of delivery on the date the deed was executed. Although Bob claims in his brief “Bobby delivered the quit claim deed later, after his marriage had been terminated,” there is nothing in the record to support this claim. There is no evidence of how and when Bob acquired possession of the deed. The only evidence on the issue was Bob’s testimony that he “got it back later.” This evidence is vague and insufficient to rebut the presumption that the deed was delivered when signed. It certainly does not establish that the deed was delivered after Bobby and Sheryl divorced. Therefore, we conclude the conveyance was attempted when Bobby was married, and the language of section 561.13 is implicated to govern the validity of the conveyance.

Section 561.13 invalidates deeds not signed by both spouses “unless and until the spouse of the owner executes the same or a like instrument” that sets out the legal description of the homestead. Iowa Code § 561.13. If the statute is not satisfied, the deed is invalid as to both the husband and the wife. Beal Bank v. Siems, 670 N.W.2d 119, 124-25 (Iowa 2003); accord Hostetler v. Eddy, 128 Iowa 401, 406, 104 N.W. 485, 487 (1905) (holding contract not signed by wife “was void in favor of both husband and wife”); Goodwin v. Goodwin, 113 Iowa 319, 324, 85 N.W. 31, 32 (1901) (“A conveyance of a homestead occupied by husband and wife, in which the wife does not join, is invalid for any purpose.”); see also Thayer v. Sherman, 218 Iowa 451, 458, 255 N.W. 506, 509 (1934) (“The provisions of this section are for the benefit of all who are interested in the homestead. It is designed as a protection to the wife, the children, and the husband himself.” (citing Lunt v. Neeley, 67 Iowa 97, 24 N.W. 739 (1885))).

The district court found section 561.13 was satisfied in this ease because Sheryl executed a “like instrument” that legally described the homestead. The “like instrument” the court relied on was the stipulated dissolution decree between Bobby and Sheryl, which provided:

the homestead of [Bobby], which was owned by [Bobby] prior to his marriage to [Sheryl], and legally described in Exhibit 1’ shall be awarded to [Bobby], solely, subject to any and all amounts due upon said property to any party, including real estate taxes, which [Bobby] shall assume, pay and hold [Sheryl] harmless from any amounts due thereon.

We think the district court read the words “like instrument” too broadly. The words “like instrument” are not meant to enlarge the class of documents by which the spouse can join in the conveyance beyond instruments of conveyance or encumbrance, such as deeds or mortgages. Rather, the words “like instrument” mean only that the spouse need not sign the same deed as the owner in order to join in the conveyance. Until 1981, the statute required a joint instrument. See Iowa Code § 561.13 (1981) (“No conveyance or encumbrance of, or contract to convey or encumber the homestead, if the owner is married, is valid, unless the husband and wife join in the execution of the same joint instrument, and the instrument sets out the legal description of the homestead .... ”). In 1981, however, the legislature amended the statute to also allow the husband and wife to effectuate the conveyance by separate instruments:

No A conveyance or encumbrance of, or contract to convey or encumber the homestead, if the owner is married, is not valid, unless and until the husband and wife join in the- execution of the same- joint spouse of the owner executed the same or a like instrument, or a power of attorney for the execution of the same of a like instrument, and the instrument or power of attorney sets out the legal description of the homestead

1981 Iowa Acts ch. 81, § 1. An explanation of the bill noted that the change

eliminates the requirement that both spouses execute the same joint instrument in order to convey or encumber the homestead. Instead, the spouse of the titleholder, if the spouses do not hold joint title to the property, may execute a like instrument or power of attorney for the execution of the instrument or a like instrument conveying or encumbering the homestead.

Explanation of H.F. 430, 69th Gen. As-semb., Reg. Sess. (Iowa 1981).

Although a decree for dissolution of marriage may constitute a muniment of title, a dissolution decree, or a stipulation, cannot be viewed as a conveyance of land to a nonparty to the dissolution of marriage. See Iowa Code § 598.21(1) (court required to divide property of the parties in a dissolution decree and transfer title of the property by such means as ordering the parties to execute a quitclaim deed or ordering a change of title for tax purposes and delivery of the deed or change of title to the county recorder). Because Bobby attempted to convey his property while he was married, and Sheryl never signed the quitclaim deed executed by Bobby — or another deed or like instrument that transferred the property to Bob — section 561.13 invalidates the conveyance.

We also reject the district court’s alternative line of reasoning that section 561.13 did not invalidate the deed because

Sheryl has never taken any action to invalidate the Quit Claim Deed; rather, it is Bobby who seizes the opportunity to plead a technical defect in his own earlier, and counseled, act. And, he does that solely for his own benefit and not in the stead of Sheryl or the couple’s children.

This argument has no basis in our law. Section 561.13 makes a deed invalid — that is, void — without the signature of both spouses, not merely voidable by the spouse who did not sign. Iowa Code § 561.13; Beal Bank, 670 N.W.2d at 124-25; accord Hostetler, 128 Iowa at 406, 104 N.W. at 487 (holding contract not signed by wife, “was void in favor of both husband and wife”); Goodwin, 113 Iowa at 324, 85 N.W. at 32 (“A conveyance of a homestead occupied by husband and wife, in which the wife does not join, is invalid for any purpose.”); see also Thayer, 218 Iowa at 458, 255 N.W. at 509 (“The provisions of this section are for the benefit of all who are interested in the homestead. It is designed as a protection to the wife, the children, and the husband himself.” (Citation omitted.)).

Moreover, while it may be tempting for trial judges to fashion remedies viewed to be fair and just under the particular circumstances of a case, the law has defined those concepts and must dominate the decisionmaking process. See Iowa State Bank & Trust Co. v. Michel, 683 N.W.2d 95, 107 (Iowa 2004) (“ ‘[CJourts of equity are bound by statutes and follow the law in [the] absence of fraud or mistake.’ ” (quoting Mensch v. Netty, 408 N.W.2d 383, 386 (Iowa 1987))). Absent constitutional concerns, it is not for courts to overlook the language of a statute to reach a particular result deemed unjust under the particular circumstances of a case. See Brunsdon v. Brunsdon, 199 Iowa 1099, 1113, 200 N.W. 823, 829 (1924) (“The conclusion arrived at in this case may result in a grave injustice being done to appellees, but a court of equity cannot so expand its proper jurisdiction as to completely override statutes or ignore established doctrines.”).

Our law has chosen to provide special procedures to protect homestead rights, and has defined this protection in a comprehensive manner. We have said:

[T]he purpose of the homestead laws is “to provide a margin of safety to the family, not only for the benefit of the family, but for the public welfare and social benefit which accrues to the State by having families secure in their homes.”

Brown v. Vonnahme, 343 N.W.2d 445, 451 (Iowa 1984) (quoting In re Marriage of Tierney, 263 N.W.2d 533, 534 (Iowa 1978)). “ ‘[T]o secure the benevolent purposes of the homestead laws,’ we construe these laws broadly and liberally ‘in favor of the beneficiaries of the legislation.’ ” In re Estate of Tolson, 690 N.W.2d 680, 682 (Iowa 2005) (quoting Millsap v. Faulkes, 236 Iowa 848, 852, 20 N.W.2d 40, 42 (1945)); accord Elliott v. Till, 219 Iowa 649, 656, 259 N.W. 460, 464 (1935) (“That the homestead statute must be liberally construed to effectuate its purpose, there is no question.”); Hunt, Hill & Betts v. Moore, 219 Iowa 451, 453, 258 N.W. 114, 115 (1934) (“It has been the well-settled rule of this court to construe the homestead statute liberally in favor of the owner of the home.”). This approach means we not only construe the protection of section 561.13 broadly to protect the spouse who does not join in the conveyance, but also in situations such as this, when the protection is sought to be invoked by the owner spouse who failed to obtain the other spouse’s signature. The statute invalidates the conveyance and makes no distinction based on whether the non-signing spouse subsequently loses his or her interest in the homestead.

We disagree with the district court that section 561.13 did not invalidate the deed because Bobby sought to invoke the statute “for his own benefit.” The statute not only exists to benefit Bobby, but the whole family unit, including the children who remain with the parents under a joint custody arrangement. See generally In re Marriage of Tierney, 263 N.W.2d at 534 (noting the homestead exemption “follow[s] the homestead’s award to one of the parties” in a dissolution). The statute draws clear lines, and the court cannot engage in decisionmaking that ignores those lines.

Finally, to the extent the district court relied on Sheryl and Bobby’s estrangement at the time the deed was signed, we reject that reasoning as well. The statute applies “if the owner is married,” Iowa Code § 561.13, and we interpret this phrase strictly, Gustafson v. Fogleman, 551 N.W.2d 312, 315 (Iowa 1996), to include a period of separation preceding divorce.

IV. Conclusion

The district court erred in finding section 561.13 was satisfied, or alternatively, did not apply in this case. A conveyance was attempted while the owner was married, and the spouse did not execute the same or a like instrument joining in the conveyance. It was therefore void. Title never passed to Bob through the quitclaim deed, and Bob has not raised any other grounds to support his claim of ownership. The partition action therefore fails. We therefore affirm the decision of the court of appeals and reverse the judgment of the district court.

DECISION OF COURT OF APPEALS AFFIRMED; DISTRICT COURT JUDGMENT REVERSED.