"[W]hen legislation that is enacted to repeal, amend or otherwise modify an existing statute, is declared unconstitutional, it is a nullity and . . . the extant statute remains operative without regard to the unsuccessful and invalid legislation." State v. Clark, 367 N.W.2d 168, 169 (N.D. 1985).
Ryan, 520 N.W.2d 39, 45 (N.D. 1994); State v. Pippen, 496 N.W.2d 50 (N.D. 1993). We presume that the legislature knows the law and is aware of previously enacted statutes, State v. Clark, 367 N.W.2d 168 (N.D. 1985), and thus we attempt to harmonize conflicts among them. BASF Corporation v. Symington, 512 N.W.2d 692 (N.D. 1994).
Unconstitutional legislation is void and is to be treated as if it never existed. State v. Clark, 367 N.W.2d 168 (N.D. 1985). An unconstitutional statute is just as inoperative as if it had never been enacted.