Opinion ID: 2640775
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Enforcement of orders

Text: Another factor that courts have looked at in assessing the constitutionality of an agency's power is whether an agency can enforce an order that it creates. [55] As we recognized in a previous separation of powers case, the essence of judicial power is the final authority to render and enforce a judgment. [56] Neither the Appeals Commission nor the Board has the ability to enforce its own orders. AKPIRG contends that after the legislature removed the superior court's jurisdiction to hear workers' compensation appeals, this court alone can enforce Board or Appeals Commission orders. We disagree. The superior court retains jurisdiction to compel compliance with Board subpoenas [57] and to enter judgments when a party to a workers' compensation proceeding defaults on payment of a compensation order. [58] The superior court's authority to enter a judgment when an employer defaults on payments is independent of its power to hear appeals. [59] In addition, nothing deprives the superior court of jurisdiction to hear declaratory actions related to the Alaska Workers' Compensation Act. [60] Because the Appeals Commission cannot enforce its own orders, it lacks one of the essential attributes of a court.