Opinion ID: 1192700
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Assignment Regarding Motion to Dismiss

Text: Appellants' final assignment of error, i.e., that the court erred in denying appellants' motion to dismiss, needs some elaboration. Plaintiffs' complaint did allege sufficient facts to state a cause of action for declaratory relief regarding the dispute between plaintiffs and defendants concerning the deletion of areas from the leases. The district court of the Second Judicial District for Clearwater County did have jurisdiction of the subject matter of that declaratory judgment action as prayed for in the complaint. Our venue statute, I.C. § 5-401, provides that actions for the determination in any form of a right or interest in real property shall be tried in the county in which the property is located, Clearwater County in this case. I.C. § 5-402 provides that venue of an action against a public officer is in the county where the cause, or some part thereof, arose. This Court has held that a cause of action questioning the conduct of a public official which is allegedly in excess of his authority arises in the county where the property affected by the action is located. State v. Lake Tavern, 73 Idaho 377, 252 P.2d 831 (1953). Thus, in this declaratory action wherein the plaintiffs are attempting to obtain a determination that certain leases in Clearwater County are valid as executed, venue would lie in Clearwater County for that purpose. State v. Lake Tavern, supra . Sovereign immunity is no defense to an action involving state leases. I.C. § 5-328. Grant Construction Co. v. Burns et al., 92 Idaho 408, 443 P.2d 1005 (1968). Therefore, the motion to dismiss, as it relates to the cause of action for declaratory judgment is without merit and appellants' assignment of error in that regard fails. If upon trial of this matter the plaintiffs feel that injunctive relief is necessary to preserve their rights in the leases, such action must be brought in the Fourth Judicial District for Ada County where the defendants reside. In that event upon proper motion, the district court of the Second Judicial District for Clearwater County has authority pursuant to I.C. § 5-406(3) to change the venue of the entire declaratory judgment action to the Fourth Judicial District if the court determines that the ends of justice would be promoted by the change so that the entire transaction may be handled in a single action and avoid a multiplicity of actions. Such a motion must be made within a reasonable time after the decision on this appeal becomes final. Sweeney v. American National Bank, 64 Idaho 695, 136 P.2d 973 (1943). The summary judgment is reversed, the order pendente lite dissolved, and the matter remanded to the trial court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion. Costs to appellant. DONALDSON, C.J., McQUADE and McFADDEN, JJ., and SCOGGIN, District Judge, concur.