Opinion ID: 853219
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Fire Marshal Lacks Standing ...

Text: The Court of Appeals was correct in holding that although Boatwright is a natural person, and [a]ny person interested may bring a declaratory judgment action under Ind.Code Ann. § 34-14-1-2 (West 2001), state officials lack standing when acting on behalf of state agencies as Boatwright does here. Indiana Code Ann. § 34-14-1-13 (West 2001), which defines person for purposes of the Act, does not encompass state agencies. [2] We agree with the Court of Appeals that it would be incongruous to hold that state agencies have no right of action per our decision in Indiana Wholesale Wine & Liquor, 695 N.E.2d at 103, but then allow agency officials to bring identical actions. See Ind. Fireworks Distrib. Ass'n, 741 N.E.2d at 1264. Among other things, such lawsuits in effect allow state agencies to inappropriately shift some of their enforcement responsibilities to the courts. We therefore adopt and incorporate the clear, concise and correct opinion of the Court of Appeals, which concluded, A state official, acting in his or her official capacity, may not bring a declaratory judgment action pursuant to Indiana Code sections 34-14-1-2 and -13. Ind. Fireworks Distrib. Ass'n, 741 N.E.2d at 1265; Ind. Appellate Rule 58(A)(1).