Opinion ID: 1210782
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: jurisdiction

Text: Prior to transfer of this case from the Court of Appeals, the Court of Appeals questioned appellate jurisdiction based on the Board's second order affirming the agency's dismissal of Humphreys, which was filed subsequent to the filing of the notice of appeal in this case. In light of the subsequent order, the Court of Appeals requested the parties to brief the issue of jurisdiction. KDOT responded that the appellate courts lack jurisdiction to review the district court's remand order because Humphreys did not appeal the Board's subsequent and final order affirming her dismissal. Humphreys asserted that the appellate courts' interest in judicial economy warrants review of the issue at this time. The Kansas Act for Judicial Review and Civil Enforcement of Agency Actions (Kansas Judicial Review Act), K.S.A. 77-601 et seq., provides the exclusive means of obtaining judicial review of an agency action. See K.S.A. 77-606. Only those persons who have exhausted their administrative remedies may seek review under the Act. W. S. Dickey Clay Mfg. Co. v. Kansas Corp. Comm'n, 241 Kan. 744, 751, 740 P.2d 585 (1987). Those who appeal an agency action to the district court pursuant to the Act may appeal the district court decision to the appellate courts, just as parties do in other civil cases. K.S.A. 77-623. Here, Humphreys exhausted her administrative remedies. KDOT appealed from the Board's final order. The district court remanded the case to the Board. The district court's decision was final. Humphreys appealed the district court's order to the Court of Appeals. This she is permitted to do by K.S.A. 77-623. Although the Board's second order was signed on May 1, 1997, according to the order, it was considered on April 1, 1997. In light of Humphreys' appeal, the Board did not have jurisdiction to redetermine Humphreys' case. Therefore, the Board's second order affirming Humphreys' dismissal was without effect and does not impair this court's jurisdiction to hear Humphreys' appeal.