Opinion ID: 4534545
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: facts

Text: The underlying claim, not at issue here, is a subrogation action in which Great Northern is seeking compensation from Metro under the Political Subdivisions Tort Claims Act. 2 In the proceedings below, Metro challenged Great Northern’s compliance with the notice requirements of the Political Subdivisions Tort Claims Act. 1 See 2019 Neb. Laws, L.B. 179, § 1. 2 Neb. Rev. Stat. § 13-901 et seq. (Reissue 2012). - 611 - Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets 305 Nebraska Reports GREAT NORTHERN INS. CO. v. TRANSIT AUTH. OF OMAHA Cite as 305 Neb. 609 Metro moved for summary judgment based on sovereign immunity. Metro claimed that Great Northern did not properly comply with the Political Subdivisions Tort Claims Act and that the failure to comply with the notice requirements meant that Metro never waived sovereign immunity. On August 23, 2019, the district court denied Metro’s motion on the ground that Metro was estopped from asserting immunity after Metro’s outside counsel responded to Great Northern’s notice. On September 3, Metro moved to reconsider. The motion was denied, and Metro filed an appeal on September 19. Metro’s notice of appeal stated that it was appealing the original order denying summary judgment. On October 11, the Court of Appeals summarily dismissed the appeal, explaining that a denial of a motion for summary judgment is interlocutory and not a final order pursuant to § 25-1902. However, § 25-1902 was amended effective September 1, 2019. 3 This change added language specifying that an order denying summary judgment when the motion is based on sovereign immunity is a final order. The relevant sections were amended to read: (1) The following are final orders which may be vacated, modified, or reversed: .... (d) An order denying a motion for summary judgment when such motion is based on the assertion of sovereign immunity or the immunity of a government official. (2) An order under subdivision (1)(d) of this section may be appealed pursuant to section 25-1912 within thirty days after the entry of such order or within thirty days after the entry of judgment. 4 Because the change to § 25-1902 took effect before the appeal was filed, but after the order itself was issued, the question presented is which version of the final order statute should apply. 3 Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-1902 (Supp. 2019). 4 See id. - 612 - Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets 305 Nebraska Reports GREAT NORTHERN INS. CO. v. TRANSIT AUTH. OF OMAHA Cite as 305 Neb. 609 ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR Metro argues that the Court of Appeals erred by failing to recognize that the denial of Metro’s motion for summary judgment asserting sovereign immunity was a final order under § 25-1902 as of September 1, 2019.