Opinion ID: 902125
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: standard of review

Text: [¶11.] SDCL 1-26-37 establishes the standard of review used in administrative appeals. According to the statute, the applicable standard of review varies “‘depending on whether the issue is one of fact or one of law.’” Martin v. Am. Colloid Co., 2011 S.D. 57, ¶ 8, 804 N.W.2d 65, 67 (quoting Darling v. W. River Masonry, Inc., 2010 S.D. 4, ¶ 10, 777 N.W.2d 363, 366). “[A]ctions of the agency are judged by the clearly erroneous standard when the issue is a question of fact.” Id. (citing Darling, 2010 S.D. 4, ¶ 10, 777 N.W.2d at 366). “[A]ctions of the agency are fully reviewable when the issue is a question of law.” Darling, 2010 S.D. 4, ¶ 10, 777 N.W.2d at 366 (citing Orth v. Stoebner & Permann Constr., Inc., 2006 S.D. 99, ¶ 27, 724 N.W.2d 586, 592). Jurisdictional issues are questions of law and are reviewed de novo. Martin, 2011 S.D. 57, ¶ 8, 804 N.W.2d at 67. See O’Toole v. Bd. of Trs. of S.D. Ret. Sys., 2002 S.D. 77, ¶ 9, 648 N.W.2d 342, 345. Finally, “[w]e review statutory questions de novo, as they are questions of law.” Fredekind v. Trimac Ltd., 1997 S.D. 79, ¶ 4, 566 N.W.2d 148, 150 (citing Permann v. Dept. of Labor, Unemp. Ins. Div., 411 N.W.2d 113, 117 (S.D. 1987)).