Opinion ID: 1670630
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The suggested new standard

Text: In support of her suggestion that we adopt the substantial evidence on the record as a whole standard, Scarbrough cites two cases involving social security benefits, Thomas v. Sullivan, 876 F.2d 666 (8th Cir.1989), and Gavin v. Heckler, 811 F.2d 1195 (8th Cir.1987). These federal court cases relied on the standard of review applied by the United States Supreme Court in Universal Camera Corp. v. National Labor Relations Bd., 340 U.S. 474, 71 S.Ct. 456, 95 L.Ed. 456 (1951). The United States Supreme Court held that in reviewing administrative findings, [t]he substantiality of evidence must take into account whatever in the record fairly detracts from its weight. The Gavin , Thomas , and Universal Camera cases were based upon 5 U.S.C. § 706 (1989) which requires federal courts to examine the whole record when reviewing administrative decisions. The Court in the Universal Camera case held Congress left no room for doubt as to the kind of scrutiny to be given Labor Board decisions. Because these cases are based upon a statutory requirement not applicable here, we do not find them persuasive. In two other jurisdictions, the appellate courts have apparently also been troubled by the problem of ignoring the credibility findings of the initial hearing officer. The Supreme Court of Florida addressed the problem in U.S. Casualty Co. v. Maryland Casualty Co., 55 So.2d 741 (1951), holding the Commission should not reverse findings oi fact made by a Deputy Commissioner unless the findings were not supported by substantial evidence. In Powell v. Industrial Commission, 4 Ariz.App. 172, 418 P.2d 602 (1966), the Arizona Court of Appeals held that, when the Commission reversed a factual determination made by a referee, the Court would set aside the Commission's decision when the weight of the evidence supported the referee's finding. These cases were based upon the hearing officer's superior vantage point in making factual findings and judging the credibility of witnesses. Despite persuasive arguments in favor of the Florida and Arizona approaches, we feel the constraint of stare decisis, especially when dealing with legislative intent in the interpretation of a statute. Knapp v. State, 283 Ark. 346, 676 S.W.2d 729 (1984). Section ll-9-711(b)(4) requires the Court to affirm the Commission's decision if it is supported by substantial evidence. This Court and the Court of Appeals have interpreted substantial evidence consistently over the past fifty years. The General Assembly is presumed to have known of our decisions. J.L. McEntire & Sons v. Hart Cotton Co., 256 Ark. 937, 511 S.W.2d 179 (1974). It has even codified the language we have used. See Act 253 of 1979 and Act 631 of 1981. If we were to reinterpret the term substantial evidence at this point to include on the record as a whole, we would be overruling precedent without a compelling reason appearing in this case.