Opinion ID: 1764873
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Commission Findings Functus Officio

Text: The majority finds that the language of section 523.061 [1] requires the trial judge to determine heritage value and that this determination is not discretionary. I agree with this statutory interpretation and recognize the mandates placed upon the trial judge within chapter 523. The majority, however, then concludes that because of this mandatory language and the trial court's failure to comply, remand to the commission for factual findings is necessary. I respectfully disagree. As both parties have filed exceptions to the commission's report, there will now be a jury trial to make a new appraisement and to make the factual findings necessary to determine heritage value. See sections 523.050 and 523.060. Upon the filing of exceptions to the commission's report, Relators are entitled to a jury trial as to the damages sustained by them, the report of the commissioners becomes functus officio, [2] and the cause then stands as though no commissioners had ever been appointed. State ex rel. State Highway Com'n v. Deutschman, 346 Mo. 755, 142 S.W.2d 1025, 1028 (1940). The question of damages, including the making of factual findings necessary to determine heritage value, will be tried de novo by the jury as though no commissioners had ever been appointed. See State ex rel. State Highway Commission v. Meadows, 444 S.W.2d 225, 226 (Mo.App.1969). Here, since the report of the commissioners has become functus officio, no purpose would be served by having the commissioners amend their report. State ex rel. State Highway Commission v. Polk, 459 S.W.2d 346, 351 (Mo.1970). As any findings by the commission will be a nullity now that there will be a jury trial, remand back to the commission is superfluous.