Opinion ID: 874029
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Director Has the Statutory Authority to Eliminate the Four Regional Director Positions

Text: Arambarri contends that the plain meaning of I.C. § 56-1002(3) requires a separate regional director for each of the seven administrative regions. He also gleans this requirement from the legislative history of I.C. § 56-1002, which he contends provides for a Department with decentralized administration. Arambarri further asserts that in order to eliminate the regional director positions, the Board was required to concur with the Director's decision with a formal vote, primarily because this is what is required to confirm the appointments of the regional directors. Arambarri finally asserts that even if the Board was not required to concur with the Director's decision with a formal vote, the Board did not generally concur as evidenced by Weeg's affidavit. The interpretation of a statute is a question of law over which this Court exercises free review. Doe v. Boy Scouts of Am., 148 Idaho 427, 430, 224 P.3d 494, 497 (2009). Judicial interpretation of a statute begins with an examination of the statute's literal words. State v. Burnight, 132 Idaho 654, 659, 978 P.2d 214, 219 (1999). This Court interprets statutes according to their plain, express meaning and resorts to judicial construction only if the statute is ambiguous, incomplete, absurd, or arguably in conflict with other laws. Arel v. T & L Enter., Inc., 146 Idaho 29, 32, 189 P.3d 1149, 1152 (2008). When this Court must engage in statutory construction, it has the duty to give effect to legislative intent. State v. Rhode, 133 Idaho 459, 462, 988 P.2d 685, 688 (1999). To ascertain the intent of the legislature, not only must the literal words of the statute be examined, but also the context of those words, the public policy behind the statute and its legislative history. Id. Idaho Code section 56-1002(3) governs the creation of the regions and the appointment of directors. It states that: In order to provide more effective and economical access to the state health and social services by the people of Idaho, the governor is hereby authorized to establish substate administrative regions. In the designation of these regions specific consideration shall be given to the geographic and economic convenience of the citizens included therein. Each substate administrative region shall be headed by a regional director who shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the director with the concurrence of the board.