Opinion ID: 2219649
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Statutory Delegation

Text: In addition to arguing that the Commission's promulgation of Rule 28 is unconstitutional, Barco also argues that the Commission exceeded its statutory authority in promulgating Rule 28. We disagree. It is a well-settled principle of law that an administrative agency, in addition to the express powers conferred by statute, also has such implicit power as is necessary to effectuate the regulatory scheme outlined by the statute. Board of Trustees of the Police Pension Fund of the City of Terre Haute v. State (1966), 247 Ind. 570, 576, 219 N.E.2d 886, 890; Ind. Public Service v. Citizens Action Coalition (1989), Ind., 548 N.E.2d 153, 158. In the present case, the legislature specifically granted the Commission the power to regulate the business of permittees. Acting upon that authority, the Commission promulgated Rule 28 which, in practice, fosters competitiveness between wholesalers in that they must vie against each other statewide in the sale of their products. This competition, in turn, according to the 1982 hearings, creates a fresher, less expensive product for the consumer in Indiana. In view of the fact that the legislature set forth the general purpose of the Act and gave the Commission specific power to promulgate rules governing the conduct of the business of permittees governed by the Act, as well as all powers necessary and proper to carry out the policy of the Act, we hold that the Commission's promulgation of Rule 28 was not outside the statutory authority conferred upon it by the legislature.