Opinion ID: 1388739
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: the commission has subject matter jurisdiction to decide whether ebi is liable to smith.

Text: In this appeal, both Smith and EBI assert that the Commission has subject matter jurisdiction to decide whether EBI is liable to Smith. We agree. In declining to accept jurisdiction in this case, the Commission relied heavily on three of our prior decisions: Thompson v. Liberty Nat'l Ins. Co., 78 Idaho 381, 304 P.2d 910 (1956); Martin v. Robert W. Woods Lumber Co., 90 Idaho 105, 408 P.2d 474 (1965) (Martin I); and Martin v. Argonaut Ins. Co., 90 Idaho 107, 408 P.2d 475 (1965) (Martin II). While these decisions appear to support the Commission's decision, the Commission did not have the advantage of our recent decision in Brooks v. Standard Fire Ins. Co., 117 Idaho 1066, 793 P.2d 1238 (1990), when it made its ruling in this case. In Brooks, this Court held that the Commission has jurisdiction to determine which of two sureties is responsible for a claimant's injury and to rule on the claim for reimbursement and contribution between the sureties. Id. at 1069, 793 P.2d at 1241. The Commission premised its decision on I.C. §§ 72-707, which provides: 72-707. Commission has jurisdiction of disputes. All questions arising under this law, if not settled by agreement or stipulation of the interested parties with the approval of the commission, except as otherwise herein provided, shall be determined by the commission. I.C. § 72-707 was enacted as part of the recodification of our workers' compensation law in 1971. 1971 Idaho Sess. Laws, ch. 124, § 3, p. 476. It was, however, substantially identical to a provision that has existed in this state since the first workers' compensation act was enacted in 1917: