Opinion ID: 2227782
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: psc's constitutional authority

Text: Nonetheless, the intervenors contend that the Legislature's failure to specifically define the phrase contract carrier in the telecommunications context is of no moment, since the PSC has the right to define that phrase under article IV, § 20, of the Nebraska Constitution. Article IV, § 20, states in part: The powers and duties of [the PSC] shall include the regulation of rates, service and general control of common carriers as the Legislature may provide by law. But, in the absence of specific legislation, the [PSC] shall exercise the powers and perform the duties enumerated in this provision. Clearly, the PSC has the inherent constitutional authority to regulate common carriers under this section. See, e.g., State ex rel. Spire v. Northwestern Bell Tel. Co., 233 Neb. 262, 445 N.W.2d 284 (1989). Indeed, we have stated that in the absence of specific legislation, the powers of the PSC, as enumerated in article IV, § 20, are absolute and unqualified. Myers v. Blair Tel. Co., 194 Neb. 55, 230 N.W.2d 190 (1975); State ex rel. State Railway Commission v. Ramsey, 151 Neb. 333, 37 N.W.2d 502 (1949). However, the powers enumerated in article IV, § 20, apply only to common carriers. The term common carriers, as used in article IV, § 20, is coextensive with the meaning of that phrase at common law. See, e.g., State v. Union Stock Yards Co., 81 Neb. 67, 115 N.W. 627 (1908). Contract carriers were not considered common carriers at common law. See City of Bayard v. North Central Gas Co ., supra . Thus, the PSC's constitutional authority over common carriers does not extend to contract carriers. Kopf v. Public Telephone Co., 173 Neb. 96, 112 N.W.2d 521 (1961). See, also, Consumers P.P. Dist. v. Twin Valleys P.P. Dist., 172 Neb. 315, 109 N.W.2d 372 (1961); City of Bayard v. North Central Gas Co., 164 Neb. 819, 83 N.W.2d 861 (1957); State v. Southern Elkhorn Telephone Co., 106 Neb. 342, 183 N.W. 562 (1921). In the absence of constitutional authority, an administrative agency has only that power which has been granted to it by the Legislature. Stoneman v. United Neb. Bank, 254 Neb. 477, 577 N.W.2d 271 (1998). When the Legislature grants the PSC jurisdiction over non-common carriers, the PSC must exercise such authority completely within the statutory scheme. See, In re Complaint of Fecht, 216 Neb. 535, 344 N.W.2d 636 (1984); Consumers P.P. Dist. v. Twin Valleys P.P. Dist., supra . Moreover, the meaning of a statute is a question of law, and a reviewing court is obligated to reach its conclusions independent of the determination made by the administrative agency. Baker's Supermarkets v. State, 248 Neb. 984, 540 N.W.2d 574 (1995). Therefore, the intervenors' reliance on the PSC's constitutional authority in the instant case is misplaced. We do not express any opinion as to whether the NPPD is authorized to provide telecommunications services as a contract carrier or otherwise. The dispositive fact is that the NPPD was not acting as a common carrier as determined by the PSC. Because we have already determined that the PSC's jurisdiction does not extend to telecommunications contract carriers, we conclude that the PSC lacked jurisdiction over the NPPD. Therefore, the PSC had no authority to render any order concerning the NPPD. See City of Bayard v. North Central Gas Co., supra .