Opinion ID: 1218078
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: templeton's history

Text: Phillip Templeton and his brother have fished together commercially as partners every year from 1969 to 1974. In 1969, 1971 and 1972, the brother's name was on the gear license. In 1970, 1973 and 1974, Templeton appeared as the named licensee. In the years his brother was on the license, Templeton had a commercial fishing license. There was no particular arrangement between them regarding the purchase of the gear license. Both invested in vessels and gear; both fished full time. To the extent that there is any difference between their levels of involvement, Templeton appears to have invested more time and money than did his brother. The brother was awarded an entry permit. Templeton was not. The reason for this disparity is that Templeton did not receive income dependence points for 1971 and 1972, the key years under the Commission's regulations, because his brother held the gear license. Templeton's application for a statewide power gurdy troll entry permit claimed 26 points. The Commission's initial determination verified 16 points. Entry permits were being awarded to all applicants with 20 or more verified points. 20 AAC 05.640(a). Templeton requested and received a hearing before one of the Commission's hearing officers. The hearing officer recommended awarding Templeton an additional 10 points for income dependence in 1971 and 1972, under the special circumstances provision, 20 AAC 05.630(b)(2). The Commission rejected the hearing officer's recommendation, finding that a gear license was a necessary prerequisite to special consideration under section 630(b)(2). On appeal, the superior court substituted its judgment, adopted the reasoning of the hearing officer, and reversed the Commission, ordering that the contested points and an entry permit be awarded.