Opinion ID: 1652921
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Scope of Johnson's Authority

Text: The significance of whether Johnson acted within the scope of his authority is that if he was exceeding his authority, he is not protected by the state's sovereign immunity and is liable for damages caused by negligence or intentional tort. National Bank of South Dakota v. Leir, 325 N.W.2d 845, 847 (S.D.1982); Sioux Falls Constr. Co. v. City of Sioux Falls, 297 N.W.2d 454, 458 (S.D.1980); Restatement (Second) of Tort § 895D(3) (1979). For this reason, the parties argue at length which statutory authority Johnson was acting under when he ordered Ritter to the weigh station and whether Johnson exceeded the scope of that authority. [2] However, even assuming that Johnson was acting within the scope of some statutory authority, his act is still not protected by the state's sovereign immunity if it was a ministerial act. Gasper v. Freidel, 450 N.W.2d 226, 230-232 (S.D.1990); Bego v. Gordon, 407 N.W.2d 801, 806-807 (S.D.1987); National Bank of South Dakota v. Leir, 325 N.W.2d at 850; Kruger v. Wilson, 325 N.W.2d 851, 854 (S.D.1982); Restatement, supra, § 895D(3)(a). The reason that state employees are shielded from lawsuits by the state's immunity when they perform discretionary acts within the scope of their authority is that such discretionary acts participate in the state's sovereign policy-making power. National Bank v. Leir, Id.; Sioux Falls Constr. Co. v. City of Sioux Falls, Id .; 63A Am.Jur.2d Public Officers and Employees § 361 (1984). In contrast, a ministerial act is the simple carrying out of a policy already established, National Bank of South Dakota v. Leir, Id. at 848-849, State v. Ruth, 9 S.D. 84, 91, 68 N.W. 189, 190-191 (1896), so that permitting state employees to be held liable for negligence in the performance of merely ministerial duties within the scope of their authority does not compromise the sovereignty of the state. [3] There is no dispute that Johnson was performing a ministerial act when he ordered Ritter to the weigh station. The court so found and neither Johnson nor Ritter contest the point. Therefore, Johnson's acts, if negligent or intentionally tortious, are not protected from suit by the state's sovereign immunity whether within or without the scope of his authority. Thus, there is simply no reason to determine which statutory authority Johnson acted under and whether he exceeded it.