Opinion ID: 2600418
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Did the trial court have subject matter jurisdiction to decide Indoor Billboard's CPA claim?

Text: ¶ 19 As a threshold issue, we first determine whether the superior court had subject matter jurisdiction to decide Indoor Billboard's claim. A challenge to a trial court's subject matter jurisdiction to hear a claim is reviewed de novo. Wright v. Colville Tribal Enter. Corp., 159 Wash.2d 108, 118-19, ¶ 23, 147 P.3d 1275 (2006), cert. dismissed, ___ U.S. ___, 127 S.Ct. 2161, 167 L.Ed.2d 887 (2007). ¶ 20 Integra contends the trial court lacked subject matter jurisdiction to decide Indoor Billboard's claims because RCW 80.04.240 vests the WUTC with exclusive original jurisdiction to decide claims that a public service company charged an unreasonable or unlawful rate and Indoor Billboard's claim was that Integra wrongfully or unlawfully collected its PICC. ¶ 21 Indoor Billboard argues that because RCW 19.86.170 eliminated immunity from CPA claims for CTCs, Integra cannot assert that the WUTC has exclusive jurisdiction over Integra's actions. Indoor Billboard also argues the trial court had subject matter jurisdiction to decide its claim because the WUTC lacks the authority to adjudicate a CPA claim and the ability to grant the relief afforded under the CPA. ¶ 22 When interpreting a statute, our primary goal is to determine and give effect to the legislature's intent and purpose in creating the statute. Am. Cont'l Ins. Co. v. Steen, 151 Wash.2d 512, 518, 91 P.3d 864 (2004); State v. Jacobs, 154 Wash.2d 596, 600, 115 P.3d 281 (2005). We generally begin our analysis with the text of the statute. Steen, 151 Wash.2d at 518, 91 P.3d 864. If the statute is clear and unambiguous on its face, we determine its meaning only from the language of the statute and do not resort to statutory construction principles. Id. A statute is ambiguous only if it can be reasonably interpreted in more than one way, not merely because other possible interpretations exist. Id. ¶ 23 The WUTC regulates the rates, services, facilities, and practices of . . . telecommunications companies. Former RCW 80.01.040(3) (1985). The WUTC is vested with exclusive jurisdiction to decide complaints concerning the reasonableness of any rate, toll, rental, or charge[] . . . for any service performed by any public service company or charge in excess of the lawful rate in force at the time such charge was made. RCW 80.04.220-.240. Actions or transactions regulated by the WUTC are exempt from CPA claims. RCW 19.86.170. ¶ 24 In 1985, the legislature enacted legislation that specifically exempted actions or transactions of CTCs from the immunity granted under RCW 19.86.170. Laws of 1985, ch. 450, § 8; RCW 80.36.360. [8] This legislation results in CTCs being subject to CPA claims. Id. ¶ 25 The superior court has jurisdiction over CPA claims under former RCW 19.86.090 (1987), which provides, in pertinent part: Any person who is injured in his or her business or property by a violation of RCW 19.86.020 [unfair competition, practices] may bring a civil action in the superior court to enjoin further violations, to recover the actual damages sustained by him or her, or both, together with the costs of the suit, including a reasonable attorney's fee, and the court may in its discretion, increase the award of damages to an amount not to exceed three times the actual damages sustained. ¶ 26 Integra acknowledges it is a CTC under RCW 80.36.310-.330. As a CTC, it is exempt from the immunity granted to regulated telecommunications companies under RCW 19.86.170. Nevertheless, it argues that Indoor Billboard's claim is subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the WUTC because the claim was for reimbursement of unreasonable rates and charges rather than damages under the CPA. Integra relies on D.J. Hopkins, Inc. v. GTE Northwest, Inc., 89 Wash.App. 1, 947 P.2d 1220 (1997) for this proposition, but its reliance on Hopkins is misplaced for two reasons. ¶ 27 First, Hopkins involved a claim against a regulated noncompetitive telecommunications company, which was immune from CPA claims. Id. at 3, 947 P.2d 1220. Because Integra is a CTC, it cannot claim the immunity granted to regulated noncompetitive telecommunications companies under RCW 19.86.170. ¶ 28 Second, Hopkins alleged that GTE was engaged in deceptive billing practices when it continued to bill Hopkins for the lease of a desk telephone for nine years after Hopkins chose to use its own telephone rather than one leased from GTE. 89 Wash.App. at 3, 947 P.2d 1220. The court concluded that Hopkins' claim was not properly brought under the CPA because it was for services not received rather than deceptive billing practices. Id. at 6, 947 P.2d 1220. Indoor Billboard, in contrast, clearly alleged a valid claim under chapter 19.86 RCW that Integra engaged in the unfair and deceptive act or practice of charging and collecting a surcharge unfairly or deceptively described as a PICC. ¶ 29 We conclude that because Integra is a CTC, and cannot claim immunity from CPA claims under RCW 19.86.170, and Indoor Billboard clearly alleged a valid claim under chapter 19.86 RCW, the trial court had subject matter jurisdiction to decide Indoor Billboard's claim.