Opinion ID: 2595307
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Is Idaho State University Entitled to an Award of Attorney Fees on Appeal?

Text: The University seeks an award of attorney fees under Idaho Code §§ 12-117(1) and 12-121. Section 12-117(1) provides: Unless otherwise provided by statute, in any administrative or civil judicial proceeding involving as adverse parties a state agency, a city, a county or other taxing district and a person, the court shall award the prevailing party reasonable attorney's fees, witness fees and reasonable expenses, if the court finds that the party against whom the judgment is rendered acted without a reasonable basis in fact or law. A state agency means each state board, commission, department or officer authorized by law to make rules or to determine contested cases. IDAHO CODE § 12-117(4)(b) (Supp.2002) & § 67-5201(2) (2001). Because the University is not a state agency as defined by the applicable statutes, it cannot be awarded attorney fees under Idaho Code § 12-117. The University likewise cannot recover attorney fees under Idaho Code § 12-121, which provides: In any civil action, the judge may award reasonable attorney's fees to the prevailing party or parties, provided that this section shall not alter, repeal or amend any statute which otherwise provides for the award of attorney's fees. The term party or parties is defined to include any person, partnership, corporation, association, private organization, the state of Idaho or political subdivision thereof. Because this appeal from the decision of the Personnel Commission is not a civil action, § 12-121 does not apply to this action. Lowery v. Board of County Comm'rs, 117 Idaho 1079, 793 P.2d 1251 (1990).