Opinion ID: 1834797
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: A cause of action is permitted.

Text: Article III, § 27 of the South Dakota Constitution provides that [t]he Legislature shall direct by law in what manner and in what courts suits may be brought against the state. SDCL 46A-9-3 provides in part: A water user district may be organized as provided in this chapter, and may sue and be sued in its corporate name. Although, as argued by B-Y, the sue and be sued clause based on Kringen v. Shea, 333 N.W.2d 445 (S.D.1983), does not create a cause of action in tort, it certainly permits a cause of action in tort if one exists. To read the sue and be sued clause any other way is contrary to the plain meaning and intent of the Legislature by giving effect to only one-half of the clause. Such an interpretation permits a water user district to sue, but prohibits a person wrongfully injured by the water user district from suing. Therefore, even though the sue and be sued clause does not create a cause of action in tort, it permits one. Cf. Federal Land Bank of St. Louis v. Priddy, 295 U.S. 229, 55 S.Ct. 705, 79 L.Ed. 1408 (1935) (Statute providing that federal land banks could sue and be sued as fully as natural persons demonstrates Congressional intent that federal land banks not be immune from suit). In fact, the Legislature has provided a procedure in the statutes in order to bring suit. [2] Not only is notice to be given to the public entity but also to the attorney general. SDCL 3-21-3. [3]