Opinion ID: 725033
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The NIS and JAG Investigations

Text: 17 Does The FTCA's Discretionary Function Exception Strip The 18 District Court of Subject Matter Jurisdiction Over 19 The Sabows' Negligent Infliction Claim? Statutory Framework and Legal Standards 20 The FTCA is a waiver of sovereign immunity, limited in part by the discretionary function exception. The discretionary function exception covers any FTCA claims based upon the exercise or performance or failure to exercise or perform a discretionary function or duty on the part of a federal agency or an employee of the Government, whether or not the discretion involved be abused. 28 U.S.C. § 2680(a). Where the discretionary function exception to the FTCA applies, no federal subject matter jurisdiction exists. In re Glacier Bay, 71 F.3d 1447, 1450 (9th Cir.1995). While plaintiff bears the initial burden of proving subject matter jurisdiction under the FTCA, ... the United States bears the ultimate burden of proving the applicability of the discretionary function exception.... Prescott v. United States, 973 F.2d 696, 702 (9th Cir.1992). 21 We use a two-step analysis to determine whether challenged conduct falls under the discretionary function exception. First, we ask whether the challenged actions involve an element of judgment or choice. United States v. Gaubert, 499 U.S. 315, 322, 111 S.Ct. 1267, 1273, 113 L.Ed.2d 335 (1991) (quotation omitted). This discretionary act requirement is not satisfied if a federal statute, regulation, or policy specifically prescribes a course of action for an employee to follow. In this event, the employee has no rightful option but to adhere to the directive. Berkovitz v. United States, 486 U.S. 531, 536, 108 S.Ct. 1954, 1958-59, 100 L.Ed.2d 531 (1988). If the challenged actions involve an element of choice or judgment, we then must determine whether that judgment is of the kind that the discretionary function exception was designed to shield. Gaubert, 499 U.S. at 322-23, 111 S.Ct. at 1273-74. More specifically, if the judgment involves considerations of social, economic, or political policy, the exception applies. In re Glacier Bay, 71 F.3d at 1450. Both the discretionary act prong and the policy judgment prong of the discretionary function exception must be satisfied before the exception will apply.