Opinion ID: 2618281
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: records destroyed in the fire of 1894

Text: PCTC's final proposition concerns the records destroyed in the 1894 fire. The court determined these records were not significant enough to require proceedings to have them refiled and added to AOI's abstract plant. We need not address the merits of this determination because we find the decision of the State Auditor and Inspector concerning these records to be premature. At the time of this action, AOI had not applied for a certificate of authority to engage in abstracting. The Auditor's determination that such certificate will not be granted prior to AOI's application on the grounds that records prior to 1894 were destroyed in a fire was outside the scope of the proceeding and the Auditor's authority. As long as AOI complies with the law, they are entitled to continue compiling an abstract plant pursuant to a permit which has not expired or been revoked. When such compilation is completed, they may apply for a certificate of authority. See 74 O.S.Supp. 1984, §§ 227.17, 227. 18, and 227.21. The State Auditor and Inspector is required by statute to issue the certificate of authority to any applicant who has complied with the provisions of the Oklahoma Abstractors Law. 74 O.S.Supp. 1984, § 227.18(A). However, 74 O.S.Supp. 1984, § 227.21 states that a permit holder shall comply with the Oklahoma Abstractors Law to obtain a certificate of authority after compilation of the abstract plant. The Auditor declined to revoke AOI's permit to develop an abstract plant, yet held that any subsequent application would be denied. This ruling is premature. Denial of AOI's application of renewal must await the actual application for renewal. Thus, we affirm the district court's finding of error in the Auditor's order in regards to the pre-1894 records. Although we do not at this time determine whether the missing records are grounds for refusing issuance of a certificate of authority, we hold that they are not grounds to refuse renewal of a permit to compile an abstract plant until AOI applies for such renewal. The Auditor's order was affected by error of law and clearly erroneous in view of the reliable, material, probative and substantial competent evidence, 75 O.S. 1981, § 322(1)(d) and (e).