Opinion ID: 1844678
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Appeal Board's Remand Order.

Text: The claimants contend the appeal board erred in its initial remand of the claims for additional evidence on the stoppage of work issue. Without the additional evidence adduced on remand, claimants assert the record fails to show that a stoppage of work occurred. This contention relies upon the parties' stipulation and Iowa Code section 17A.10(2), which provides that [t]he parties to a contested case proceeding may, by written stipulation representing an informed mutual consent, waive any provision of this chapter relating to such proceedings. In addition, claimants cite statutory authority relating to informal settlement and disposition of controversies. See Iowa Code §§ 17A.10(1), 17A.12(5) (1981). Clearly these latter authorities have little bearing on claimant's argument concerning the remand order, however, as neither an informal settlement nor an informal disposition was being attempted by the parties. Moreover, we do not agree with the claimants' apparent belief that the statutory right which enables parties in contested cases to waive certain proceedings may be used to limit the statutory authority given the appeal board. On the appeal from the hearing officer, the board possessed all the power that inhered in the body making the initial determination. See Iowa Code § 17A.15(3) (1981). The person making the initial determination is under a statutory duty to take the initiative to ascertain relevant information concerning the claim. Iowa Code § 96.6(2) (1981). In addition, the appeal board, in order to comply with its statutory duty to hear and decide contested cases under chapter[] ... 96 ..., Iowa Code § 10A.601(1) (1981), is given the authority to on its own motion... direct the taking of additional evidence.... Iowa Code § 10A.601(4) (1981). We do not think that this authority, vested in the appeal board, is a provision which may be waived by the parties. See Mary R. v. B & R Corp., 149 Cal.App. 3d 308, 317, 196 Cal.Rptr. 871, 876 (1983) (stipulation which, in effect, prohibits agency from performing its statutory obligations and functions will not be enforced). The appeal board operated within its authority in remanding for additional evidence.