Legal Document

479 U.S. 1 107 S.Ct. 334 93 L.Ed.2d 183 Carrie ROSE etc.v.ARKANSAS STATE POLICE. No. 85-1388. Nov. 3, 1986. Page 2 PER CURIAM. In December 1982, Arkansas State Trooper William Rose was killed in the line of duty. His widow, petitioner this action, received a $50,000 benefit from Federal Government pursuant to Public Safety Officers' Death Benefits Act, Stat. 1219, 42 U.S.C. § 3796 et seq. The Act provides for payment survivors state law enforcement officer who dies as result job-related injuries. federal statute also that "[t]he payable under subchapter shall be addition any other may due source," with two exceptions not relevant here. 3796(e). Petitioner applied death benefits Workers' Compensation Act. See Ark.Stat.Ann. 12-3601 (1979). Respondent Employee Claims Division Insurance Department acknowledged claim compensable, but insisted on reducing amount owed by she had support its position, respondent relied provides: 3 "In event public employee is entitled receive workers' compensation . injury, disability or death, and such injuries, disabilities, gives rise an entitlement Congress providing safety officers fun[d] credit against liability extent [federal] received. ." 12-3605(G) (Supp.1985). 4 filed complaint Commission, claiming her should offset payment. An Administrative Law Judge ordered compensate full, noting plainly states money intended supplement all benefits. ALJ ruled direct conflict Supremacy Clause United States Constitution,* provision must give way. full Commission reversed allowed offset, finding no inconsistency between laws. 5 Court Appeals affirmed Commission's decision. 16 Ark.App. 96, 697 S.W.2d 927 (1985). court first cited Richardson v. Belcher, 404 78, 92 254, 30 231 (1971), proposition there nothing inherently unconstitutional about offsetting then concluded case proper, because does show congressional intent intrude States' right set Therefore, said court, "[w]e fail see supremacy clause argument." Ark.App., at 99, S.W.2d, 928. Supreme denied petitioner's request review. 6 There can dispute invalidates laws interfere Congress. Hayfield Northern R. Co. Chicago & North Western Transportation Co., 467 622, 627, n. 4, 104 2610, 2614, 81 527 (1984) (citing Gibbons Ogden, 22 (9 Wheat.) 1, 211, L.Ed. 23 (1824)). case, clear language statutes. unambiguously "shall source." 3796(e) (emphasis added). supplemental survivors, assist subsidizing their programs. statute, however, passed three years after enacted, award reduced authorizes precise conduct sought prohibit consequently repugnant Clause. 7 nevertheless failed perceive tension statutes, concluding did alter traditional level This reasoning misses point. require particular citizens; it simply prohibits otherwise would provide account reading consistent legislative history, shows concerned inadequacy paid police some States. H.R.Rep. 94-1032, p. (1976); 122 Cong.Rec. 12005 (1976) (remarks Rep. Biaggi). "gratuity," "over above benefits." S.Rep. 96-142, 58 (1979) ("gratuity"), U.S.Code Cong. Admin.News 1979, pp. 2471, 2529; 12002 Eilberg). 8 court's reliance supra, misplaced. upheld allowing reduction awards compensation. id., U.S., 78-79, S.Ct., 256-257, 1. Belcher present issue. 9 Because payment, (Supp.1985) invalid. We therefore grant petition certiorari, reverse decision Appeals, remand further proceedings inconsistent opinion. 10 It so ordered. 11 Justice MARSHALL dissents summary disposition, which has been without affording parties prior notice opportunity file briefs merits. See, e.g., Acosta Louisiana Dept. Health Human Resources, 478 251, 106 2876, 192 (1986) (MARSHALL, J., dissenting). * "This Constitution, Laws made Pursuance thereof supreme Land; Judges every bound thereby; Thing Constitution Contrary notwithstanding." Const., Art. VI, cl. 2.

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