Court Opinion

ID: 9732780
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 16:34:56.280732+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:26:33.554182
License: Public Domain

WOLLMAN, Justice
(dissenting).
I would hold that the findings of fact and conclusions of law entered by the commissioner, when read in the light of the commissioner’s memorandum of decision and his order affirming the findings of fact and conclusions of law, wherein he found claimant’s objections to the findings of fact and conclusions of law to be without merit, substantially comply with the requirements of SDCL 1-26-25 inasmuch as they state the ultimate facts in issue. Cf. Edge v. City of Pierre, 59 S.D. 193, 239 N.W. 191.
Although it may be conceded that respondent’s attorney could very well have included more of the material set forth in the commissioner’s memorandum of decision in the findings of fact and conclusions of law, it would be an idle act to remand this case for the entry of additional findings and conclusions. I think that the parties are bound by the record that they made at the first hearing, and I would not open the case for the presentation of additional evidence.
Implicit in my stand for affirmance, of course, is my conclusion that the evidence in the record, whether measured by the “palpably erroneous” rule, or by the substantial evidence standard of SDCL 1-26-36(5), is adequate to support the commissioner’s determination.
I do agree generally with the admonition set forth in the majority opinion that all agencies should comply with the requirements of SDCL 1-26-25.