Court Opinion

ID: 7821869
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-09-07 17:57:21.456186+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:30:45.476360
License: Public Domain

Peter B. Heister, Special Justice, dissenting. I am mindful of the policy which requires judicial review to be based upon a record created by the administrative agency; however, that policy does not address the issue presented here. In this case the Highway Commission has adopted the position that as there was no hearing there is no reviewable record. There is no doubt that Appellee was entitled to a hearing pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act. Arkansas State Highway Commission v. Wood, 264 Ark. 425, 572 S.W. 2d 583 (1978). The Commission had provided notice of an “administrative hearing.” Similarly, it announced its findings based in part on that “hearing.” Appellee was entitled to expect that the proceeding it participated in was in fact a hearing and further, that Appellant would provide the record as required. There is no requirement that such a hearing be transcribed. The only requirement is that a record capable of review be maintained and provided. I see no means by which the Appellee could have foreseen that the Commission would not provide the record as required. The record was not prepared by the trial court. The record was prepared by Appellee and brought to the trial court for review. It was detailed and uncontroverted as to its completeness and accuracy. There is no contention that additional information is available. The trial court had before it the facts on which the Commission relied in denying the applications. The trial court found the record adequate for review. This Court is holding in essence that the record is inadequate for purpose of review. I agree with the trial court. The record appears to contain the facts relied upon by the Commission including the photographs of the areas in question and the expert opinions. I agree further that these facts are an inadequate basis for the Commission’s action. For these reasons I would affirm.