Court Opinion

ID: 9717214
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 07:00:17.014228+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:23:52.037295
License: Public Domain

VANDE WALLE, Justice,
concurring specially.
I agree with the result reached in the majority opinion written for the court by the Chief Justice. I am, however, concerned that the opinion may be construed as requiring that as a matter of law all members of an administrative agency or, for that matter, any court, which uses a hearing officer, referee, or master, read each word of the record and examine each exhibit introduced before arriving at a conclusion as to the disposition of the issues before them. The opinion should not be so construed. I agree with the majority opinion that the Board should review and interpret the evidence. I also agree that in so doing one or more members of the Board may wish to review in detail all of the testimony and the exhibits introduced. Insofar as the record may reflect that the Board-believes it is improper for the Board members to examine the testimony and evidence independent of the report of the hearing officer, I agree with the majority opinion. It certainly is not improper for them to do so. On the other hand, I do not believe it is mandatory that each member of the Board do so before arriving at a determination. What is required is that the Board consider and appraise the evidence. That obligation may be discharged in various ways other than reading a verbatim transcript of the testimony. See 3 Davis, Administrative Law Treatise (2d Ed. 1980).
At the time the Board reviews the evidence I believe it should also consider whether or not there was an undue restriction by the hearing examiner of Hammond’s right to examine and cross-examine witnesses, i.e., whether or not evidence was excluded which would have been significant to the Board’s decision.