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Administrative Law - Spring 2010

Dr. Nancy Lind

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Introduction to Administrative Law

This a general review to set the stage. We will study these topics in more

detail throughout the course.

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Learning Objectives

This is an overview of administrative law to orient you to topics we will cover in the course

Administrative law is complete legal system, with its own system of legislation, enforcement, and adjudication

The administrative law system resembles foreign civil law systems

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What is Administrative Law?

Administrative law governs the organization and functioning of government agencies, and how their actions are reviewed by the courts. Federal administrative law governs agencies

such as HHS and the IRS. Each state has its own version of

administrative law governing its own state agencies.

Everything government does, is done through administrative law

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Federalism and the History of Administrative Law

The colonial governments regulated many aspects of day to day life, including trade

While the federal government did not do much regulation until the 20th century, the states broadly regulated business and private life

There was no period of regulatory laissez faire.

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Public Health as the First Administrative Law

The colonial governments provided public health services that were taken over by the states after independence.

Public health service hospitals and quarantine stations were established by the first US Congress.

City and state Boards of Health are among the first government agencies.

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Modern Practice: The Administrative Procedure Act (APA)

The set of laws in each state and the federal government that specifies how the agencies in that jurisdiction carry out basic functions such as rule making, adjudications, and how citizens can petition the agencies. Federal APA was passed in 1946 The APA only applies if the legislature has not made

special rules for a given agency. http://biotech.law.lsu.edu/Courses/study_aids/adlaw/inde

x.htm

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Non-Agencies and Administrative Law

The President is not an agency. The military is a quasi-agency

An agency for many organizational and procurement purposes

Not an agency for military actions DOJ, police departments, and courts

Agencies for basic governance Not agencies for their substantive criminal law

work.

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Organization and Control of Administrative Agencies

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What are the Roles of Agencies?

Agencies carry out government policy Federal Agencies

HHS Department of Defense

State Agencies Health Department Department of Revenue

Local Agencies City Health Department Parish Hospital District

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Separation of Powers

The Constitutions of the federal and state government establish the structure of government.

The US and State Governments are divided Into three branches: Legislative Branch Executive Branch Judicial Branch

While state governments all follow the three branch model, their organizations differ significantly.

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Agencies are Established by the Legislatures

The agency enabling statute establishes the agency's: Powers and Duties Organization Funding Standards for Judicial Review of the Agency's

Actions Some state agencies are established by the state

constitution or later constitutional amendments.

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Delegation of Power to the Agency

General Grant of Power Broad powers with little specific direction. Broad powers allow flexibility

Specific Grants of Power The legislature can give the agency very specific direction

powers and duties. This limits flexibility but assures that the legislative policy is

followed. Contingent Grants of Power

The legislature can give the agency powers that are triggered by specific events.

Some emergency powers are triggered by a disaster declaration.

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Executive Control

Federal Agencies All enforcement agencies are in the Executive branch. Congress can control agencies that only do studies

and investigations, such as the Congressional Budget Office.

States have several elected executives that control agencies, not a single head like the president. The governor controls most agencies. The attorney general controls the legal office. Other state offices, like state auditor, also have elected

heads.

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Federal Independent Agencies

Independent agencies are run by boards or commissions. Members have fixed terms and can only be removed

for bad conduct. Terms are staggered

Independent agencies are part of the executive branch in that they are eventually responsible to the president. Remember - only the executive can do enforcement

Federal Appointed by the President Securities and Exchange Commission is an example

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State Independent Agencies

Not subject to the same restrictions as federal independent agencies Whatever is allowed by the state constitution Can be appointed by the governor or other elected

officials Can be statewide or local

Examples Boards of Health are appointed to hire and supervise

the health director to reduce political pressure on the agency.

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Governmental Corporations

The government can form corporations to carry out certain functions. Amtrak is a federal example

Not subject to most adlaw constraints Still subject to constitutional limits such as due

process for employees.

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Privatization of Governmental Functions

How to reduce the size of government? Hire private contractors to do the work

Benefits Takes the employees off budget Can be more efficient in the short term

Downside No direct control No constitutional protections Loss of institutional expertise

Blackwater anyone?

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Agencies are the Vehicle for Carrying out Public Policy

Enforcement policy When does a business get a second chance

and when do they get closed? When do you use quarantine and isolation?

Fiscal policy Which diseases do you investigate when you

have limited staff? What programs are cut when the budget is cut?

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Changing Agency Policy

Executive branch control Replace the agency director Use Executive Orders to direct agency policy

Legislature Change the enabling law Increase or eliminate the funding for agency functions

Citizens Petition the agency to change and participate in pubic hearings Lobby the executive and legislature Elect different politicians in the executive and legislature

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Federal, State, and Local Relations

Federal control of state and local government Congress can preempt state laws to assure uniform

policy. Congress can make state funding contingent on

adopting certain policies. States have different models of local control

The legislature determines the allocation of powers. Some state health departments control the local

departments. Some local departments are independent.

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Carrying Out Agency Policy

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Administrative Rules

The Legislature can delegate the power to make rules to the agency Some agencies do not have rulemaking authority Rules cannot exceed the authority in the agency's

enabling legislation or the Constitution Properly promulgated rules have the same effect as

statutes Must give the public notice of proposed rules Must allow and consider public comment

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Why Make Rules?

National standards can be adopted through agency rules, harmonizing practice across jurisdictions National building codes CDC guidelines on food sanitation Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on

Immunization Practices Rules give the public and regulated parties guidance Rules limit the issues that can be reviewed by the courts

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Public Participation in Rulemaking

Proposed rules must be published for public comment. The agency must take written comments. Some states require public hearings if

requested by enough people. Federal agencies sometimes use public

hearings on important policy issues. The agency must review and consider the

comments.

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When Agencies Make Decisions - Adjudications

How is an adjudication different from a rule? Rules apply to everyone in the affected class. Adjudications decide questions in individual

cases and only bind those parties. Parties to an adjudication are entitled to be heard.

Adjudications may include oral hearings. Some adjudications are done on written

documents only.

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Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)

A fact-finder in the administrative law system. ALJs usually act as inquisitorial judges and try to

assure that the case is fairly presented and decided.

ALJ's do not make final decisions but make recommended rulings to the agency There is a fight over this in LA

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How are ALJs Different from Judges?

What does the judge know? Administrative law judges (ALJs) may use their

own knowledge of the subject. Judges can be disqualified if they know about

the subject. Conflict of Interests

ALJs often know the parties and may have worked on the case.

Judges in courts cannot know the case or the parties.

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The Adversary (Court) System

Judges act as referees and decide whether the lawyers are proceeding by the rules of procedure and evidence.

If the attorney makes a mistake, such as neglecting important issues, the judge does not intervene.

While Louisiana has a civil law tradition, it uses common law adversarial courts.

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The Inquisitorial (Agency) System

The role of the judge is to make sure that the case is presented properly and that the result is just.

The judge may ask questions and review the evidence and can help an attorney to protect the client. Inquisitorial courts are used in many civil law

countries. Agency adjudications look like the civil law

systems in Europe

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How are Adjudications different from Judicial Opinions?

ALJs are primarily fact finders. ALJs often follow Attorney General Opinions. Judge decide legal questions on their own. ALJ decisions are recommendations to the

agency and may be changed by the agency. An adjudication is not binding in other cases. Court decisions can be binding on lower courts.

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Agency Enforcement Tools

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Permits and Licenses

You have to show you have met the standards set by law or regulation before you get the license or permit. Standards must be clear.

Conditioned on accepting enforcement standards Must treat all applicants equally. You agree to be bound by the administrative rules. You must allow inspections during business hours. Licenses and permits can be revoked without a court

order

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Inspections are Adjudications

The inspector determines the facts through the inspection.

The defendant may present its case explaining the problem during the inspection.

The inspector must provide a written record. Local government often allows appeals to the city

council. The courts will defer to the inspector's findings if

the case is appealed to the courts.

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Administrative Searches

License and permit holders may be inspected without a warrant.

Other inspections may require an administrative warrant. Requirements for an administrative warrant.

Unlike criminal warrants, administrative warrants do not require probable cause.

They require a list of the addresses to be searched and the reasons for the search.

Administrative searches cannot be used when a criminal warrant is necessary.

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Administrative Orders

The first step in enforcement is to issue an order explaining the violation and how to correct it Most persons comply with the order If the person does not comply, the order proves that the person

was on notice of the problem In some cases there may also be a fine for not complying with

the order If the target of the order does not comply, then the department must

seek a judicial order to force compliance Most agencies cannot make arrests or use force Violating a court order allows the courts to use their powers,

which include fines and imprisonment for contempt

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Court Orders

Injunctions Orders to prevent an actions, such as operating a restaurant Temporary injunctions can be issued in emergencies when

there is not enough time for notice and a full hearing Permanent injunctions require notice to the affected party and

an opportunity for that party to be hear in court Personal restriction orders

These order individuals to refrain from dangerous behavior These can require treatment, such as participating in directly

observed TB treatment They can limit activities, such as preventing a typhoid carrier

from working in food service

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The Advisory and Consultative Role

There are some agencies that do not have enforcement powers They do research and education They shape policy by funding other agencies or private projects

The CDC is a non-enforcement agency The CDC's primary role is providing guidance to state and local

health departments Most guidance is voluntary, but can be tied to the receipt of

grant funds State and local health departments

Departments with enforcement powers also have an important research and educational role

This includes epidemiology, health education, and technical assistance to businesses such as restaurants

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Acting in an Emergency

State and local health departments historically had broad emergency powers. The courts recognize that public health powers must be

construed broadly in an emergency Unless limited by the legislature, they may act without special

laws. Limits on Emergency Actions

Knowing what to do is more important than the law. Emergency actions must be grounded in good public health

practice. Large scale restrictions, such as evacuations or quarantine,

depend on public cooperation.

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Judicial Review

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Standards for Judicial Review of Agency Activities

Does the activity violate the US constitution or treaties?

Does a state agency activity violate the state constitution?

Is the agency activity allowed by the agency's enabling act?

Is the activity prohibited by other laws? Is the agency following its own rules?

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What if the Law is not Clear?

Traditional public health laws give the agency broad powers without detailed statutory guidance

Courts use a standard from an environmental law case, Chevron v. NRDC, to decide if the agency action is legal The first step is to determine if the law clearly

prohibits the agency action If the law would allow the action, then the second step

is to decide if the agency action is reasonable in light of the objectives of the law

If the action is reasonable under the statute, then it is allowed

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Courts Defer to Agency Policy Decisions

"It is not the function of a court to determine whether the public policy that finds expression in legislation of this order is well or ill conceived. The judicial function is exhausted with the discovery that the relation between means and end is not wholly vain and fanciful, an illusory pretense. Within the field where men of reason may reasonably differ, the legislature must have its way." (Williams v. Mayor of Baltimore, 289 U.S. 36, 42 (1933)

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Why Do the Courts Defer to the Agency?

Efficiency Legislatures do not have the expertise to draft detailed

directions for the health department Broad authority lets the agency use its own expertise

Flexibility Speed

Health departments must deal with new conditions and emergencies that were not anticipated by the legislature

If the courts required specific laws for all actions, it would take months to years to get laws passed for new problems

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Can the Court Change the Agency Decision?

If the court finds the agency action is illegal, it can prevent the agency from acting.

A federal court cannot change an agency ruling, only block it and send it back to the agency for reconsideration.

Some state courts can change the agency ruling and substitute their new ruling.

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The Legislature Sets the Standard for Judicial Review of Facts

De Novo Review The court ignores the agency decision

Review on the Record The court uses the record of the agency proceeding but makes

an independent review Deference to the Agency

This is the usual standard for review The court upholds the agency decision unless it is arbitrary and

capricious No Review

In some cases, such as the smallpox compensation fund, the legislature does not allow judicial review of the agency decision

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Exhaustion of Remedies

Many agencies provide an internal appeals or review process for agency decisions The courts require that persons who want to

challenge agency actions in court first go through all the agency appeals

The court does not require exhaustion of the agency process if the agency is acting illegally

If the litigant goes directly to court and the court decides the action was legal, it will be too late to finish the agency process

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Public Access to Agency Information

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Freedom of Information Acts

Provide public access to information held by agencies

Have exceptions to protect trade secrets and information that will affect agency function or public safety

Modified by state and federal privacy laws to protect personal information

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Open Meetings Laws

Provide for public attendance at agency governing body meetings.

Require public notice of meetings Allow for closed meetings on personnel

matters and other topics such as bids that require secrecy