arbitrary and capricious standard (Montana) · Go Syfert
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arbitrary and capricious standard in Montana

11 Montana opinions name it 1 courts 1989–2025 4 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by Montana courts in a sentence that names this issue. Sides come from how each citing opinion treated the case (Syfertize flag on that citation), so a case can appear on both: that is where the law is contested. A red or yellow chip is the case's own overall treatment.

Followed or applied (3)

CaseFollowedCited
North Fork Preservation Ass'n v. Department of State Landsgreen
mont · 1989 · cited in 4 Montana opinions naming this issue, 2000–2022
2 sentences

2012In reviewing an agency decision under the arbitrary and capricious standard, we consider whether the decision was “based on a consideration of the relevant factors and whether there has been a clear error of judgment.” N. Fork Preservation Ass’n v. Dep’t of State Lands, 238 Mont. 451, 465 , 778 P.2d 862, 871 (1989) (citing Marsh v. Oregon Natural Resources Council, 490 U.S. 360, 378 , 109 S. Ct. 1851, 1861 (1989)).

2012In reviewing an agency decision under the arbitrary and capricious standard, we consider whether the decision was “based on a consideration of the relevant factors and whether there has been a clear error of judgment.” N. Fork Preservation Ass’n v. Dep’t of State Lands, 238 Mont. 451, 465 , 778 P.2d 862, 871 (1989) (citing Marsh v. Oregon Natural Resources Council, 490 U.S. 360, 378 , 109 S. Ct. 1851, 1861 (1989)).

34
Marsh v. Oregon Natural Resources Councilgreen
scotus · 1989 · cited in 1 Montana opinions naming this issue, 2012–2012
2 sentences

2012In reviewing an agency decision under the arbitrary and capricious standard, we consider whether the decision was “based on a consideration of the relevant factors and whether there has been a clear error of judgment.” N. Fork Preservation Ass’n v. Dep’t of State Lands, 238 Mont. 451, 465 , 778 P.2d 862, 871 (1989) (citing Marsh v. Oregon Natural Resources Council, 490 U.S. 360, 378 , 109 S. Ct. 1851, 1861 (1989)).

2012In reviewing an agency decision under the arbitrary and capricious standard, we consider whether the decision was “based on a consideration of the relevant factors and whether there has been a clear error of judgment.” N. Fork Preservation Ass’n v. Dep’t of State Lands, 238 Mont. 451, 465 , 778 P.2d 862, 871 (1989) (citing Marsh v. Oregon Natural Resources Council, 490 U.S. 360, 378 , 109 S. Ct. 1851, 1861 (1989)).

11
Gte South, Incorporated v. Theodore V. Morrison, Jr.green
ca4 · 1999 · cited in 1 Montana opinions naming this issue, 2003–2003
1 sentence

2003Co. v. Apple, 309 F.3d 713 (10th Cir.2002) (collecting cases using the arbitrary-and-capricious standard); GTE South, Inc. v. Morrison, 199 F.3d 733, 745 (4th Cir.1999) (employing "substantial evidence” review). .

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

CaseNegativeCited
No negative-treatment citations attached to this issue in Montana. Read the followed side critically anyway.

Also cited on this issue (9)

CaseCitedYears
Kiely Construction, L.L.C. v. City of Red Lodge Ex Rel. Red Lodge City Council green
mont · 2002
2 sentences

2025LLC v. City of Red Lodge, 2002 MT 241, ¶ 69 , 312 Mont. 52 , 57 P.3d 836 ). “[A] local governing body’s decision is arbitrary and capricious 5 if it appears, based on the existing record, to be random, unreasonable, or seemingly unmotivated.” CANSC, ¶ 28 (citation omitted).

2025LLC v. City of Red Lodge, 2002 MT 241, ¶ 69 , 312 Mont. 52 , 57 P.3d 836 ). “[A] local governing body’s decision is arbitrary and capricious 5 if it appears, based on the existing record, to be random, unreasonable, or seemingly unmotivated.” CANSC, ¶ 28 (citation omitted).

22021–2025
Montana Wildlife Federation v. Montana Board of Oil & Gas Conservation green
mont · 2012
2 sentences

2022Bd. of Oil & Gas Cons., 2012 MT 128, ¶ 25 , 365 Mont. 232 , 280 P.3d 877 (“A review under the arbitrary and capricious standard ‘does not permit a reversal merely because the record contains inconsistent evidence or evidence which might support a different result.

2022Bd. of Oil & Gas Cons., 2012 MT 128, ¶ 25 , 365 Mont. 232 , 280 P.3d 877 (“A review under the arbitrary and capricious standard ‘does not permit a reversal merely because the record contains inconsistent evidence or evidence which might support a different result.

22021–2022
Hobble Diamond Ranch, LLC v. State Ex Rel. Montana Department of Transportation neutral
mont · 2012
2 sentences

2014It notes that the cases cited by the Board and the District Court for this standard of review, specifically Hobble Diamond Ranch LLC v. State, 2012 MT 10 , 363 Mont. 310 , 268 P.3d 31 , and Johansen v. St.

2014It notes that the cases cited by the Board and the District Court for this standard of review, specifically Hobble Diamond Ranch LLC v. State, 2012 MT 10 , 363 Mont. 310 , 268 P.3d 31 , and Johansen v. St.

22012–2014
Pennaco Energy, Inc. v. Montana Board of Environmental Review green
mont · 2008
2 sentences

2014Rev., 2008 MT 425, ¶¶ 12-15 , 347 Mont. 415 , 199 P.3d 191 . ¶34 There is no authority to support Core-Mark’s argument that an administrative agency’s discretionary authority with regard to making, amending, or repealing rules is cabined when it chooses to utilize formal procedures to compile evidence and propose a decision, thereby rendering the arbitrary and capricious standard inapplicable.

2014Rev., 2008 MT 425, ¶¶ 12-15 , 347 Mont. 415 , 199 P.3d 191 . ¶34 There is no authority to support Core-Mark’s argument that an administrative agency’s discretionary authority with regard to making, amending, or repealing rules is cabined when it chooses to utilize formal procedures to compile evidence and propose a decision, thereby rendering the arbitrary and capricious standard inapplicable.

12014–2014
Friends of the Wild Swan v. Department of Natural Resources & Conservation green
mont · 2000
2 sentences

2012Although our review of agency decisions is narrow, we will not automatically defer to the agency ‘ “without carefully reviewing the record and satisfying [ourselves] that the agency has made a reasoned decision ....’” Friends of the Wild Swan v. Department of Natural Res. & Conservation, 2000 MT 209, ¶ 28 , 301 Mont. 1 , 6 P.3d 972 (quoting Marsh, 490 U.S. at 378 , 109 S. Ct. at 1861 ).

2012Although our review of agency decisions is narrow, we will not automatically defer to the agency ‘ “without carefully reviewing the record and satisfying [ourselves] that the agency has made a reasoned decision ....’” Friends of the Wild Swan v. Department of Natural Res. & Conservation, 2000 MT 209, ¶ 28 , 301 Mont. 1 , 6 P.3d 972 (quoting Marsh, 490 U.S. at 378 , 109 S. Ct. at 1861 ).

12012–2012
Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. v. Apple green
ca10 · 2002
1 sentence

2003Co. v. Apple, 309 F.3d 713 (10th Cir.2002) (collecting cases using the arbitrary-and-capricious standard); GTE South, Inc. v. Morrison, 199 F.3d 733, 745 (4th Cir.1999) (employing "substantial evidence” review). .

12003–2003
Bellsouth Telecom. v. McImetro Access Trans. green
gand · 2000
1 sentence

2003BellSouth Telecomms., Inc. v. MCI Metro Access Transmission Servs., Inc., 97 F.Supp.2d 1363, 1376 n. 10 (N.D.Ga.2000). .

12003–2003
United States v. Carlo Bianchi & Co. green
scotus · 1963
2 sentences

2003After incorrectly asserting jurisdiction, I can hardly fault the district court for pulling the arbitrary-and-capricious standard out of thin air, giving only a "Cf.” citation to a Supreme Court case, United States v. Carlo Bianchi & Co., 373 U.S. 709 , 83 S.Ct. 1409 , 10 L.Ed.2d 652 (1963), that was about federal administrative law.

2003After incorrectly asserting jurisdiction, I can hardly fault the district court for pulling the arbitrary-and-capricious standard out of thin air, giving only a "Cf.” citation to a Supreme Court case, United States v. Carlo Bianchi & Co., 373 U.S. 709 , 83 S.Ct. 1409 , 10 L.Ed.2d 652 (1963), that was about federal administrative law.

12003–2003
Langen v. Badlands Cooperative State Grazing Dist. green
mont · 1951
2 sentences

1989Our decision in Langen v. Badlands Cooperative State Grazing District (1951), 125 Mont. 302, 308 , 234 P.2d 467, 470 , which is cited by Cenex, is relevant to both points: “The review by the district court is only for the purpose of determining the legal rights of the parties involved.

1989Our decision in Langen v. Badlands Cooperative State Grazing District (1951), 125 Mont. 302, 308 , 234 P.2d 467, 470 , which is cited by Cenex, is relevant to both points: “The review by the district court is only for the purpose of determining the legal rights of the parties involved.

11989–1989

Statutes the citing opinions construe

MT § Mont. Code Ann. § 2-4-102 (4) MT § Mont. Code Ann. § 2-4-704 (4) MT § Mont. Code Ann. § 75-1-201 (3)

Counted by distinct opinions that both name this issue and are annotated to the section; sections every opinion cites regardless of issue are not filtered here, so read the counts against the total above.

Where else courts name it

NY 154 (1973–2026) WA 95 (1976–2026) WY 90 (1989–2024) LA 51 (1987–2026) MS 35 (1991–2024) TX 35 (1990–2025) NJ 35 (1992–2026) CA 34 (1977–2026) AL 25 (2000–2026) MD 25 (1980–2024) MA 19 (1977–2023) IN 18 (1987–2019) KS 17 (1984–2020) RI 17 (2002–2019) IL 16 (1978–2020) WV 14 (1995–2025) MN 13 (1986–2019) MT 11 (1989–2025) WI 10 (1977–2015) MI 9 (1984–2026) AK 8 (1990–1997) UT 8 (1983–2024) HI 8 (2014–2021) TN 7 (2002–2022) NC 6 (1989–2004) NV 6 (2017–2020) NM 6 (1992–2025) FL 5 (1981–2010) CO 4 (1994–1996) DE 3 (1995–2021) VA 3 (1982–2001) PA 3 (1999–2026) OK 3 (2003–2018) AR 2 (1993–2025) OR 2 (2023–2023) OH 2 (1989–1999) VT 2 (2019–2021) SC 2 (1996–2021) ME 2 (1989–2005) ND 2 (2018–2018) KY 2 (1987–1992)

Opinions by the citing court's state. A doctrine retained in one state and abandoned in another shows up here as a year span that stalls.

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