reasonable and not arbitrary standard in Alaska

2005"We review an agency's interpretation of its own regulations under the reasonable and not arbitrary standard.... [This] deferential standard of review properly recognizes that the agency is best able to discern its intent in promulgating the regulation at issue." Stosh's I/M v. Fairbanks N. Star Borough, 12 P.3d 1180, 1183 (Alaska 2000) (citations omitted).

2005"We review an agency’s interpretation of its own regulations under the reasonable and not arbitrary standard.... [This] deferential standard of review properly recognizes that the agency is best able to discern its intent in promulgating the regulation at issue.” Stosh's I/M v. Fairbanks N. Star Borough, 12 P.3d 1180, 1183 (Alaska 2000) (citations omitted).

2024STANDARD OF REVIEW “When the superior court acts as an intermediate appellate court, we independently review the merits of the underlying administrative decision” and will “adopt the rule of law that is most persuasive in light of precedent, reason, and policy.”9 No deference is given to the superior court’s decision.10 Depending on the issue being reviewed, we apply one of four standards of review: “(1) the substantial evidence standard applies to questions of fact; (2) the reasonable basis standard applies to questions of law involving agency expertise; (3) the substitution of judgment stand

2024Res., 921 P.2d 1134, 1141 (Alaska 1996). 11 Alyeska Pipeline Serv.

2020Dev., Div. of Ins., 171 P.3d 1110, 1115 (Alaska 2007). 7 Alaskan Crude Corp. v. State, Dep’t of Nat.

2018Res., Div. of Oil & Gas, 261 P.3d 412, 419 (Alaska 2011) (quoting Pasternak v. State, Commercial Fisheries Entry Comm’n, 166 P.3d 904, 907 (Alaska 2007)). 9 Id. (quoting Beal v. McGuire, 216 P.3d 1154, 1162 (Alaska 2009)); Exxon Corp. v. State, 40 P.3d 786, 792 (Alaska 2001) (“Interpretation of a contract is a question of law that is not within the department’s special expertise or skill.”). 10 City of Valdez v. State, 372 P.3d 240, 246 (Alaska 2016) (alterations in original) (quoting Tesoro Alaska Petroleum Co. v. Kenai Pipe Line Co., 746 P.2d 896, 903 (Alaska 1987)). -9- 7283 light of preced

2018STANDARDS OF REVIEW We “independently review the merits of an administrative determination.”7 We have “recognized four principal standards of review for administrative decisions: (1) the substantial evidence standard applies to questions of fact; (2) the reasonable basis standard applies to questions of law involving agency expertise; (3) the substitution of judgment standard applies to questions of law where no expertise is involved; and (4) the reasonable and not arbitrary standard applies to review of administrative regulations.”[8] “Questions of contract interpretation generally raise ques

2018Res., Div. of Oil & Gas, 261 P.3d 412, 419 (Alaska 2011) (quoting Pasternak v. State, Commercial Fisheries Entry Comm’n, 166 P.3d 904, 907 (Alaska 2007)). 9 Id. (quoting Beal v. McGuire, 216 P.3d 1154, 1162 (Alaska 2009)); Exxon Corp. v. State, 40 P.3d 786, 792 (Alaska 2001) (“Interpretation of a contract is a question of law that is not within the department’s special expertise or skill.”). 10 City of Valdez v. State, 372 P.3d 240, 246 (Alaska 2016) (alterations in original) (quoting Tesoro Alaska Petroleum Co. v. Kenai Pipe Line Co., 746 P.2d 896, 903 (Alaska 1987)). -9- 7283 light of preced

2018Res., Div. of Oil & Gas, 261 P.3d 412, 419 (Alaska 2011) (quoting Pasternak v. State, Commercial Fisheries Entry Comm’n, 166 P.3d 904, 907 (Alaska 2007)). 9 Id. (quoting Beal v. McGuire, 216 P.3d 1154, 1162 (Alaska 2009)); Exxon Corp. v. State, 40 P.3d 786, 792 (Alaska 2001) (“Interpretation of a contract is a question of law that is not within the department’s special expertise or skill.”). 10 City of Valdez v. State, 372 P.3d 240, 246 (Alaska 2016) (alterations in original) (quoting Tesoro Alaska Petroleum Co. v. Kenai Pipe Line Co., 746 P.2d 896, 903 (Alaska 1987)). -9- 7283 light of preced

2018Res., Div. of Oil & Gas, 261 P.3d 412, 419 (Alaska 2011) (quoting Pasternak v. State, Commercial Fisheries Entry Comm’n, 166 P.3d 904, 907 (Alaska 2007)). 9 Id. (quoting Beal v. McGuire, 216 P.3d 1154, 1162 (Alaska 2009)); Exxon Corp. v. State, 40 P.3d 786, 792 (Alaska 2001) (“Interpretation of a contract is a question of law that is not within the department’s special expertise or skill.”). 10 City of Valdez v. State, 372 P.3d 240, 246 (Alaska 2016) (alterations in original) (quoting Tesoro Alaska Petroleum Co. v. Kenai Pipe Line Co., 746 P.2d 896, 903 (Alaska 1987)). -9- 7283 light of preced

2018Res., Div. of Oil & Gas, 261 P.3d 412, 419 (Alaska 2011) (quoting Pasternak v. State, Commercial Fisheries Entry Comm’n, 166 P.3d 904, 907 (Alaska 2007)). 9 Id. (quoting Beal v. McGuire, 216 P.3d 1154, 1162 (Alaska 2009)); Exxon Corp. v. State, 40 P.3d 786, 792 (Alaska 2001) (“Interpretation of a contract is a question of law that is not within the department’s special expertise or skill.”). 10 City of Valdez v. State, 372 P.3d 240, 246 (Alaska 2016) (alterations in original) (quoting Tesoro Alaska Petroleum Co. v. Kenai Pipe Line Co., 746 P.2d 896, 903 (Alaska 1987)). -9- 7283 light of preced

2018Res., Div. of Oil & Gas, 261 P.3d 412, 419 (Alaska 2011) (quoting Pasternak v. State, Commercial Fisheries Entry Comm’n, 166 P.3d 904, 907 (Alaska 2007)). 9 Id. (quoting Beal v. McGuire, 216 P.3d 1154, 1162 (Alaska 2009)); Exxon Corp. v. State, 40 P.3d 786, 792 (Alaska 2001) (“Interpretation of a contract is a question of law that is not within the department’s special expertise or skill.”). 10 City of Valdez v. State, 372 P.3d 240, 246 (Alaska 2016) (alterations in original) (quoting Tesoro Alaska Petroleum Co. v. Kenai Pipe Line Co., 746 P.2d 896, 903 (Alaska 1987)). -9- 7283 light of preced

2018Res., Div. of Oil & Gas, 261 P.3d 412, 419 (Alaska 2011) (quoting Pasternak v. State, Commercial Fisheries Entry Comm’n, 166 P.3d 904, 907 (Alaska 2007)). 9 Id. (quoting Beal v. McGuire, 216 P.3d 1154, 1162 (Alaska 2009)); Exxon Corp. v. State, 40 P.3d 786, 792 (Alaska 2001) (“Interpretation of a contract is a question of law that is not within the department’s special expertise or skill.”). 10 City of Valdez v. State, 372 P.3d 240, 246 (Alaska 2016) (alterations in original) (quoting Tesoro Alaska Petroleum Co. v. Kenai Pipe Line Co., 746 P.2d 896, 903 (Alaska 1987)). -9- 7283 light of preced

2013STANDARD OF REVIEW “When the superior court acts as an intermediate court of appeal in an administrative matter, we independently review and directly scrutinize the merits of the [administrative] decision.”14 We apply a four-part standard, using “(1) the substantial evidence test for questions of fact; (2) the reasonable basis test for questions of law involving agency expertise; (3) the substitution of judgment test for questions of law 14 Kingik v. State, Dep’t of Admin., Div. of Ret. & Benefits, 239 P.3d 1243, 1247-48 (Alaska 2010) (alteration in original). -6- 6798 where no expertise is in

1992This standard is not demanding: “[Wjhere an agency interprets its own regulation ... a deferential standard of review properly recognizes that the agency is best able to discern its intent in promulgating the regulation at issue.” Rose v. Commercial Fisheries Entry Comm’n, 647 P.2d 154, 161 (Alaska 1982).

1992This standard is not demanding: "[W]here an agency interprets its own regulation ... a deferential standard of review properly recognizes that the agency is best able to discern its intent in promulgating the regulation at issue." Rose v. Commercial Fisheries Entry Comm'n, 647 P.2d 154, 161 (Alaska 1982).