Roberts v. Michigan

No. 13640 (Mich. Ct. App. February 23, 1973)

Trials court's determination that the Michigan "Air Pollution Act" is an unconstitutional delegation of legislative authority to the courts is reversed since it is unnecessary for the disposition of this case. Suit is dismissed against the Secretary of State and the State Director of Highways for failure to issue regulations for the control of air pollution caused by automobiles, since neither of these named defendants have the authority to issue such regulations under the Act.

Counsel for Plaintiff
Robert C. Hauke
Hauke, Giffard & Patalidis
26400 Southfield Road
Lathrup Village, Michigan 48075

Counsel for Defendant
Russell A. Searl Assistant State Attorney General
770 Law Building
Lansing, Michigan 48933

James Mueller
Highway Building
Lansing, Michigan 48933

[3 ELR 20207]

R. B. Burns, J.

Plaintiff filed suit in his individual capacity and on behalf of the citizens of the State of Michigan for injunctive relief and $510,000,000 in damages, under the provisions of MCLA 691.1202; MSA 14.528(202).

Plaintiff asked that the Secretary of State be restrained from issuing motor vehicle licenses and that the Director, State Department of Highways, be restrained from constructing highways until rules, regulations, standards and safeguards were adopted and enforced which would control air pollution caused by automobiles.

Plaintiff also asked that the defendants be restrained from using or operating State owned vehicles until such rules, regulations, standards and safeguards were adopted.

Plaintiff also demanded $510,000,000 in damages.

Defendants moved for summary judgment and accelerated judgment claiming the Secretary of State and Director, State Department of Highways, lacked authority to adopt standards, rules, regulations and safeguards in relation to pollution arising from the operation of motor vehicles.

The trial court agreed that the Secretary of State and Director, [3 ELR 20208] State Department of Highways, lacked authority to adopt standards, rules, regulations and safeguards in relation to pollution. The court refused to dismiss the defendants from the suit, as it held that the defendants had authority to adopt rules and regulations as to vehicles owned or operated by the two defendants and their respective departments.

The trial court held that the act was unconstitutional so far as it pertains to pollution arising from the operation of motor vehicles, as an unlawful delegation of legislative authority to the courts.

MCLA 336.11 et seq; MSA 14.58(1) et seq, known as the "Air Pollution Act" established a commission to promulgate rules and regulations for controlling air pollution. Neither the Secretary of State nor the Director, State Department of Highways, are members of the commission.

Neither of the two named defendants have the authority or the responsibility to promulgate rules and regulations to control air pollution.

The Michigan Court of Claims has exclusive jurisdiction of actions for damages against the State of Michigan and State officials. MCLA 600.6419; MSA 27A.6519.

It is a well established principle that the constitutionality of a statute will not be passed upon if the case may be otherwise decided. It is not necessary to decide the constitutional issue in this case.

The trial court erred in deciding the constitutionality of the "Air Pollution Act" and is hereby reversed.

The trial court is affirmed in its dismissal of the cause of action.

Affirmed in part and reversed in part.

No costs, a public question.