Bryant v. Whitley , 70 Ga. App. 864 ( 1944 )

The limit of time fixed by the Code, § 23-1709, within which actions on the bonds therein required to be given must be filed is construed to be a statute of limitations and not a condition on the right of action, since such limitation applies to the obligees in the bonds as well as to those to whom a right of action is given for the first time.

DECIDED MARCH 17, 1944. ADHERED TO ON REHEARING, MARCH 30, 1944. I. Bryant sued J. E. Whitley as principal, and Western Casualty and Surety Company as surety, on a road-contract bond executed under the provisions of the act of 1916 (Ga. L. 1916, p. 94; Code, §§ 23-1705 et seq.). The action is a renewal of one filed against the same parties within one year after the completion of the contract between J. E. Whitley and the State Highway Department and the acceptance of the work by the highway department. The present action shows on its face that it was not filed within one year from the completion of the contract and the acceptance of the work. The court sustained a general demurrer and dismissed the action as to the surety company, and the plaintiff excepted.

The act of 1916, above referred to, repealed the act of 1910 (Ga. L. 1910, p. 86), providing for a similar action, and provided (Code, § 23-1708), that "any person entitled to the protection of such bond may maintain an action thereon for the amount due him, subject to the provisions hereinafter stated." The statute then sets out the conditions under which actions may be brought on the bond. In section 5 of the act it is provided: "Limit of time to bring action: . . no action can be instituted on said bond after one year from the completion of the said contract and the acceptance of said public building or public work by the proper public authorities." Section 5 is separately codified as § 23-1709 of the Code of 1933. The plaintiff in error contends that the provision of the time limit within which the action can be brought is merely a time limitation on the action, and that a renewal action filed within six months from the voluntary dismissal of the first action by him is authorized by the Code, § 3-803, providing for renewal actions within six months from the time of the nonsuit, discontinuance, or dismissal of the original action. The defendant in error contends that the one-year limitation is not a mere time limit on the action, but that the time limitation is a condition annexed to the right of action created by the statute. The general rule is that "a statute which in itself creates a new liability, gives an action to enforce it unknown to the common law, and fixes the time within which that action may be commenced, is not a statute of limitations. It is a statute of creation, and the commencement of the action within the time it fixes is an indispensable condition of the liability and of the action which it permits." 34 Am. Jur. 16, § 7. This principle is recognized and enforced in this State. Parmelee v.Savannah, Florida Western Ry., 78 Ga. 239 (2 S.E. 686);Chamlee Lumber Co. v. Crichton, 136 Ga. 391 (71 S.E. 673);Porter v. Liberty Mutual Ins. Co., 46 Ga. App. 86 (166 S.E. 675); Bussey v. Bishop, 169 Ga. 251 (150 S.E. 78, 67 A.L.R. 287); Atlantic Log Export Co. v. Central of Ga. Ry.Co., 171 Ga. 175 (155 S.E. 525); Kwilecki v. Young,180 Ga. 602 (180 S.E. 137). If the act under consideration created a right of action for the first time, and provided for a limitation on the action as to time with respect to those to whom the right of action was for the first time being given, then under the general rule above stated the time limit would be construed to be a condition on the right of action, and not a statute of limitation. Here, however, the right of action given to the obligee in the bond existed before the act was passed, and would exist without the authority conferred by the statute. The new right of action is given to the parties who are not parties to the bond; but the limitation of time on the action applies to the obligee, a party to the bond, as well as to the other parties who are for the first time authorized to sue. As to the obligee the limit of time, under the general rule, is a statute of limitations, and since the legislature made no distinction between the different parties involved, it will be presumed that it intended the provision to be a statute of limitations as to all actions under the bond. Under the general rule the statute could not apply alike to all parties if it were construed to be a condition on the right of action. In the absence of any intention to that effect it will not be presumed that the legislature intended the words fixing the time limit to have a double meaning. This conclusion is supported by the cases of Kansas City Hydraulic Press Brick Co. v. National Surety Co., 167 Fed. 496, and s. c., 149 Fed. 507, though not altogether on the same reasoning. While alone not controlling as to legislative intent, the fact that the limit as to time of bringing suit was not provided for in the section of the act which created the cause of action, as to some of the parties therein named, and the fact that the provision was placed in a separately numbered paragraph and headed, "Limit of time to bring action," and was similarly headed and separately codified, indicates that our construction is correct. The statute discussed in United States ex rel. Texas Portland Cement Co. v. McCord, 233 U.S. 157 (34 Sup. Ct. 550,58 L. ed. 893), provides a time limit solely for the parties for whom a new right of action is created therein. It does not provide a time limit for the United States, the obligee in the bonds, nor does it attempt to give such obligee a right of action. The same is true of Fleisher Eng. c. Co. v. U.S.,311 U.S. 15 (61 Sup. Ct. 81, 85 L. ed. 12). Therefore we conclude that the time limit in the act here involved is a limitation provision, and not a condition on the right of action; that a renewal action within six months from the dismissal of the original action is within time; and that the court erred in sustaining the demurrer to the renewal action, and in dismissing it as to the surety company.

Judgment reversed. Parker, J., concurs.