Washington Trucking Ass'n v. Employment Security Department , 192 Wash. App. 621 ( 2016 )

Filed
Washington State
Court of Appeals
Division Two
February 9, 2016
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION II
WASHINGTON TRUCKING No. 47681-9-II
ASSOCIATIONS, a Washington nonprofit
corporation; EAGLE SYSTEMS, INC., a
Washington corporation, GORDON
TRUCKING, INC., a Washington corporation;
HANEY TRUCK LINE, INC., a Washington
corporation; JASPER TRUCKING, INC., a
Washington corporation; PSFL LEASING,
INC., a Washington corporation; and SYSTEM-
TWT TRANSPORTATION d/b/a SYSTEM-
TWT, a Washington limited liability company,
Appellants,
v.
THE STATE OF WASHINGTON, PUBLISHED OPINION
EMPLOYMENT SECURITY DEPARTMENT;
PAUL TRAUSE, individually and in his official
capacity as the former Commissioner of the
Employment Security Department, and JANE
DOE TRAUSE, husband and wife and the
marital community composed thereof; BILL
WARD, individually and in his official capacity,
and JANE DOE WARD, husband and wife and
the marital community composed thereof; LAEL
BYINGTON, individually and in his official
capacity, and JANE DOE BYINGTON, husband
and wife and the marital community composed
thereof; JOY STEWART, a single individual,
individually and in her official capacity;
MELISSA HARTUNG, a single individual,
individually and in her official capacity; ALICIA
SWANGWAN, a single individual, individually
and in her official capacity;
Respondents.
No. 47681-9-II
MAXA, J. ― The Washington Trucking Association (WTA) and six Washington based
trucking carriers (the Carriers) appeal the trial court’s dismissal under CR 12(b)(6) or CR 12(c)
of their lawsuit against the Washington Employment Security Department (ESD) and various
ESD employees. The lawsuit arose from a series of audits of the Carriers (and other WTA
members) that ESD conducted, after which ESD determined that “owner/operators” of trucking
equipment leased by the Carriers were the Carriers’ employees. This determination resulted in
additional unemployment tax assessments. WTA and the Carriers allege that ESD targeted the
trucking industry and conducted rigged audits in which ESD required the auditors find an
employment relationship and liability for unemployment taxes. WTA and the Carriers asserted
claims (1) against ESD employees under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for violation of the Carriers’ due
process and other constitutional rights based on the failure to properly conduct the audits; and (2)
against ESD for tortious interference with the Carriers’ contracts and business expectancies
based on ESD’s decision to classify owner/operators as employees.1
We hold that (1) WTA does not have individual standing to assert § 1983 or tortious
interference claims and does not have associational standing to assert tortious interference
claims, but whether WTA has associational standing to assert a § 1983 claim cannot be
determined based on the complaint allegations; (2) WTA’s and the Carriers’ § 1983 claim is
barred by the principle of comity to the extent that they seek damages in the amount of the tax
1
WTA and the Carriers also asserted claims for bad faith, conversion, and unjust enrichment.
However, on review they confine their argument to the dismissal of their § 1983 and tortious
interference with contract and business expectancy claims. Therefore, we do not address these
claims.
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No. 47681-9-II
assessments, but not to the extent that they seek damages unrelated to the assessment amounts;
(3) RCW 50.32.180 and the doctrine of exhaustion of administrative remedies bar the Carriers’
claim of tortious interference with a contract or business expectancy to the extent that claim is
based on an allegation that the reclassification of owner/operators as employees was incorrect,
but not to the extent that the claim is based on allegations that ESD had an improper motive or
used improper means in making that reclassification; and (4) the Carriers’ complaint allegations
were sufficient to state a claim for tortious interference with a contract or business expectancy.
Accordingly, we affirm in part and reverse in part, and remand to the trial court for
proceedings consistent with this opinion.
FACTS
The Parties
WTA is a trade association that seeks to protect and promote the interests of the
Washington trucking industry. WTA’s mission is to promote a favorable and profitable
operating environment for the industry’s members, which includes protecting the industry’s use
of owner/operators and ensuring that members are taxed only as allowed by Washington law.
The six plaintiff trucking carriers are Eagle Systems, Inc.; Gordon Trucking, Inc.; Haney
Truck Line, Inc.; Jasper Trucking, Inc.; PSFL Leasing, Inc.; and System-TWT Transport. All of
the Carriers have been assessed state unemployment taxes based on their lease contracts with
owner/operators of trucking equipment. The Carriers are members of WTA.
ESD is a state agency that administers Washington’s unemployment compensation
system under the authority granted to its commissioner by the Employment Security Act (ESA),
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No. 47681-9-II
Title 50 RCW. ESD employees named as defendants are (1) Paul Trause, former commissioner;
(2) Bill Ward, director of unemployment insurance audits and collections; (3) Lael Byington,
former manager of the tax investigations and specialized collections unit; (4) Joy Stewart,
auditor; (5) Melissa Hartung, auditor; and (6) Alicia Swangwan, auditor.
Carriers and Owner/Operators
The Carriers are for-hire general freight carriers that operate in a number of states. The
Carriers meet fluctuating demand for their services by contracting with owner/operators to lease
trucking equipment from them on an as-needed basis.
Owner/operators own their own trucking equipment (the truck tractor and sometimes also
the trailer). General freight carriers contract with the owner/operator to lease their trucking
equipment. The contracts also include truck operating services, which can be provided either by
the owner/operator personally or by employees hired by the owner/operator. Federal regulations
dictate many terms of these contracts.
Procedural History
In 2010, ESD audited and assessed additional unemployment taxes on three of the
Carriers: Gordon Trucking, Haney Truck Line, and System-TWT Transport. Each carrier timely
appealed to the Office of Administrative Hearings pursuant to RCW 50.32.030. The appeals
were assigned to an administrative law judge (ALJ).
The three carriers filed a consolidated motion for summary judgment before the ALJ.
They argued for dismissal of the ESD tax assessments on various grounds, including federal
preemption and the violation of auditing standards. In March 2011, the ALJ denied the motion
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No. 47681-9-II
for summary judgment, finding that there were genuine disputes of material fact regarding the
relationships between carriers and owner/operators and the conduct of the auditors.
The ALJ then remanded System-TWT Transport’s assessment to ESD for reconsideration
and new audits. The order instructed ESD to review whether owner/operators who contracted
with the carrier were “in employment” under RCW 50.04.100, if so whether the services the
owner/operators provided actually took place in Washington, and whether the assessment was
properly limited to services provided and not equipment. The ALJ’s remand order also
instructed the parties to engage in settlement negotiations after the new audits were performed.
The ALJ remanded the assessments of Eagle Systems, Gordon Trucking, Haney Truck Line,
Jasper Trucking, and PSFL Leasing under the same terms as the System-TWT Transport remand.
Alleged Settlement Agreement
After the ALJ’s remand order, the Carriers and ESD engaged in settlement negotiations.
The Carriers believed a settlement had been reached, but ESD disagreed.
In 2013 the Carriers obtained an ex parte show cause order from the Pierce County
Superior Court directing ESD to show cause why the court should not enforce the settlement
agreement. After a show cause hearing, the superior court concluded that a settlement had been
reached and entered an order enforcing the agreement. The terms of the settlement included that
the appeals be dismissed from the administrative hearing and that “[n]o further exhaustion of
administrative remedies shall be required in order to permit the judicial appeals by the respective
Carriers.” Clerk’s Papers (CP) at 341.
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No. 47681-9-II
ESD appealed the superior court’s order enforcing the settlement agreement. This court
reversed the order, holding that the superior court lacked personal jurisdiction because the show
cause procedure was inappropriate to start an action. Eagle Sys., Inc. v. State Emp’t Sec. Dept.,
181 Wash. App. 455, 457, 326 P.3d 764 (2014). This court did not address whether or not a valid
settlement agreement had been reached. Id. at 461.
Damages Lawsuit against ESD
In May 2013, WTA and the Carriers filed suit against ESD and certain named ESD
employees. In February 2014, WTA and the Carriers filed a second amended complaint.
WTA’s and the Carriers’ allegations in that complaint are summarized as follows:
1. Pursuant to the ESD commissioner’s authority under RCW 50.12.010, ESD audits
employers to determine whether the employer owes additional sums for unemployment taxes and
may assess the employer for any sums owed, including interest and penalties.
2. All ESD auditors are required to comply with the Generally Accepted Auditing Standards.
They also must comply with ESD’s own tax audit manual and status manual, which explain how
to determine if an owner/operator is an employee or independent contractor.
3. The Carriers and other WTA members traditionally have not paid unemployment taxes for
the owner/operators with whom they contract, because they view the owner/operators as
independent contractors rather than employees. The Carriers based that view on previous
representations from ESD that if the owner/operators brought substantial equipment to the
relationship, unemployment taxes need not be paid.
4. Without statutory or regulatory authority, Trause, Ward, and Byington directed ESD to
establish an underground economy unit designed to collect additional taxes from certain
industries. Stewart, who lacked a background in auditing, urged ESD to target the trucking
industry as part of the underground economy initiative.
5. ESD required Stewart’s underground economy audits to net 98 percent to 100 percent
changes to payroll and to discover a minimum amount of taxes and new employees per quarter.
6. Stewart conducted the majority of the audits at issue in this case. Hartung and Swangwan
each conducted one audit. The audit outcomes were predetermined, because the auditors were
required to find an employment relationship between motor carriers and owner/operators
6
No. 47681-9-II
resulting in additional unemployment tax liability. All three auditors determined that
owner/operators were employees of the Carriers and assessed the Carriers additional
unemployment taxes for the owner/operators.
7. The auditors assessed unemployment tax liability based on total amounts paid to the
owner/operators. They made no effort to segregate the value of the owner/operator’s equipment
from the value of driving services when calculating tax liability.
8. Trause, Ward, and Byington directed the audits of the Carriers, knowing that the audits
violated Department standards. Trause, Ward, and Byington directed ESD and the Attorney
General’s Office to defend the audits with predetermined outcomes.
WTA and the Carriers asserted a § 1983 claim against Trause, Ward, Byington, Stewart,
Hartung, and Swangwan in their personal capacities for their part in the audits and assessments.
WTA and the Carriers alleged that (1) Stewart’s, Hartung’s and Swangwan’s failure to properly
conduct audits violated the Carriers’ due process rights; (2) Trause’s and Ward’s failure to
ensure that the audits were properly conducted pursuant to the general accounting standards and
ESD’s standards violated the Carriers’ due process rights; (3) Byington’s insertion of a quota
system into Stewart’s performance expectations deprived Stewart of impartiality and objectivity
and violated the Carriers’ due process rights; (4) the named ESD employees’ determination that
owner/operators were the Carriers’ employees created a relationship that neither the
owner/operators nor the Carriers wanted with terms that neither was free to negotiate, which
violated the Carriers’ freedom to contract; (5) the named ESD employees’ actions were arbitrary
or capricious and violated the Carriers’ rights to substantive due process and equal protection;
(6) federal law preempted the named ESD employees’ application of the ESA, which violated
WTA’s and the Carriers’ due process rights; and (7) ESD’s improper assessments indirectly
infringed on the Carriers’ right under the commerce clause to engage in interstate commerce free
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No. 47681-9-II
of discriminatory taxes. WTA and the Carriers requested an award of damages and punitive
damages under § 1983.
WTA and the Carriers also asserted a claim against ESD for tortious interference with
contracts and business expectancies based on ESD’s reclassification of owner/operators as
employees subject to unemployment taxes. WTA and the Carriers alleged that ESD’s actions
inflicted severe damages on them. They requested an award of damages under this claim.
Trial Court Dismissal
ESD filed a motion to dismiss WTA’s and the Carriers’ claims under CR 12(b)(6) and/or
CR 12(c). The trial court granted the motion. In its oral ruling, the trial court stated that
(1) WTA lacked standing regarding the § 1983 claim, (2) the plaintiffs could not challenge
specific unemployment tax assessments without first exhausting administrative remedies, and
(3) all the elements of the tortious interference claim were not met as a matter of law. Because
the trial court ruled that the § 1983 claim required exhaustion, it did not address the merits of that
claim.
WTA and the Carriers appeal.
ANALYSIS
A. THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESS
Chapter 50.32 RCW outlines the process for appealing unemployment taxes. After ESD
issues an order and notice of assessment pursuant to RCW 50.24.070, the employer has 30 days
to file an initial appeal to the “appeal tribunal.” RCW 50.32.030. The filing of an appeal stays
the accrual of interest and penalties on the disputed assessment until a final decision is made.
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No. 47681-9-II
RCW 50.32.030. The “appeal tribunal” is a disinterested ALJ from the Office of Administrative
Hearings. RCW 50.32.010. After a hearing, the ALJ must provide a ruling in which the
assessment may be affirmed, modified, or set aside. RCW 50.32.050.
Either party may appeal the ALJ’s decision by making a petition for review to the ESD
commissioner within 30 days of the ALJ’s decision. RCW 50.32.070. After reviewing the
proceedings that took place before the ALJ, the commissioner issues a decision in writing that
affirms, modifies, or sets aside the ALJ’s decision. RCW 50.32.080. Alternatively, the
commissioner can order further proceedings before the ALJ. RCW 50.32.080.
RCW 50.32.120 grants either party the right to appeal the commissioner’s ruling pursuant
to RCW 34.05.570, the Administrative Procedure Act (APA)2 provision for judicial review.
Judicial review permits various challenges to the agency’s order. RCW 34.05.570(3)(a)-(i). For
example, the employer may challenge the commissioner’s decision on grounds that the decision
violated constitutional provisions or erroneously interpreted or applied the law. RCW
34.05.570(3)(a), (d).
RCW 50.32.180 provides that the remedies provided in the ESA for determining the
“justness or correctness of assessments . . . shall be exclusive and no court shall entertain any
action to enjoin an assessment or require a refund or adjustment except in accordance with the
provisions of this title.”
2
Ch. 34.05 RCW.
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No. 47681-9-II
B. STANDARD OF REVIEW
ESD moved for dismissal under both CR 12(b)(6) and CR 12(c), and the trial court did
not specify the basis for its dismissal order. Under CR 12(b)(6), a complaint may be dismissed if
it fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. CR 12(c) allows parties to move for
judgment on the pleadings.
Under either subsection, we review the dismissal de novo. Protect the Peninsula’s
Future v. City of Port Angeles, 175 Wash. App. 201, 208 & n.4, 304 P.3d 914 (2013). Dismissal
under CR 12(b)(6) or CR 12(c) is appropriate only if the court concludes beyond a doubt that the
plaintiff cannot prove any set of facts that would justify recovery. FutureSelect Portfolio Mgmt.,
Inc. v. Tremont Grp. Holdings, Inc., 180 Wash. 2d 954, 962, 331 P.3d 29 (2014) (CR 12(b)(6)
dismissal); Ent v. Wash. State Criminal Justice Training Comm'n, 174 Wash. App. 615, 622, 301
P.3d 468 (2013) (CR 12(c) dismissal). On review, we presume that the allegations in the
plaintiff’s complaint are true, and we also may consider any hypothetical facts the plaintiff
offers. FutureSelect, 180 Wash. 2d at 962; Ent, 174 Wash. App. at 622.3
C. WTA’S STANDING TO ASSERT § 1983 AND TORTIOUS INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
WTA argues that the trial court erred in dismissing WTA’s § 1983 claim based on lack of
standing to assert that claim. In addition, standing potentially is an issue regarding the tortious
3
Generally, submission of evidence not contained in the original complaint converts a CR
12(b)(6) motion to a summary judgment motion. Bavand v. OneWest Bank, FSB, 176 Wash. App.
475, 485, 309 P.3d 636 (2013). Here, it appears that the parties submitted additional materials
not contained in the complaint. However, neither party argues that the summary judgment
standard should be applied here.
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No. 47681-9-II
interference with a contract or business expectancy claim.4 We hold that WTA does not have
individual standing to assert § 1983 or tortious interference claims and does not have
associational standing to assert a tortious interference claim, but that whether WTA has
associational standing to assert a § 1983 claim cannot be determined based on the complaint
allegations.
1. Individual Standing
To establish individual standing, a party must satisfy both prongs of a two-pronged test.
Branson v. Port of Seattle, 152 Wash. 2d 862, 875-76, 101 P.3d 67 (2004). First, the party’s claim
must fall within the “zone of interests” protected by the statute or constitutional provision at
issue. Id. at 875. Second, the party must show some “personal injury fairly traceable to the
challenged conduct and likely to be redressed by the requested relief.” High Tide Seafoods v.
State, 106 Wash. 2d 695, 702, 725 P.2d 411 (1986). In other words, the party must have “suffered
from an injury in fact, economic or otherwise.” Branson, 152 Wash. 2d at 876.
WTA argues that it has standing on its own behalf because it suffered injury in the form
of attorney fees and costs that it incurred regarding the Carriers’ administrative appeals and
litigation over the assessments. WTA and the Carriers alleged in their second amended
complaint that they had incurred costs and attorney fees in “defending the assessments.”
CP 224. For purposes of CR 12(b)(6) and CR 12(c), this allegation satisfies the second prong of
the individual standing test.
4
It is unclear whether WTA argues that it has standing to assert claims for tortious interference
with contractual relationships and business expectancies on behalf of the Carriers. We address
this standing issue in case WTA does make this argument.
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No. 47681-9-II
But WTA cannot satisfy the first prong of the individual standing test – that its claims fall
within the zone of interests protected by § 1983 or the tort of tortious interference with a contract
or business expectancy. There is no allegation that ESD employees violated WTA’s
constitutional rights. ESD never audited or assessed unemployment taxes against WTA. WTA
incurred attorney fees only because of alleged violations of the constitutional rights of its
members. In the examination of individual standing, those rights are not necessarily the rights of
the organization. Similarly, WTA does not allege that ESD interfered with its own contracts or
business expectancies.
Accordingly, we hold that WTA does not have individual standing to pursue a § 1983
claim or a tortious interference with a contract or business expectancy claim.
2. Associational Standing
An association that otherwise does not have individual standing, may have standing on
behalf of its members. Associational standing is established when (1) the members of the
organization otherwise would have standing to sue in their own right, (2) the interests that the
organization seeks to protect are germane to its purpose, and (3) neither the claim nor the relief
requires the participation of the organization’s individual members. Riverview Cmty. Grp. v.
Spencer & Livingston, 181 Wash. 2d 888, 894, 337 P.3d 1076 (2014). The first two prongs are
constitutional, but the third prong is judicially created for administrative convenience and
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No. 47681-9-II
efficiency. Int’l Ass’n of Firefighters, Local 1789 v. Spokane Airports, 146 Wash. 2d 207, 215, 45
P.3d 186 (2002).
Associational standing may exist when the association seeks monetary damages on behalf
of individual members, as well as with other remedies. See Firefighters, 146 Wash. 2d at 214-16.
In a suit seeking monetary damages, the third prong will be satisfied if the amount of monetary
relief requested on behalf of each member is “certain, easily ascertainable, and within the
knowledge of the defendant.” Id. at 215-16; see also Pugh v. Evergreen Hosp. Med. Ctr., 177
Wash. App. 363, 366, 312 P.3d 665 (2013), review denied, 180 Wash. 2d 1007 (2014). The fact that
individual members may be required to testify does not automatically defeat associational
standing. Riverview, 181 Wash. 2d at 894 n.1; Teamsters Local Union No. 117 v. Dep't of Corr.,
145 Wash. App. 507, 513-14, 187 P.3d 754 (2008).
ESD does not dispute that WTA meets the first and second prongs of the three-part test
for associational standing. The Carriers have standing in their own right and the issues are
germane to WTA’s purpose. ESD challenges the third prong – whether the claim or the relief
requires the participation of the WTA’s individual members.
The tortious interference claim clearly does not meet the third prong because it involves a
request for monetary damages and would require extensive member participation to resolve it.5
Resolution of each member’s claim would involve a fact-specific inquiry regarding the nature of
5
In Firefighters, the Supreme Court explained that "[m]onetary damages are distinguishable
from injunctive relief, in that injunctive relief generally benefits every member of an employee
association equally whereas the amount of monetary damages an employee suffers may vary
from employee to employee.” 146 Wash. 2d at 214.
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No. 47681-9-II
the member’s business expectancy with individual owner/operators, the extent of interference
with that expectancy, and the amount of damages. Each carrier would need to provide
individualized evidence and testimony regarding these issues. As a result, we hold that WTA
does not have associational standing regarding the tortious interference claim.6
Regarding the § 1983 claim, WTA argues that the damages here are easily ascertainable
because they consist of concrete amounts, such as the Carriers’ litigation costs and attorney fees.
It also argues that the punitive damages under § 1983 are determined by ESD’s conduct, and
therefore the participation of WTA members would not be necessary for those calculations.
However, at this stage in the litigation we cannot properly evaluate the third element of
the associational standing test for the § 1983 claim. In WTA’s and the Carriers’ complaint, the
requested relief is “[a]n award of damages under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 . . . , including punitive
damages, in an amount to be proven at the time of trial.” CP 229. This request for relief does
not specify the type of damages WTA and the Carriers are claiming, and does not indicate the
type of proof that will be required to establish the claimed damages. As a result, whether WTA
has associational standing in this case to assert a § 1983 claim cannot be decided based on the
complaint allegations and will depend on further development of the facts.
Accordingly, we hold that the trial court erred in ruling on a CR 12(b)(6) or CR 12(c)
motion that WTA has no associational standing to assert a § 1983 claim.7
6
WTA does not allege that it has received an assignment of its members' damages claims. See
Firefighters, 146 Wash. 2d at 214.
7
If the only claimed damages were the amount of the assessments, there is no question that
WTA would have associational standing because those damages are certain, easily ascertainable,
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No. 47681-9-II
D. SECTION 1983 CLAIM
WTA and the Carriers argue that the trial court erred in dismissing their § 1983 claim
because their complaint alleged multiple violations of their constitutional rights, and those
allegations must be presumed to be true. ESD responds that the principle of comity bars § 1983
challenges to state taxes when an adequate state law remedy exists and that the ESA and the
APA provide an adequate remedy here.8 We hold that comity bars the § 1983 claim to the extent
that WTA and the Carriers seek damages based on the amounts of the assessments, but not to the
extent that they seek damages independent of the assessment amounts.
1. Alleged Violation of Constitutional Rights
42 U.S.C. § 1983 seeks to protect citizens who have been deprived of their rights under
the Constitution by someone acting under the color of state law. It states:
Every person who, under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or
usage, of any State or Territory or the District of Columbia, subjects, or causes to
be subjected, any citizen of the United States or other person within the jurisdiction
thereof to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the
Constitution and laws, shall be liable to the party injured in an action at law, suit in
equity, or other proper proceeding for redress.
42 U.S.C. § 1983. When a state’s conduct is at issue, individual state employees are subject to
liability under § 1983, but the state and state agencies are not. Hontz v. State, 105 Wash. 2d 302,
309, 714 P.2d 1176 (1986).
and within ESD’s knowledge. Firefighters, 146 Wash. 2d at 215-16. However, as discussed
below, we hold that claims for those damages are barred under the principle of comity.
8
The trial court ruled that WTA and the Carriers could not pursue their § 1983 claims because
they had not exhausted their administrative remedies. ESD concedes that exhaustion is not
required to file a § 1983 claim, and argues only that comity bars the § 1983 claim here.
Therefore, we do not address exhaustion of administrative remedies in this context.
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No. 47681-9-II
WTA and the Carriers allege that the named ESD employees violated their constitutional
rights in a number of ways. As stated above, for purposes of a CR 12(b)(6) or CR 12(c) motion
we are required to presume that these allegations are true. Therefore, there is no question that
WTA and the Carriers stated a claim under § 1983 in their complaint. The issue here is whether
the principle of comity bars that claim.
2. Principle of Comity
The principle of comity recognizes that the federal government, and particularly federal
courts, must show “a proper respect for state functions” and must decline to “unduly interfere
with the legitimate activities of the States.” Younger v. Harris, 401 U.S. 37, 44, 91 S. Ct. 746,
27 L. Ed. 2d 669 (1971). Comity is particularly important in cases involving state taxation
because of the “important and sensitive nature of state tax systems.” Fair Assessment in Real
Estate Ass’n v. McNary, 454 U.S. 100, 102, 102 S. Ct. 177, 70 L. Ed. 2d 271 (1981). “We have
long recognized that principles of federalism and comity generally counsel that courts should
adopt a hands-off approach with respect to state tax administration.” Nat’l Private Truck
Council, Inc. v. Oklahoma Tax Comm’n, 515 U.S. 582, 586, 115 S. Ct. 2351, 132 L. Ed. 2d 509
(1995).
Because of comity, the United States Supreme Court “repeatedly [has] shown an aversion
to federal interference with state tax administration.” Id. For example, the Court held that
federal courts could not render declaratory judgments as to the constitutionality of state tax laws.
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co. v. Huffman, 319 U.S. 293, 298-302, 63 S. Ct. 1070, 87 L. Ed.
1407 (1943). Congress also has shown such an aversion. Nat’l Private Truck, 515 U.S. at 586.
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Congress enacted the Tax Injunction Act (TIA) in 1937, which prevents federal courts from
enjoining the assessment, levy, or collection of any state tax where a plain, speedy, and efficient
remedy exists in state court. 28 U.S.C. § 1341.9
The United States Supreme Court has decided two cases that address application of the
comity principle to § 1983 actions involving state taxation. In Fair Assessment, the plaintiffs
filed a § 1983 action in federal court, alleging the unconstitutional administration of a local
property tax system. 454 U.S. at 101, 105-06. Specifically, the plaintiffs alleged that
administration of the property tax system violated equal protection and due process in that
(1) properties with new improvements were assessed at a higher percentage of their current
market value than properties without new improvements, and (2) property owners who
successfully appealed their property assessments were targeted for reassessment the next year.
Id. at 106. The plaintiffs sought damages in the amount of property tax overassessments over a
four-year period and punitive damages. Id.
The Court reaffirmed the vitality of the common law comity principle apart from the TIA
and the applicability of comity to actions seeking a remedy other than injunctive relief. Id. at
110-11. And it refused to limit the application of comity to declaratory judgment actions, stating
that damages actions would require a declaration that a state tax scheme was unconstitutional and
would be just as disruptive to the collection of taxes. Id. at 113-15. As a result, the Court held
that the principle of comity bars § 1983 actions in federal court that seek damages based on the
9
Both parties refer to the TIA in their briefs. However, the TIA is inapplicable here because
WTA and the Carriers filed suit in state court and not in federal court, and the TIA does not limit
state courts. Nat’l Private Truck, 515 U.S. at 588.
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alleged invalidity of state tax systems. Id. at 116. The Court stated that taxpayers must pursue
state remedies to protect their federal rights, “provided of course that those remedies are plain,
adequate, and complete.” Id.
In National Private Truck, the plaintiffs filed a § 1983 action in state court, alleging that
certain Oklahoma taxes imposed against trucks registered in any of 25 states were
unconstitutional. 515 U.S. at 584. The plaintiffs claimed that the taxes were discriminatory in
violation of the dormant commerce clause and the privileges and immunities clause of the United
States Constitution. Id. The plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief, and a refund of
taxes paid. Id. The Oklahoma Supreme Court awarded tax refunds under state law, but declined
to award relief under § 1983. Id. at 585.
The United States Supreme Court again emphasized the “background presumption that
federal law generally will not interfere with administration of state taxes.” Id. at 588. The Court
held that the comity-based rule adopted in Fair Assessment for federal court actions applied
equally to state court § 1983 actions. Nat’l Private Truck, 515 U.S. at 589-92. The Court
concluded that state courts must refrain from granting declaratory or injunctive relief under §
1983 when state law provides an adequate legal remedy. Id. at 589, 592.
National Private Truck only addressed § 1983 claims that sought injunctive or
declaratory relief against state taxes in state court. Id. at 592. But several lower courts have
extended the National Private Truck holding to preclude damages claims under § 1983 in state
court. See, e.g., Patel v. City of San Bernardino, 310 F.3d 1138, 1141 (9th Cir. 2002) (“Read
together, Fair Assessment and National Private Truck bar use of § 1983 to litigate state tax
18
No. 47681-9-II
disputes in either state or federal court.”); Kowenhoven v. County of Allegheny, 587 Pa. 545, 901
A.2d 1003, 1014 (2006) (“although Section 1983 injunctive and declaratory relief were at issue
in National Private Truck Council, its reasoning applies equally to a Section 1983 request for
money damages, particularly in view of the Court’s earlier pronouncement, in Fair
Assessment”).
National Private Truck and Fair Assessment establish that regardless of the type of relief
sought, the principle of comity bars a § 1983 claim challenging a state tax system filed in state
court if state law provides an adequate remedy.
3. Adequacy of State Law Remedy
Under National Private Truck and Fair Assessment, whether the comity principle bars
WTA’s and the Carriers’ § 1983 claim relating to the ESD assessments and audits depends on
whether state law – the ESA and the APA – provides WTA and the Carriers with an adequate
remedy.10 We hold that state law provides an adequate remedy for damages based on the amount
of the assessment, but not for damages independent of the amount of the assessment.
a. Legal Principles
In Fair Assessment, the United States Supreme Court held that obtaining a court
declaration regarding the validity of a state tax violates the principle of comity as long as the
state remedy is “plain, adequate, and complete.” 454 U.S. at 116. At a minimum, such a state
remedy must provide a hearing at which the taxpayer may raise constitutional objections to the
10
ESD argues only that the ESA and the APA provide an adequate remedy. Because ESD does
not offer any other potential adequate remedies, we will not expand our analysis to consider
whether other alternative remedies exist.
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No. 47681-9-II
tax. Rosewell v. LaSalle Nat’l Bank, 450 U.S. 503, 512-14, 101 S. Ct. 1221, 67 L. Ed. 2d 464
(1981).
The Court in Fair Assessment stated that there was no significant difference between the
“plain, adequate, and complete” standard and the “plain, speedy and efficient” standard used in
the TIA. 454 U.S. at 116 & n.8. In Rosewell, the Court considered the meaning of “plain,
speedy and efficient” under the TIA. 450 U.S. at 512-19. Breaking the standard down into its
individual parts, the Court noted that remedies that are uncertain or unclear are not “plain.” Id. at
517. The speediness of a remedy must be judged against the usual time for similar litigation. Id.
at 518. Finally, a remedy is efficient if it imposes no unusual hardship that requires ineffectual
activity or unnecessary expenditure of time or energy. Id. at 517-18. The Court ultimately held
that the remedy at issue – refunding the challenged taxes without interest after two years – was
plain, speedy, and efficient. Id. at 528.
For a state remedy to be adequate, “it need not necessarily be ‘the best remedy available
or even equal to or better than the remedy which might be available in the federal courts.’ ”
Mandel v. Hutchinson, 494 F.2d 364, 367 (9th Cir. 1974) (quoting Bland v. McHann, 463 F.2d
21, 29 (5th Cir. 1972)) (addressing standard under the TIA).
b. Adequate Remedy for Invalidating Assessments
RCW 50.32.050 authorizes the ALJ to “affirm, modify or set aside the notice of
assessment.” Therefore, to the extent that WTA and the Carriers are seeking damages under §
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No. 47681-9-II
1983 for the amount of the challenged assessments, the ESA’s administrative process affords an
adequate remedy.
WTA and the Carriers have the ability to argue before the ALJ, as they alleged in their
complaint, that (1) the unemployment tax assessments are invalid because ESD misclassified
owner/operators as employees, (2) federal law preempts ESD’s decision to classify
owner/operators as employees, (3) the unemployment tax assessments violate the commerce
clause of the United States Constitution, and (4) the assessments are invalid because they
resulted from an improper audit process that violated ESD’s own standards. The ALJ has the
authority to address these arguments in deciding whether to affirm, modify, or set aside the
assessment under RCW 50.32.050. In fact, the ALJ addressed the classification of
owner/operators when it remanded the assessments to ESD for reconsideration. In its remand
order, the ALJ specifically ordered that ESD “review, reconsider and re-write” its findings
regarding the classification of employees. CP 299. Similarly, the ALJ considered preemption
when it addressed the Carriers’ summary judgment motion.
If WTA and the Carriers disagree with the ALJ’s ruling and the subsequent decision of
the commissioner on the classification of owner/operators, preemption, or the commerce clause,
they can seek a ruling that the assessments are invalid on judicial review under the APA. They
will be able to invalidate the assessments if they can show that the commissioner “erroneously
interpreted or applied the law,” RCW 34.05.570(3)(d), that the assessments violated due process,
equal protection, or the commerce clause, RCW 34.05.570(3)(a), or that imposing the
assessments based on ESD’s audit procedures violated the constitution. RCW 34.05.570(3)(a).
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No. 47681-9-II
Because there is an adequate state law remedy, barring a § 1983 action for damages based
on the amount of the challenged assessments is required under Fair Assessment. Before WTA
and the Carriers could recover damages based on the amount of the assessments, they would
have to obtain a declaration from the court that the assessments were in fact invalid. The Court
in Fair Assessment held that obtaining such a court declaration regarding a state tax violates the
principle of comity. 454 U.S. at 113-15.
WTA and the Carriers appear to argue that they do not have an adequate remedy
regarding damages under § 1983 in the amount of the challenged assessments for two reasons.
First, they argue that WTA, as opposed to the Carriers, has no adequate state remedy because it
has no administrative or appeal rights. WTA points out that it is not seeking to avoid taxes and
none were imposed on it. However, as discussed above, to the extent WTA has standing to seek
damages in the amount of the challenged assessments, that standing is representative only. WTA
cannot have greater rights than the members it is representing. See Five Corners Family
Farmers v. State, 173 Wash. 2d 296, 304, 268 P.3d 892 (2011) (stating that “[o]rganizations have
standing to assert the interests of their members”).
Second, WTA and the Carriers argue that they do not have an adequate state law remedy
because the ALJ excluded evidence regarding the allegedly improper audits and evidence
relevant to their preemption argument. However, on judicial review under the APA, the superior
court can determine whether such evidence is relevant to the validity of the assessment. RCW
34.05.562 (authorizing the court to receive necessary evidence not contained in the agency
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No. 47681-9-II
record). And the superior court has authority under RCW 34.05.574 to remand the matter for
further proceedings.
We hold that the ESA’s administrative process affords an adequate remedy to the extent
that WTA and the Carriers are seeking damages under § 1983 for the amount of the challenged
unemployment tax assessments. Accordingly, we hold that the principle of comity bars all §
1983 claims asserting such damages.
c. Inadequate Remedy for Damages Independent of Assessments
Under the ESA, the ALJ’s authority is limited. As noted above, RCW 50.32.050
authorizes the ALJ only to “affirm, modify or set aside the notice of assessment.” On review, the
superior court’s authority similarly is limited to issues relating to the assessment. Therefore, to
the extent that WTA and the Carriers are seeking damages under § 1983 that are independent of
the amount of the challenged assessments, the ESA’s administrative process does not afford an
adequate remedy.
WTA and the Carriers allege in their complaint that the ESD employees’ failure to
properly conduct the audits resulting in the assessments violated their due process rights and that
the employees’ arbitrary and capricious conduct violated their due process and equal protection
rights. These allegations can be interpreted as not depending on the invalidity of the
assessments. WTA and the Carriers arguably are alleging that the named employees’ conduct
violated due process regardless of whether the assessments were valid.
WTA and the Carriers request damages under § 1983, but the complaint does not specify
the type of damages claimed. As discussed above, the principle of comity bars all § 1983 claims
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No. 47681-9-II
asserting damages for the amount of the challenged assessments. However, the complaint could
be interpreted as seeking damages independent of the validity of the assessments. For example,
a carrier could allege that it lost income and incurred other financial losses apart from the amount
of the assessment because the assessments and/or audits disrupted its relationship with
owner/operators.
WTA and the Carriers have no ability to argue before the ALJ that they are entitled to
damages that are unrelated to the amount of the challenged assessment. RCW 50.32.050 simply
does not authorize the ALJ to award such damages. The ALJ can only modify or set aside the
assessment, which would result in a tax refund. Nor does the APA authorize the award of such
damages on judicial review. RCW 34.05.574. Therefore, the ESA’s and APA’s administrative
process does not afford an adequate remedy for these types of § 1983 damages.
WTA and the Carriers specifically allege two types of damages that are unrelated to the
amount of the challenged assessment. First, they allege that they incurred costs and attorney fees
in defending against the incorrect assessments. RCW 50.32.050 does not authorize the ALJ to
award reasonable attorney fees. Second, WTA and the Carriers seek an award of punitive
damages under § 1983. Again, RCW 50.32.050 does not authorize the ALJ to award punitive
damages.
We hold that WTA and the Carriers do not have an adequate state law remedy for
damages that are caused by ESD’s assessments or audit procedures that are unrelated to the
amount of the challenged assessment. Accordingly, we hold that the principle of comity does
not bar a § 1983 claim asserting such damages.
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No. 47681-9-II
E. TORTIOUS INTERFERENCE WITH CONTRACTS AND BUSINESS EXPECTANCIES
The Carriers allege in their complaint that by reclassifying owner/operators as employees,
ESD engaged in tortious interference with their contractual relationships and business
expectancies with owner/operators.11 ESD argues that (1) the Carriers’ tortious interference
claim is barred by the exclusive remedy provision of the ESA and/or the doctrine of exhaustion
of administrative remedies; and (2) even if the claim is not barred, the Carriers did not allege the
elements of tortious interference.
We hold that (1) the exclusive remedy provision of the ESA and the doctrine of
exhaustion of administrative remedies bar the tortious interference claim to the extent that the
claim is based on an allegation that the reclassification of owner/operators as employees was
improper, but not to the extent that the claim is based on allegations that ESD had an improper
motive or used improper means in making that reclassification; and (2) the Carriers’ complaint
allegations were sufficient to state a claim for tortious interference.
1. Legal Principles
A claim of tortious interference with a contract or business expectancy requires (1) the
existence of a valid contractual relationship or business expectancy, (2) the defendant’s
knowledge of that relationship, (3) an intentional interference inducing or causing a breach or
termination of the relationship or expectancy, (4) the defendant’s interference for an improper
purpose or use of improper means, and (5) resultant damages. Pac. Nw. Shooting Park Ass'n v.
11
As discussed above, to the extent that WTA is asserting tortious interference claims on behalf
of its members, it would not have associational standing because determining tortious
interference damages would require the involvement of individual carriers.
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No. 47681-9-II
City of Sequim, 158 Wash. 2d 342, 351, 144 P.3d 276 (2006). More recently, the Supreme Court
consolidated this definition into three elements: “(1) the existence of a valid contractual
relationship of which the defendant has knowledge, (2) intentional interference with an improper
motive or by improper means that causes breach or termination of the contractual relationship,
and (3) resultant damage.” Elcon Constr., Inc. v. E. Wash. Univ., 174 Wash. 2d 157, 168, 273 P.3d
965 (2012).
An examination of improper purpose focuses on the motive for the defendant’s
interference with the contract, such as greed, retaliation, or hostility. See Elcon, 174 Wash. 2d at
169; Moore v. Commercial Aircraft Interiors, LLC, 168 Wash. App. 502, 509, 278 P.3d 197
(2012). When examining improper means, we look to the method by which a defendant
interferes with the contractual relationship, such as taking arbitrary and capricious action or
using the threat of a lawsuit to harass. See Pleas v. City of Seattle, 112 Wash. 2d 794, 805, 774
P.2d 1158 (1989); Moore, 168 Wash. App. at 509.
2. The ESA’s Exclusive Remedy Provision
RCW 50.32.180, the ESA’s exclusive remedy provision, provides:
The remedies provided in this title for determining the justness or correctness of
assessments, refunds, adjustments, or claims shall be exclusive and no court shall
entertain any action to enjoin an assessment or require a refund or adjustment
except in accordance with the provisions of this title.
The language is clear that the ESA is the exclusive remedy only for challenges made to the
“justness or correctness” of assessments, refunds, adjustments, or claims.
RCW 50.32.180 bars the Carriers’ tortious interference claims to the extent that the
claims depend on a finding that ESD’s assessments based on the reclassification of
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No. 47681-9-II
owner/operators as employees were unjust or incorrect. Under the statute’s plain language, that
determination must be made under the ESA’s appeal procedures. RCW 50.32.180 also would
bar the recovery of the amount of the assessments as tortious interference damages.
However, in this context the Carriers do not necessarily argue that the assessments were
incorrect. They argue that ESD had an improper purpose or used improper means in making the
reclassification of owner/operators that led to the assessments. The Carriers’ complaint alleged
that ESD’s improper purpose was to “target the trucking industry” in order to collect additional
taxes. CP 221 (paragraphs 34-35). In a different cause of action, the Carriers also alleged that
(1) ESD had a “malevolent purpose – to restructure Washington’s trucking industry and to
increase the State’s revenues,” CP 227 (paragraph 56), and (2) ESD’s actions “constitute a bad
faith application of Washington law and manipulation of same for an improper purpose.” CP
227 (paragraph 57). In addition, the complaint alleged that ESD used improper means –
predetermining the audit outcomes and requiring auditors to find that owner/operators were
employees.
Because RCW 50.32.180 provides that the ESA is the exclusive remedy only for
determining the justness or correctness of assessments, that statute does not apply to determining
whether ESD had an improper purpose or used improper means in imposing those assessments.12
Therefore, we hold that RCW 50.32.180 does not bar the Carriers’ tortious interference claim to
12
It could be argued that RCW 50.32.180 would apply if the Carriers were required to prove that
the assessments were incorrect in order to recover for tortious interference. The elements of
tortious interference do not expressly include proving that a defendant’s interference itself is
improper or incorrect, but Washington cases have not discussed this issue. However, we do not
address this issue because neither party raises it.
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No. 47681-9-II
the extent that the claim is based on allegations that ESD had an improper purpose or used
improper means in making the reclassification of owner/operators.
3. Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies
The doctrine of exhaustion of administrative remedies applies in cases where a claim is
originally cognizable by an agency that has clearly defined mechanisms for resolving complaints
by aggrieved parties, and the administrative remedies can provide the relief sought. Jones v.
State, 170 Wash. 2d 338, 356, 242 P.3d 825 (2010). Therefore, “if an administrative proceeding
can alleviate the harmful consequences of a governmental activity at issue, a litigant must first
pursue that remedy before the courts will intervene.” Smoke v. City of Seattle, 132 Wash. 2d 214,
223-24, 937 P.2d 186 (1997).
Administrative remedies must be exhausted if the relief sought can be obtained through
an exclusive or adequate administrative remedy. Evergreen Wash. Healthcare Frontier, LLC v.
Dep't of Soc. & Health Servs., 171 Wash. App. 431, 446, 287 P.3d 40 (2012), review denied, 176
Wash. 2d 1028 (2013). An administrative remedy may be adequate for purposes of requiring
exhaustion even if it does not provide the precise relief sought or provide complete relief. Id.
However, if there is no administrative remedy available, exhaustion is not required. Cost Mgmt.
Servs., Inc. v. City of Lakewood, 178 Wash. 2d 635, 645, 310 P.3d 804 (2013).
Here, as discussed above, the administrative process provides an adequate remedy to the
extent that the Carriers’ tortious interference claim is based on an allegation that the
reclassification of owner/operators as employees was improper, but no administrative remedy is
available to the extent that the claim is based on allegations that ESD had an improper purpose or
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No. 47681-9-II
used improper means in making that reclassification. Therefore, we hold that the exhaustion of
remedies doctrine does not bar the Carriers’ tortious interference claims to the extent that the
claims are based on allegations that ESD had an improper purpose or used improper means in
making the reclassification of owner/operators.
4. Sufficiency of Complaint Allegations
The Carriers allege in their complaint that (1) they have ongoing contractual relationships
and business expectancies with owner/operators; (2) ESD was aware of these relationships and
expectancies; (3) ESD interfered with the business relationship between the Carriers and
owner/operators and deprived the Carriers of their ability to contract with owner/operators as
independent contractors; (4) ESD interfered by reclassifying owner/operators as employees; and
(5) the Carriers suffered damages as a result.
ESD argues that even if the Carriers’ claims are not barred, their complaint failed to state
a claim because (1) Washington law establishes that owner/operators should be classified as
employees, and (2) the alleged interference must cause a breach or termination of the contractual
relationship. We disagree.
First, ESD argues that the Carriers’ claim that ESD erroneously reclassified
owner/operators as employees was rejected in Western Ports Transportation, Inc. v. Employment
Security Department, 110 Wash. App. 440, 454, 41 P.3d 510 (2002). As a result, ESD argues that
WTA and the Carriers cannot prove their tortious interference claim. However, as discussed
above, the Carriers potentially can recover for tortious interference even if ESD’s reclassification
decision was correct. Therefore, we reject this argument.
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No. 47681-9-II
Second, ESD relies on Elcon to argue that WTA and the Carriers were required to allege
that ESD’s alleged interference resulted in a breach of contract. The court in Elcon stated that a
tortious interference claim requires, as the second element, intentional interference “that causes
breach or termination of the contractual relationship.” 174 Wash. 2d at 168. This statement seems
to require that the plaintiff allege a breach or termination of a contract. WTA and the Carriers
made no such allegation.
However, in Elcon the tortious interference claim was based on the termination of an
existing contract. Id. at 162-63. Therefore, in stating its three-element test, the court only
needed to address whether a contract had been terminated and not the interference with some
business expectancy. Other than in Elcon, the Supreme Court exclusively has relied on the
longer five element test for tortious interference since it was established in Pleas v. City of
Seattle, 112 Wash. 2d 794, 800, 803-04, 774 P.2d 1158 (1989). See Pac. Nw. Shooting Park, 158
Wash. 2d 342, 351, 144 P.3d 276 (2006); Leingang v. Pierce County Med. Bureau, Inc., 131 Wash. 2d
133, 157, 930 P.2d 288 (1997); Commodore v. Univ. Mech. Contractors, Inc., 120 Wash. 2d 120,
137, 839 P.2d 314 (1992). Element three of that test requires “an intentional interference
inducing or causing a breach or termination of the relationship or expectancy.” Pac. Nw.
Shooting Park, 158 Wash. 2d at 351 (emphasis added).
In Commodore, the court explicitly stated that, “Washington . . . does not require the
existence of an enforceable contract or the breach of one to support an action for tortious
interference with a business relationship.” 120 Wash. 2d at 138. In that case, the court held that the
plaintiff had a valid tortious interference claim even though he did not allege that his contract
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No. 47681-9-II
was breached or terminated. Id. at 137-38. Given this clear law, we do not interpret Elcon as
eliminating the business expectancy aspect of the tortious interference claim.
The question here is whether the Carriers alleged breach or termination of a business
expectancy. The complaint alleges that ESD’s reclassification of owner/operators “precludes the
Carriers from contracting with independent owner/operators” and “deprived the Carriers of their
ability to choose to contract with independent owner/operators.” We hold that these allegations
are sufficient to allege the breach or termination of a business expectancy.
We hold that the Carriers’ complaint states a valid claim for tortious interference of a
contract or business expectancy.
F. ATTORNEY FEES
WTA and the Carriers request an award of attorney fees under 42 U.S.C. § 1988 and
RAP 18.1.
42 U.S.C. § 1988(b) provides that in an action to enforce a provision of § 1983, “the
court, in its discretion, may allow the prevailing party, other than the United States, a reasonable
attorney's fee as part of the costs.” RAP 18.1 permits an award of attorney fees on appeal if
applicable law permits such award.
Because § 1988 only authorizes attorney fees for the prevailing party and we remand the
§ 1983 claim for further proceedings, we decline to award attorney fees until the case is resolved.
See Sintra, Inc. v. City of Seattle, 119 Wash. 2d 1, 28-29, 829 P.2d 765 (1992).
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No. 47681-9-II
CONCLUSION
We hold that (1) WTA may have associational standing only regarding a § 1983 claim,
but here this determination cannot be made on a CR 12(b)(6) or CR 12(c) motion; (2) WTA and
the Carriers can assert a § 1983 claim despite the comity principle only to the extent that they
seek damages unrelated to the assessment amounts; (3) the Carriers can assert claims for tortious
interference with contracts or business expectancies despite the exclusive remedy provision of
RCW 50.32.180 and the failure to exhaust administrative remedies only to the extent that the
claims are based on allegations that ESD had an improper purpose or used improper means in
imposing the unemployment tax assessments and not on the incorrectness of those assessments;
and (4) the complaint allegations are sufficient to state a claim for tortious interference with
contracts or business expectancies.
We affirm in part and reverse in part, and remand for further proceedings consistent with
this opinion.
MAXA, J.
We concur:
JOHANSON, C.J.
BJORGEN, J.
32