Valentine Co. v. Commonwealth
Valentine Co. v. Commonwealth
Opinion of the Court
OPINION BY
Valentine Company, Inc. (f/k/a Nichols & Associates, Inc.), a licensed surplus lines licensee for Temple University,
The underlying facts, which are set forth more fully in the initial panel opinion, need not be restated here. For the present analysis, however, it is sufficient to note that Valentine, apparently acting as a broker, arranged for Lexington Insurance Company, a non-admitted surplus lines insurer, to issue a policy to Temple for the period July 1, 2004, through July 1, 2005.
First, starting with the general principle that the Commonwealth and its agencies are generally immune from taxation absent an express intent to the contrary, Valentine reiterates its argument that Temple is immune from tax because the Temple University-Commonwealth Act
Valentine also suggests that, while the Legislature has amended the Surplus Lines Act three times since the Department of Revenue first confirmed its immunity in 1989, it has not amended the Act to expressly revoke its immunity. According to Valentine, if the Department’s interpretation of the statute were contrary to legislative intent, the legislature would have amended the Act to clarify its application. In this regard, Valentine relies on Northeastern Building Registered v. Commonwealth, 41 Pa.Cmwlth. 403, 399 A.2d 449, 452 (1979) [stating, that “when the legislature, in subsequent legislation, chooses to use the same disputed language as it had used in previous legislation, and where, as here, that language has been interpreted by the Attorney General, an administrative agency and by a court, the legislature may be presumed to have adopted those interpretations.”] (citations omitted). We reject this argument for several reasons.
The 1989 written confirmation of immunity that Valentine relies on is a letter written by Charles Fisher, an employee in the Department’s Specialty Taxes Unit, to Johnson & Higgans, Temple’s former insurance broker. In that letter, Fisher interprets a 1966 opinion of the
Valentine next reiterates its argument that until the Department obtains a declaratory judgment from this court pursuant to Section 204(a)(2) of the Commonwealth Attorneys Act,
Finally, for the reasons stated in our initial opinion, we reject Valentine’s contention that any change to Temple’s tax status should occur only after a final determination by this Court.
Based upon the foregoing, Valentine’s exceptions are denied.
ORDER
AND NOW, this 15th day of January, 2010, Valentine Company’s exceptions to
. Specifically, Temple University of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education and a number of its affiliates, including Temple University Hospital, Inc. and Temple University Children's Medical Center (collectively referred to as Temple).
. See Valentine Co., Inc. v. Commonwealth, 973 A.2d 1101 (Pa.Cmwlth. 2009).
. Act of May 17, 1921, P.L. 682, as amended, added by the Act of December 18, 1992, P.L. 1519, 40 P.S. §§ 991.1601-1625.
.A surplus lines carrier is an insurer dial is not licensed to do business in Pennsylvania (also known as a non-admitted insurer) but has been designated by the insurance commissioner to provide insurance to Pennsylvanians, which they would not otherwise be able to procure from a licensed or admitted insurer. Valentine. The policies here provided professional liability insurance for die provision of healthcare services. According to Valentine, medical malpractice liability insurance is a line of coverage that is not available through carriers licensed in Pennsylvania.
.The Surplus Lines Act provides that the "surplus lines licensee shall collect from the insured or the producing broker the amount of the tax at the time of delivery of the initial policy....” Section 1621(c), 40 P.S. § 991.1621(c). Valentine believed the premiums were not subject to tax. See Valentine, 973 A.2d at 1104 n. 4.
. Act of November 30, 1965, P.L. 843, 24 P.S. §§ 2510-1-2510-12.
. 24 P.S. § 2510-2 (emphasis added).
. The 1966 Attorney General's opinion interpreted the Act of January 24, 1966, P.L. (1965) 1509, repealed by the Act of December 18, 1992, P.L. 1519. In that opinion, the Attorney General concluded that incorporated charitable, religious, and educational institutions were subject to the tax, while unincorporated charitable, religious and educational institutions, municipalities and authorities were exempt. The Attorney General’s opinion rested on the former act’s definition of "person” as well as the general principle that political subdivisions such as counties, municipalities and authorities, are presumed to be exempt from taxation absent an express intent to the contrary. See Stipulation of Facts, Exhibit G.
. In 1993, a taxing officer in the Department's Bureau of Corporation of Taxes issued a similar opinion in revising Temple's resettlement. Id.., Exhibit I.
.Act of October 15, 1980, P.L. 950. Section 204(a)(2) provides:
If the Governor or the head of any Commonwealth agency disagrees with the legal advice rendered by the Attorney General, the Governor or the head of the Commonwealth agency may seek a declaratory judgment in the Commonwealth Court pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 75 Subch. C (relating to declaratory judgments). The legal advice of the Attorney General shall be binding until the Commonwealth Court issues a final order on the petition requesting the declaratory judgment.
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