MARYLAND STADIUM AUTHORITY; Univеrsity System Of Maryland, Plaintiffs-Appellants,
v.
ELLERBE BECKET INCORPORATED, a Delaware Corporation, Defendant-Appellee.
Maryland Stadium Authority; University System Of Maryland, Plaintiffs-Appellants,
v.
Ellerbe Becket Incorporated, a Delaware Corporation, Defendant-Appellee.
No. 04-1743.
No. 04-2083.
United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit.
Argued: March 16, 2005.
Decided: May 11, 2005.
ARGUED: Joel Henry Oleinik, Assistant Attorney General, OFFICE OF THE Attorney General of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, for Appellants. Christopher Rowe Mellott, Venable, L.L.P., Baltimore, Maryland, for Appellee. ON BRIEF: J. Joseph Curran, Jr., Attorney General of Maryland, Jennifer L. Forrence, Assistant Attorney General, Baltimore, Maryland, for Appellants. Randolph Stuart Sergent, Venable, L.L.P., Baltimore, Maryland, for Appellee.
Before LUTTIG, WILLIAMS, and GREGORY, Circuit Judges.
Reversed and remanded with instructions by published opinion. Judge WILLIAMS wrote the opinion, in which Judge LUTTIG and Judge GREGORY joined.
OPINION
WILLIAMS, Circuit Judge:
The Maryland Stadium Authority (Stadium Authority) and the University System of Maryland (the University) filed a law suit against Ellerbe Becket, Inc., an architectural and engineering firm, in Maryland state court alleging state law claims for breach of contract, negligence, and indemnification. The claims arose from Ellerbe Becket's provision of architectural and engineering services for the construction of a new basketball arena at the University of Maryland, College Park. Ellerbe Becket timely removed the case to federal court, and before us is the Stadium Authority and the University's interlocutory appeal of the district court's denial of their motion to remand.1 We conclude that the district court lacked removal jurisdiction because the University is an alter ego of Maryland and, therefore, is not a "citizen" for purposes of diversity jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C.A. § 1332 (West 1993 & Supp.2004). Accordingly, we reverse and remand the case to the district court with instructions to remand the case to state court.
I.
The University System of Maryland
Because the question of whether an entity is an alter ego of thе state is a highly fact-intensive undertaking, we go into some detail regarding the University's structure and operations. The University was established "to foster the development of a consolidated system of public higher education, to improve the quality of education, to extend its benefits and to encourage the economical use of the State's resources." Md.Code Ann., Educ. § 12-101(a) (Supp.2004). It is a body corporate and politic, defined as "an instrumentality of the State and a public corporation." Md.Code Ann., Educ. § 12-102(a)(2) (2004). The University is an independent unit of State government performing an essential public function. Md.Code Ann., Educ. § 12-102(a)(3),(4). The University is composed of numerous campuses located throughout the state. These include: the University of Maryland, Baltimore; University of Maryland, Baltimore County; University of Maryland, College Park; University of Maryland Eastern Shore; University of Maryland University College; Bowie State University; Coppin State University; Frostburg State University; Salisbury University; Towson University; and University of Baltimore. Md.Code Ann., Educ. § 12-101(b)(4)(i)-(xi) (Supp.2004).
The University's governance is entrusted to a Board of Regents (the Board), which is composed of seventeen members, all but one of whom are directly appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Maryland Senate. Md.Code Ann., Educ. § 12-102(e) (2004). The Secretary of Agriculture is designated, by statute, as the other member.2 Md.Code Ann., Educ. § 12-102(c)(2) (2004). Persons appointed to the Board serve five year terms. Md.Code Ann., Educ. § 12-102(f) (2004). The University can, through the Board, exercise a broad range of powers. The University can: sue and be sued, enter into contracts, borrow money to purchase personal property, and exercise the powers of Maryland corporations. Md.Code Ann., Educ. §§ 12-104(b)(1)-(7) (Supp.2004). Any contract for services or capital improvements over $500,000 must be apрroved by the Board of Public Works (BPW).3 Md.Code Ann., State Fin. & Proc. § 11-203(e)(3)(ii)(1) (Supp.2004). The University may, subject to the approval of the Governor and General Assembly, create new institutions or merge or close existing institutions. Md.Code Ann., Educ. § 12-104(f) (Supp.2004). The University may, subject to the approval of the BPW, sell and purchase real property. Md.Code Ann., Educ. § 12-104(g),(h) (Supp.2004). The University is also empowered to issue revenue bonds, Md.Code Ann., Educ. § 19-102(a)(2) (Supp.2004), subject to the Legislature's prior approval of both the project that the bonds will finance and the "[m]aximum principal amount of bonds" to be issued. Md.Code Ann., Educ. § 19-102(d)(1)(ii) (Supp.2004).
The Board is respоnsible for proposing budgets for the University, and for requesting appropriations from the General Assembly. Md.Code Ann., Educ. § 12-105(a)(1) (2004). The University may borrow money without creating a debt obligation for the State. Md.Code Ann., Educ. § 12-105(c) (2004). However, the title of any real property obtained by the University is in the name of the State, and "[a]ll property of the University is the property of the State." Md.Code Ann., Educ. § 12-105(b)(2) (2004). The University submits "requests for appropriations" each fiscal year. Md.Code Ann., Educ. § 12-105(a)(1)(iii) (2004). These requests are "recommendations" and are not binding upon the Legislature. Md.Code Ann., Educ. § 12-105(a)(2)(ii) (2004). In 2002, approximately 36% of the Univеrsity's revenue was received from the state, with around 30% of the University's revenue coming in the form of a state appropriation. About 47% of the University's revenue came from non-governmental sources.
All of the University's income is either deposited "[i]n the State Treasury" or "[a]s the State Treasurer directs." Md. Code Ann., Educ. § 12-105(d)(i),(ii) (2004). The University may spend revenues in excess of those estimated in a fiscal year, but only "[b]y an approved budget amendment." Md.Code Ann., Educ. § 12-105(d)(2) (2004). Unexpended and unencumbered balances held by the University at the close of a fiscal year do not revert to the general state trеasury. Md.Code Ann., Educ. § 12-105(d)(3) (2004). Such balances must, however, "be reported to the Comptroller at the end of the fiscal year" and may be expended "through an appropriation contained in a budget bill or through an approved budget amendment." Id.
The University is not subject to the State Personnel Management System or the State Finance and Procurement Article. Md.Code Ann., Educ. §§ 12-111, 12 (2004). It is charged with implementing its own procurement policies and receiving approval for those policies from both the BPW and the Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review Committee in the Maryland Legislature. Md.Codе Ann., State Fin. & Proc. § 11-203(e)(3)(ii)(1). The BPW and Legislature may inquire into any aspect of the University's activities at any time, Md.Code Ann., Educ. § 12-105(e) (2004), and the Legislative Auditor is responsible for auditing the University's finances each fiscal year. Md.Code Ann., Educ. § 12-105(f) (2004).
Under state law, tort claims made against the University are covered under the Maryland Tort Claims Act, with the reservation that "[n]othing in this subsection shall be construed to waive or abrogate the immunity of the University System of Maryland under the Eleventh Amendment to the United States Constitution." Md.Code Ann., Educ. § 12-104(i)(4) (Supp.2004). The University's state sovereign immunity is waived to the extent of "any applicable liability insurance purchased by the University or the State Treasurer." Md.Code Ann., Educ. § 12-104(i)(2) (Supp.2004).
The Comcast Arena Project
The current litigation stems from the construction of the Comcast Arena, a new basketball arena for the Terrapins of the University of Maryland, College Park. The total projected cost for the arena was $126,845,000. The Legislature issued a mandate that the Stadium Authority4 should "manage the preparation of the detailed plans" for constructing the new arena. 1998 Md. Laws 138. In accordance with that mandate, the Stadium Authority entered into a contract with Ellerbe Becket to provide "all necessary and customary arсhitectural and engineering services" required in constructing the arena. (J.A. at 35.) The University alleges that a design defect discovered during construction required it to expend $1,800,000.
Procedural History
On November 3, 1999, the Stadium Authority and the University filed a complaint in their own names against Ellerbe Becket in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City alleging claims for negligence, breach of contract, and indemnification. The parties were represented, not by private counsel, but by the Maryland Attorney General's office. Ellerbe Becket removed the case to federal court on the basis of diversity of citizenship,5 and it filed а counterclaim against the Stadium Authority for fees it alleged it was owed under the contract. No counterclaim was filed against the University.
On January 5, 2004, the Stadium Authority moved to dismiss the counterclaim under the Eleventh Amendment, and both the Stadium Authority and the University moved to remand the case to the state court. Both alleged that they were "alter egos" or "arms" of the State of Maryland and, accordingly, were not "citizens" for the purpose of § 1332. Because diversity jurisdiction was lacking, both argued, the case should be remanded to state court.
The district court noted that "the questions presented [were] close ones as to which there [we]re reasonable arguments on both sides," but it denied the motion to dismiss the counterclaim and the motion to remand, concluding that neither the University nor the Stadium Authority were arms or alter egos of Maryland. (J.A. at 284.) To reach this conclusion, the district court determined that both the University and Stadium Authority possessed a great deal of fiscal and operational autonomy. The district court recognized that both entities were engaged in statewide, as opposed to local, activities, and that state law generally treated both as arms of the state. On balance, however, the district court concluded that the entities' respective autonomy indicated that neither was properly characterized as an arm of the state. With respect to the University, the district court was particularly persuaded by the fact that many of the University's employees received a salary in excess of other State officials, including the Governor of Maryland.6 The Stadium Authority, under the collateral order doctrine, immediately appealed the ruling on the Eleventh Amendment. See P.R. Aqueduct & Sewer Auth. v. Metcalf & Eddy, Inc.,
II.
A.
On appeal, both the Stadium Authority and the University argue that they are not "citizens" of Maryland under § 1332 and, accordingly, no diversity jurisdiction exists in this case to support removal jurisdiction.7 We review questions of subject matter jurisdiction de novo, "including those relating to the propriety of removal." Mayes v. Rapoport,
Section 1441 of Title 28 provides that "any civil action brought in a State court of which the district courts of the United States have original jurisdiction, may be removed by the defendant or the defendants, to the district court of the United States for the district and division embracing the place where suсh action is pending." 28 U.S.C.A. § 1441(a) (West 1994). Ellerbe Becket premised its removal upon § 1332(a)(1), which provides for original district court jurisdiction of all cases between citizens of different states when the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000. States, however, are not "citizens of a state" for purposes of § 1332(a). Moor v. Alameda County,
B.
In determining if a public entity is an alter ego of the state, and therefore not a "citizen" under § 1332, courts have generally looked to the standards announced in cases addressing whether governmental entities are entitled to Eleventh Amendment immunity as an arm of the state.8 See, e.g., Univ. of S. Ala. v. Am. Tobacco Co.,
Typically, we apply a four factor test, first announced in Ram Ditta v. Md. Nat'l Capital Park & Planning Comm'n,
Under the framework provided by Ram Ditta, in determining an entity's status as an arm of the state, "the most important consideration is whether the state treasury will be responsible for paying any judgment that might be awarded." Id. at 457; see also Cash v. Granville County Bd. of Educ.,
We analyze the second Ram Ditta factor, the operational autonomy of the entity, by considering whether the state retains a veto over the entity's actions, the origins of the entity's funding, and who appoints the entity's directors. See Ristow v. S.C. Ports Auth.,
One slight modification of Ram Ditta is necessary in the context of this case. The University is the plaintiff in this action and no claims are asserted against it. There is no possibility that, even if the University is an alter еgo of the state, Maryland will be responsible for paying a judgment in this case. Thus, while the impact of the litigation on the state treasury remains the most salient factor in determining whether the University is an alter ego of the state for purposes of § 1332, the inquiry is reversed: that is, while we usually look to whether the state will be liable for a judgment against the entity in question, in cases in which a state entity is plaintiff, we will look to whether any recovery by the entity will inure to the benefit of the state. The Supreme Court has explicitly endorsed this approach in a case involving diversity and removal jurisdiction:
applying the same principles of construction to the removal acts [as to the Eleventh Amendment] and to cases in which it is claimed that the state, though not the nominal, is in fact the real, party plaintiff, it may fairly be held that the state is such real party when the relief sought is that which inures to it alone, and in its favor the judgment or decree, if for the plaintiff, will effectively operate.
Mo., Kan., & Tex. Ry. Co. v. Hickman,
III.
For the reasons that follow, we hold that the University is an alter ego of Maryland. Numerous courts have decided whether publiс state universities are "arms of the state." Almost universally, the answer has been in the affirmative. See, e.g., Takle v. Univ. of Wis. Hosp. & Clinics Auth.,
In some circuits, the issue was not even disputed. For instance, in University of South Alabama, the Eleventh Circuit succinctly noted, "[i]n the context of Eleventh Amendment immunity, we have held that state universities are `agencies or instrumentalities' of the state, and thus are immune from suit in federal court." Univ. of S. Ala.,
We, too, have previously treаted several public universities as arms of the state. See Litman v. George Mason Univ.,
First, and most importantly, the State of Maryland would directly benefit from any recovery by the University in this case. Quite simply, by statute all income generated by the University is deposited into the state treasury or as directed by the statе treasurer and all property of the University is property of the state. See Md.Code Ann., Educ. § 12-105. It is true that, if the University takes in revenue beyond that expected for a fiscal year, that money does not automatically revert to the general state treasury at the close of the year. That excess revenue, however, must be reported to the Comptroller and is then available for use as an appropriation in the following year's budget. In other words, if the University has excess revenue at the end of a fiscal year, that excess revenue is used to offset the University's apprоpriations the following year.
Ellerbe Becket argues that, because this excess revenue does not automatically revert to the general state treasury, the state would not directly benefit from a recovery by the University. In the Eleventh Amendment context, the Fifth Circuit, in addressing a similar statutory framework, explained that the "crucial question . . . is whether use of these unappropriated funds to pay a damage award. . . would interfere with the fiscal autonomy and political sovereignty of [the state]." United Carolina Bank v. Bd. of Regents,
In sum, we believe that the most important factor, whether the state would directly benefit from any recovery by the University, indicates that the University is an alter ego of the state. Moreover, we conclude that, on balance, the remaining Ram Ditta factors also weigh in favor of finding that the University is an alter ego of Maryland.
Although the University retains some operational independence in its day to day activities, it is still closely tied to the state. All of the members of the University's governing body, the Board, are either appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Maryland Senate or are state officers. The fact that all of the University's decisionmakers are appointed by the Governor is a key indicator of state control. See Lewis v. Midwestern State Univ.,
In addition, the State retains a veto over most of the University's actions. The University can purchase and sell real property and enter into contracts over $500,000 only with prior approval from either the Legislature or the BPW. The State retains oversight ability over every aspect of the University, and the University is subject to an annual audit by the Legislative Auditor. See Hall,
While the University can issue revenue bonds, it may do so only after receiving legislative approval, and it lacks the power to tax. "The absence of the power tо tax is a strong indication that an entity is more like an arm of the state than like a county or city, because that enablement gives an entity an important kind of independence." Kashani,
In contrast, the First Circuit, when concluding the University of Rhode Island was not an arm of Rhode Island, found rеlevant that the University held full legal title to all real and personal property, could enter into contracts without limitation, and kept all of its funds in segregated accounts for discretionary disbursement absent any state control. A.W. Chesterton,
The final two Ram Ditta factors also favor a finding that the University is an alter ego of Maryland. It is undisputed that the University is engaged in an area of statewide concern — educating the youth of Maryland. The University has branch campuses located across the state, from Frostburg State in the Cumberlаnd Valley to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Higher education is an area of quintessential state concern and a traditional state governmental function. See Hutsell,
Moreover, state law unambiguously treats the University as an alter ego of Maryland. Although the question of whether an entity is an alter ego of the state is a question of federal, not state, law, the manner in which state law addresses the entity remains "important, and potentially controlling." Hall,
In sum, we believe that the University is an alter ego of Maryland. As discussed, Maryland would directly benefit from any judgment rendered in favor of the University. This factor is the "most important" in determining if an entity is an alter ego of the state. Ram Ditta,
IV.
Because the district court did not have original jurisdiction of this action under § 1332, it should have remanded the case to state court. Accordingly, we reverse and remand this case to the district court with instructions to remand the case to Maryland state court.
REVERSED AND REMANDED WITH INSTRUCTIONS
Notes:
Notes
Also before this court is an interlocutory appeal from the Stadium Authority, alleging that the district court erred in denying its motion to dismiss a counterclaim filed by Ellerbe Becket on the ground of Eleventh Amendment immunity. Because we find that no diversity jurisdiction exists in this case, we do not need to reach this question
The Governor aрpoints an individual to the position of Secretary of Agriculture with the advice and consent of the Senate. Md.Code Ann., Agriculture § 2-102(a) (1999)
The Board of Public Works is composed of the Governor, the Comptroller, and the Treasurer. Md. Const. Art. III § 1. The Governor and Comptroller are elected positions, while the Treasurer is appointed by the General Assembly
The Stadium Authority was created in order to facilitate the development of sports stadiums and performing arts centers in Maryland. The Stadium Authority is a "body corporate and politic" under Maryland law, as well as an "instrumentality of the Statе and a public corporation." Md.Code Ann., Fin. Inst. §§ 13-702(a),(b) (2003). Under the statute authorizing its creation, the Stadium Authority is described as "an independent unit in the Executive Branch of State government." § 13-702(c). The Stadium Authority's duties represent the "performance of an essential public function." § 13-702(d)
Ellerbe Becket is a Delaware corporation; it alleged that the University and Stadium Authority are citizens of Maryland
The Governor receives an annual salary of $140,000. The district court found that the University paid 43 employees more than $250,000 in annual salary. In addition, the district court found that the head basketball and football сoaches at the University of Maryland at College Park received a minimum yearly salary of $1,300,000 and $1,100,000 respectively
Because we conclude that the University is not a citizen of Maryland under 28 U.S.C.A. § 1332 (West 1993 & Supp.2004), we do not address the Stadium Authority's status
The Eleventh Amendment provides, "[t]he Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State." U.S. Const. amend. XI. Eleventh Amendment immunity extends to state agencies and other governmental entitiеs that can be viewed as "arm[s] of the State."P.R. Aqueduct & Sewer Auth. v. Metcalf & Eddy, Inc.,
The factors inRam Ditta were crafted from the Supreme Court's opinion in Lake Country Estates, Inc. v. Tahoe Reg'l Planning Agency,
The Supreme Court has noted that "[g]auging actual control . . . can be a `perilous inquiry,' `an uncertain and unreliable exercise.'"Hess v. Port-Auth. Trans-Hudson Corp.,
In the Eleventh Amendment context, this four-factor test has recently undergone a modification. The primacy of the state treasury factor underRam Ditta served as a recognition that the Eleventh Amendment is concerned with a state's monetary liability in lawsuits. See Pennhurst State Sch. & Hosp. v. Halderman,
Kovats v. Rutgers,