State of Tennessee ex rel. David Jonathan Tulis v. David Gerregano, Commissioner of Revenue, et al.

Appellant stopped paying the premium on an automobile insurance policy covering his minivan. After receiving notices prescribed by statute, the Department of Revenue revoked the vehicle’s registration. Appellant requested a contested case hearing before that department. While the contested case remained pending, Appellant filed suit in chancery court against the Commissioner of Revenue and the Commissioner of Safety and Homeland Security in their official capacities, alleging that the two departments had gone beyond their statutory authority in administering the Tennessee Financial Responsibility Law and its electronic insurance verification program. Appellant sought declaratory and injunctive relief, the reorganization of both departments under a special master, and more than $369,000 in legal fees. The trial court dismissed the amended complaint for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, concluding that sovereign immunity barred the suit because Appellant had not satisfied the requirement of the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act. Discerning no error, we affirm.