An agency action is considered arbitrary and capricious if it is which of the following?

An agency action is considered arbitrary and capricious if it is which of the following?

• A. Taken without sound basis in reason or regard to the facts
• B. Fully supported by evidence
• C. Credible and well-documented
• D. Consistent with the statute

Answer: (A)

Arbitrary and capricious means the agency’s decision wasn’t grounded in a rational connection to the facts or the governing law. The agency must base its action on a sound reasoning process that takes account of the relevant data in the record and explains how that data supports the outcome. If important factors are ignored, irrelevant factors are relied on, or the agency offers no coherent explanation tying the record to its decision, the action can be deemed arbitrary and capricious. That’s why the description taken without sound basis in reason or regard to the facts is the right fit. It captures the essence of a decision made without a rational connection to what’s known or required by law. The other descriptions describe actions that would show proper, defensible decision-making: being fully supported by evidence, being credible and well-documented, or being consistent with the statute all indicate a reasoned, lawful choice.

Arbitrary and capricious means the agency’s decision wasn’t grounded in a rational connection to the facts or the governing law. The agency must base its action on a sound reasoning process that takes account of the relevant data in the record and explains how that data supports the outcome. If important factors are ignored, irrelevant factors are relied on, or the agency offers no coherent explanation tying the record to its decision, the action can be deemed arbitrary and capricious.

That’s why the description taken without sound basis in reason or regard to the facts is the right fit. It captures the essence of a decision made without a rational connection to what’s known or required by law. The other descriptions describe actions that would show proper, defensible decision-making: being fully supported by evidence, being credible and well-documented, or being consistent with the statute all indicate a reasoned, lawful choice.