In Re the Claim Against the Grain Buyer's Bond of Mischel Grain & Seed, Warren, MN, Bond 92770608627589

OPINION

HUSPENI, Judge. *

Relator challenges the Commissioner of Agriculture’s decision approving and adopting the ALJ’s recommendation and ordering relator to pay the maximum liability amount of a grain-buyer’s bond. Because we conclude that the commissioner erred as a matter of law in deciding that all of the grain seller’s claims were timely filed and covered by the bond, we reverse.

FACTS

Misehel Grain and Seed Company (Mis-chel) was a licensed grain buyer through June 30, 1996, and carried a $30,000 grain-buyer’s bond issued by relator Auto-Owners Insurance Company (Auto-Owners). Although…