diff --git a/__tests__/issueCommentTest/approveMilestoneErrorPaths.test.ts b/__tests__/issueCommentTest/approveMilestoneErrorPaths.test.ts
index 7bcc285..482405e 100644
--- a/__tests__/issueCommentTest/approveMilestoneErrorPaths.test.ts
+++ b/__tests__/issueCommentTest/approveMilestoneErrorPaths.test.ts
@@ -11,8 +11,8 @@ import issueCommentEvent from '../fixtures/issues/issueCommentEvent.json'
 import pullReqListReviews from '../fixtures/pullReq/pullReqListReviews.json'
 import * as utils from '../testUtils'
 
-// the auth helpers swallow HTTP failures themselves, so the handlers' own
-// "could not check auth" branches are only reachable when the helper rejects
+// the auth helpers are stubbed so each error path can be reached
+// without routing the membership, collaborator and comment probes
 vi.mock('../../src/utils/auth', { spy: true })
 
 const server = setupServer()
@@ -99,12 +99,4 @@ describe('/milestone error paths', () => {
       /missing issue number/,
     )
   })
-
-  it('wraps a failed collaborator check', async () => {
-    vi.mocked(auth.checkCollaborator).mockRejectedValueOnce(new Error('auth exploded'))
-
-    await expect(milestone(comment('/milestone v1'))).rejects.toThrow(
-      /could not check commenter auth: Error: auth exploded/,
-    )
-  })
 })
diff --git a/__tests__/issueCommentTest/errorPaths.test.ts b/__tests__/issueCommentTest/errorPaths.test.ts
index 1991f33..41baf14 100644
--- a/__tests__/issueCommentTest/errorPaths.test.ts
+++ b/__tests__/issueCommentTest/errorPaths.test.ts
@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@ import * as auth from '../../src/utils/auth'
 import issueCommentEvent from '../fixtures/issues/issueCommentEvent.json'
 import * as utils from '../testUtils'
 
-// the auth helpers swallow HTTP failures themselves, so the handlers' own
-// "could not check auth" branches are only reachable when the helper rejects
+// the auth helpers are stubbed so each error path can be reached
+// without routing the membership, collaborator and comment probes
 vi.mock('../../src/utils/auth', { spy: true })
 
 const server = setupServer()
@@ -30,7 +30,6 @@ const issue = `${utils.api}/repos/Codertocat/Hello-World/issues/1`
 const pull = `${utils.api}/repos/Codertocat/Hello-World/pulls/1`
 const forbidden = { message: 'Resource not accessible by integration' }
 const author = issueCommentEvent.issue.user.login
-const stranger = 'not-the-author'
 
 function comment(body: string, commenter = author) {
   const payload = structuredClone(issueCommentEvent)
@@ -67,14 +66,6 @@ describe('/assign error paths', () => {
     await expect(assign(comment('/assign'))).rejects.toThrow(/could not self assign/)
   })
 
-  it('wraps a failed authorization lookup', async () => {
-    vi.mocked(auth.getOrgCollabCommentUsers).mockRejectedValueOnce(new Error('lookup exploded'))
-
-    await expect(assign(comment('/assign @some-user'))).rejects.toThrow(
-      /could not get authorized users: Error: lookup exploded/,
-    )
-  })
-
   it('wraps a failed assignment of authorized users', async () => {
     vi.mocked(auth.getOrgCollabCommentUsers).mockResolvedValueOnce(['some-user'])
     failing('post', `${issue}/assignees`)
@@ -96,14 +87,6 @@ describe('/unassign error paths', () => {
     await expect(unassign(comment('/unassign'))).rejects.toThrow(/could not remove assignee/)
   })
 
-  it('wraps a failed commenter authorization check', async () => {
-    vi.mocked(auth.checkCommenterAuth).mockRejectedValueOnce(new Error('auth exploded'))
-
-    await expect(unassign(comment('/unassign @some-user'))).rejects.toThrow(
-      /Error: auth exploded/,
-    )
-  })
-
   it('wraps a failed unassignment of another user', async () => {
     vi.mocked(auth.checkCommenterAuth).mockResolvedValueOnce(true)
     failing('delete', `${issue}/assignees`)
@@ -126,14 +109,6 @@ describe('/cc error paths', () => {
     await expect(cc(comment('/cc'))).rejects.toThrow(/could not self cc/)
   })
 
-  it('wraps a failed authorization lookup', async () => {
-    vi.mocked(auth.getOrgCollabCommentUsers).mockRejectedValueOnce(new Error('lookup exploded'))
-
-    await expect(cc(comment('/cc @some-user'))).rejects.toThrow(
-      /could not get authorized users: Error: lookup exploded/,
-    )
-  })
-
   it('wraps a failed review request for authorized users', async () => {
     vi.mocked(auth.getOrgCollabCommentUsers).mockResolvedValueOnce(['some-user'])
     failing('post', `${pull}/requested_reviewers`)
@@ -153,14 +128,6 @@ describe('/uncc error paths', () => {
 
     await expect(uncc(comment('/uncc'))).rejects.toThrow(/could not self uncc/)
   })
-
-  it('wraps a failed commenter authorization check', async () => {
-    vi.mocked(auth.checkCommenterAuth).mockRejectedValueOnce(new Error('auth exploded'))
-
-    await expect(uncc(comment('/uncc @some-user'))).rejects.toThrow(
-      /could not get authorized users: Error: auth exploded/,
-    )
-  })
 })
 
 describe('/reopen error paths', () => {
@@ -170,14 +137,6 @@ describe('/reopen error paths', () => {
     )
   })
 
-  it('wraps a failed collaborator check for a non-author', async () => {
-    vi.mocked(auth.checkCollaborator).mockRejectedValueOnce(new Error('auth exploded'))
-
-    await expect(reopen(comment('/reopen', stranger))).rejects.toThrow(
-      /could not check commentor auth: Error: auth exploded/,
-    )
-  })
-
   it('wraps a failed reopen', async () => {
     failing('patch', issue)
 
@@ -192,14 +151,6 @@ describe('/close error paths', () => {
     )
   })
 
-  it('wraps a failed collaborator check for a non-author', async () => {
-    vi.mocked(auth.checkCollaborator).mockRejectedValueOnce(new Error('auth exploded'))
-
-    await expect(close(comment('/close', stranger))).rejects.toThrow(
-      /could not check commentor auth: Error: auth exploded/,
-    )
-  })
-
   it('wraps a failed close', async () => {
     failing('patch', issue)
 
@@ -214,14 +165,6 @@ describe('/retitle error paths', () => {
     )
   })
 
-  it('wraps a failed collaborator check', async () => {
-    vi.mocked(auth.checkCollaborator).mockRejectedValueOnce(new Error('auth exploded'))
-
-    await expect(retitle(comment('/retitle new title'))).rejects.toThrow(
-      /could not check Commentor auth: Error: auth exploded/,
-    )
-  })
-
   it('wraps a failed title update', async () => {
     vi.mocked(auth.checkCollaborator).mockResolvedValueOnce(true)
     failing('patch', issue)
@@ -237,14 +180,6 @@ describe('/lock error paths', () => {
     await expect(lock(commentWithoutIssue('/lock'))).rejects.toThrow(/missing issue number/)
   })
 
-  it('wraps a failed collaborator check', async () => {
-    vi.mocked(auth.checkCollaborator).mockRejectedValueOnce(new Error('auth exploded'))
-
-    await expect(lock(comment('/lock'))).rejects.toThrow(
-      /could not check commenter auth: Error: auth exploded/,
-    )
-  })
-
   it('wraps a failed lock', async () => {
     vi.mocked(auth.checkCollaborator).mockResolvedValueOnce(true)
     failing('put', `${issue}/lock`)
diff --git a/__tests__/label/errorPaths.test.ts b/__tests__/label/errorPaths.test.ts
index 91a7b9e..8627874 100644
--- a/__tests__/label/errorPaths.test.ts
+++ b/__tests__/label/errorPaths.test.ts
@@ -14,8 +14,8 @@ import issueCommentEvent from '../fixtures/issues/issueCommentEvent.json'
 import labelFileContents from '../fixtures/labels/labelFileContentsResp.json'
 import * as utils from '../testUtils'
 
-// checkCollaborator swallows HTTP failures itself, so /remove's own
-// "could not check commenter auth" branch is only reachable when it rejects
+// checkCollaborator is stubbed so /remove's own error paths can be
+// reached without routing the collaborator probe
 vi.mock('../../src/utils/auth', { spy: true })
 
 const server = setupServer()
@@ -63,14 +63,6 @@ describe('/remove error paths', () => {
     )
   })
 
-  it('wraps a failed commenter authorization check', async () => {
-    vi.mocked(auth.checkCollaborator).mockRejectedValueOnce(new Error('auth exploded'))
-
-    await expect(remove(comment('/remove some-label'))).rejects.toThrow(
-      /could not check commenter auth: Error: auth exploded/,
-    )
-  })
-
   it('wraps a failed label lookup', async () => {
     vi.mocked(auth.checkCollaborator).mockResolvedValueOnce(true)
     issueLookupFails()
diff --git a/__tests__/utils/auth.test.ts b/__tests__/utils/auth.test.ts
index 82d60fe..3f5dfc1 100644
--- a/__tests__/utils/auth.test.ts
+++ b/__tests__/utils/auth.test.ts
@@ -253,44 +253,6 @@ describe('checkCommenterAuth', () => {
 
     await expect(checkCommenterAuth(octokit, context, 1, 'some-user')).resolves.toBe(true)
   })
-
-  // Each helper swallows API errors and logs them, so the only way an error
-  // escapes into checkCommenterAuth's own catch blocks is the logger throwing.
-  it('wraps an error escaping the org membership check', async () => {
-    vi.spyOn(core, 'warning').mockImplementation(() => {
-      throw new Error('logger down')
-    })
-    vi.spyOn(octokit.orgs, 'checkMembershipForUser').mockRejectedValueOnce({ status: 500 })
-
-    await expect(checkCommenterAuth(octokit, context, 1, 'some-user')).rejects.toThrow(
-      'error in checking org member: Error: logger down',
-    )
-  })
-
-  it('wraps an error escaping the collaborator check', async () => {
-    vi.spyOn(core, 'warning').mockImplementation(() => {
-      throw new Error('logger down')
-    })
-    vi.spyOn(octokit.orgs, 'checkMembershipForUser').mockRejectedValueOnce({ status: 404 })
-    vi.spyOn(octokit.repos, 'checkCollaborator').mockRejectedValueOnce({ status: 500 })
-
-    await expect(checkCommenterAuth(octokit, context, 1, 'some-user')).rejects.toThrow(
-      'could not check collaborator: Error: logger down',
-    )
-  })
-
-  it('wraps an error escaping the issue comments check', async () => {
-    vi.spyOn(core, 'warning').mockImplementation(() => {
-      throw new Error('logger down')
-    })
-    vi.spyOn(octokit.orgs, 'checkMembershipForUser').mockRejectedValueOnce({ status: 404 })
-    vi.spyOn(octokit.repos, 'checkCollaborator').mockRejectedValueOnce({ status: 404 })
-    vi.spyOn(octokit.issues, 'listComments').mockRejectedValueOnce({ status: 500 })
-
-    await expect(checkCommenterAuth(octokit, context, 1, 'some-user')).rejects.toThrow(
-      'could not check issue comments: Error: logger down',
-    )
-  })
 })
 
 describe('getOrgCollabCommentUsers', () => {
@@ -322,17 +284,6 @@ describe('getOrgCollabCommentUsers', () => {
       getOrgCollabCommentUsers(octokit, context, 1, ['some-user', 'nobody']),
     ).resolves.toEqual(['some-user'])
   })
-
-  it('wraps an error escaping any of the checks', async () => {
-    vi.spyOn(core, 'warning').mockImplementation(() => {
-      throw new Error('logger down')
-    })
-    vi.spyOn(octokit.orgs, 'checkMembershipForUser').mockRejectedValueOnce({ status: 500 })
-
-    await expect(
-      getOrgCollabCommentUsers(octokit, context, 1, ['some-user']),
-    ).rejects.toThrow('could not get authorized user: Error: logger down')
-  })
 })
 
 describe('assertAuthorizedByOwnersOrMembership', () => {
diff --git a/dist/index.js b/dist/index.js
index a087c24..8d73177 100644
--- a/dist/index.js
+++ b/dist/index.js
@@ -42275,19 +42275,11 @@ async function checkIssueComments(octokit, context, issueNum, user) {
  */
 async function getOrgCollabCommentUsers(octokit, context, issueNum, args) {
     const toReturn = [];
-    try {
-        await Promise.all(args.map(async (arg) => {
-            const isOrgMember = await checkOrgMember(octokit, context, arg);
-            const isCollaborator = await checkCollaborator(octokit, context, arg);
-            const hasCommented = await checkIssueComments(octokit, context, issueNum, arg);
-            if (isOrgMember || isCollaborator || hasCommented) {
-                toReturn.push(arg);
-            }
-        }));
-    }
-    catch (e) {
-        throw new Error(`could not get authorized user: ${e}`);
-    }
+    await Promise.all(args.map(async (arg) => {
+        if (await checkCommenterAuth(octokit, context, issueNum, arg)) {
+            toReturn.push(arg);
+        }
+    }));
     return toReturn;
 }
 /**
@@ -42297,34 +42289,13 @@ async function getOrgCollabCommentUsers(octokit, context, issueNum, args) {
  * @param octokit - a hydrated github client
  * @param context - the github actions event context
  * @param issueNum - the issue or pr number this runtime is associated with
- * @param args - the users to check auth on
+ * @param user - the user to check auth on
  */
 async function checkCommenterAuth(octokit, context, issueNum, user) {
-    let isOrgMember = false;
-    let isCollaborator = false;
-    let hasCommented = false;
-    try {
-        isOrgMember = await checkOrgMember(octokit, context, user);
-    }
-    catch (e) {
-        throw new Error(`error in checking org member: ${e}`);
-    }
-    try {
-        isCollaborator = await checkCollaborator(octokit, context, user);
-    }
-    catch (e) {
-        throw new Error(`could not check collaborator: ${e}`);
-    }
-    try {
-        hasCommented = await checkIssueComments(octokit, context, issueNum, user);
-    }
-    catch (e) {
-        throw new Error(`could not check issue comments: ${e}`);
-    }
-    if (isOrgMember || isCollaborator || hasCommented) {
-        return true;
-    }
-    return false;
+    const isOrgMember = await checkOrgMember(octokit, context, user);
+    const isCollaborator = await checkCollaborator(octokit, context, user);
+    const hasCommented = await checkIssueComments(octokit, context, issueNum, user);
+    return isOrgMember || isCollaborator || hasCommented;
 }
 /**
  * When the repository has OWNERS files, use them to authorize the action,
@@ -45619,13 +45590,7 @@ async function remove(context = github_context) {
     }
     // Only users who:
     // - are collaborators
-    let isAuthUser = false;
-    try {
-        isAuthUser = await checkCollaborator(octokit, context, commenterId);
-    }
-    catch (e) {
-        throw new Error(`could not check commenter auth: ${e}`);
-    }
+    const isAuthUser = await checkCollaborator(octokit, context, commenterId);
     if (!isAuthUser) {
         throw new Error(`commenter is not authorized to remove a label. Must be repo collaborator`);
     }
@@ -45823,13 +45788,7 @@ async function assign_assign(context = github_context) {
     // - are members of the org
     // - are collaborators
     // - have previously commented on this issue
-    let authUsers = [];
-    try {
-        authUsers = await getOrgCollabCommentUsers(octokit, context, issueNumber, commentArgs);
-    }
-    catch (e) {
-        throw new Error(`could not get authorized users: ${e}`);
-    }
+    const authUsers = await getOrgCollabCommentUsers(octokit, context, issueNumber, commentArgs);
     switch (authUsers.length) {
         case 0:
             throw new Error(`no authorized users found. Only users who are members of the org, are collaborators, or have previously commented on this issue may be assigned`);
@@ -45902,13 +45861,7 @@ async function cc(context = github_context) {
     // - are members of the org
     // - are collaborators
     // - have previously commented on this issue
-    let authUsers = [];
-    try {
-        authUsers = await getOrgCollabCommentUsers(octokit, context, pullNumber, commentArgs);
-    }
-    catch (e) {
-        throw new Error(`could not get authorized users: ${e}`);
-    }
+    const authUsers = await getOrgCollabCommentUsers(octokit, context, pullNumber, commentArgs);
     switch (authUsers.length) {
         case 0:
             throw new Error(`no authorized users found. Only users who are members of the org, are collaborators, or have previously commented on this issue may be cc'd`);
@@ -45971,18 +45924,9 @@ async function close_close(context = github_context) {
     // - are collaborators
     // - pass `authorization.close`, which is read only when the first two refuse
     const isAuthor = commenterId === context.payload.issue?.user?.login;
-    let isAuthUser = isAuthor;
-    if (!isAuthor) {
-        try {
-            isAuthUser = await checkCollaborator(octokit, context, commenterId);
-        }
-        catch (e) {
-            throw new Error(`could not check commentor auth: ${e}`);
-        }
-    }
-    if (!isAuthUser) {
-        isAuthUser = await closePolicyAllows(octokit, context, commenterId);
-    }
+    const isAuthUser = isAuthor
+        || (await checkCollaborator(octokit, context, commenterId))
+        || (await closePolicyAllows(octokit, context, commenterId));
     if (isAuthUser) {
         const notPlanned = hasKeyword(getCommandArgs('/close', commentBody), 'not-planned');
         try {
@@ -46038,13 +45982,7 @@ async function lock(context = github_context) {
     const commentArgs = getCommandArgs('/lock', commentBody);
     // Only users who:
     // - are collaborators
-    let isAuthUser = false;
-    try {
-        isAuthUser = await checkCollaborator(octokit, context, commenterId);
-    }
-    catch (e) {
-        throw new Error(`could not check commenter auth: ${e}`);
-    }
+    const isAuthUser = await checkCollaborator(octokit, context, commenterId);
     if (isAuthUser) {
         let lockReason;
         if (commentArgs.length > 0) {
@@ -46226,13 +46164,7 @@ async function milestone(context = github_context) {
     }
     // Only users who:
     // - are collaborators
-    let isAuthUser = false;
-    try {
-        isAuthUser = await checkCollaborator(octokit, context, commenterId);
-    }
-    catch (e) {
-        throw new Error(`could not check commenter auth: ${e}`);
-    }
+    const isAuthUser = await checkCollaborator(octokit, context, commenterId);
     if (!isAuthUser) {
         throw new Error(`commenter is not authorized to set a milestone. Must be repo collaborator`);
     }
@@ -46287,18 +46219,9 @@ async function reopen(context = github_context) {
     // - are collaborators
     // - pass `authorization.close`, which is read only when the first two refuse
     const isAuthor = commenterId === context.payload.issue?.user?.login;
-    let isAuthUser = isAuthor;
-    if (!isAuthor) {
-        try {
-            isAuthUser = await checkCollaborator(octokit, context, commenterId);
-        }
-        catch (e) {
-            throw new Error(`could not check commentor auth: ${e}`);
-        }
-    }
-    if (!isAuthUser) {
-        isAuthUser = await closePolicyAllows(octokit, context, commenterId);
-    }
+    const isAuthUser = isAuthor
+        || (await checkCollaborator(octokit, context, commenterId))
+        || (await closePolicyAllows(octokit, context, commenterId));
     if (isAuthUser) {
         try {
             await octokit.issues.update({
@@ -46341,13 +46264,7 @@ async function retitle(context = github_context) {
     }
     // Only users who:
     // - are collaborators
-    let isAuthUser = false;
-    try {
-        isAuthUser = await checkCollaborator(octokit, context, commenterId);
-    }
-    catch (e) {
-        throw new Error(`could not check Commentor auth: ${e}`);
-    }
+    const isAuthUser = await checkCollaborator(octokit, context, commenterId);
     if (isAuthUser) {
         try {
             await octokit.issues.update({
@@ -46397,13 +46314,7 @@ async function unassign(context = github_context) {
         }
         return;
     }
-    let isAuthUser = false;
-    try {
-        isAuthUser = await checkCommenterAuth(octokit, context, issueNumber, commenterId);
-    }
-    catch (e) {
-        throw new Error(`couldn ot check commentor Auth: ${e}`);
-    }
+    const isAuthUser = await checkCommenterAuth(octokit, context, issueNumber, commenterId);
     if (isAuthUser) {
         try {
             await octokit.issues.removeAssignees({
@@ -46453,13 +46364,7 @@ async function uncc(context = github_context) {
     // - are members of the org
     // - are collaborators
     // - have previously commented on this issue
-    let authUser = false;
-    try {
-        authUser = await checkCommenterAuth(octokit, context, pullNumber, commenterId);
-    }
-    catch (e) {
-        throw new Error(`could not get authorized users: ${e}`);
-    }
+    const authUser = await checkCommenterAuth(octokit, context, pullNumber, commenterId);
     if (authUser) {
         await octokit.pulls.removeRequestedReviewers({
             ...context.repo,
diff --git a/src/issueComment/assign.ts b/src/issueComment/assign.ts
index 9ee0f17..c65e614 100644
--- a/src/issueComment/assign.ts
+++ b/src/issueComment/assign.ts
@@ -48,18 +48,12 @@ export async function assign(context: Context = github.context): Promise<void> {
   // - are members of the org
   // - are collaborators
   // - have previously commented on this issue
-  let authUsers: string[] = []
-  try {
-    authUsers = await getOrgCollabCommentUsers(
-      octokit,
-      context,
-      issueNumber,
-      commentArgs,
-    )
-  }
-  catch (e) {
-    throw new Error(`could not get authorized users: ${e}`)
-  }
+  const authUsers = await getOrgCollabCommentUsers(
+    octokit,
+    context,
+    issueNumber,
+    commentArgs,
+  )
 
   switch (authUsers.length) {
     case 0:
diff --git a/src/issueComment/cc.ts b/src/issueComment/cc.ts
index e03b1d3..6d13590 100644
--- a/src/issueComment/cc.ts
+++ b/src/issueComment/cc.ts
@@ -45,18 +45,12 @@ export async function cc(context: Context = github.context): Promise<void> {
   // - are members of the org
   // - are collaborators
   // - have previously commented on this issue
-  let authUsers: string[] = []
-  try {
-    authUsers = await getOrgCollabCommentUsers(
-      octokit,
-      context,
-      pullNumber,
-      commentArgs,
-    )
-  }
-  catch (e) {
-    throw new Error(`could not get authorized users: ${e}`)
-  }
+  const authUsers = await getOrgCollabCommentUsers(
+    octokit,
+    context,
+    pullNumber,
+    commentArgs,
+  )
 
   switch (authUsers.length) {
     case 0:
diff --git a/src/issueComment/close.ts b/src/issueComment/close.ts
index cb0553a..6566df9 100644
--- a/src/issueComment/close.ts
+++ b/src/issueComment/close.ts
@@ -31,18 +31,10 @@ export async function close(context: Context = github.context): Promise<void> {
   // - are collaborators
   // - pass `authorization.close`, which is read only when the first two refuse
   const isAuthor = commenterId === context.payload.issue?.user?.login
-  let isAuthUser: boolean = isAuthor
-  if (!isAuthor) {
-    try {
-      isAuthUser = await checkCollaborator(octokit, context, commenterId)
-    }
-    catch (e) {
-      throw new Error(`could not check commentor auth: ${e}`)
-    }
-  }
-  if (!isAuthUser) {
-    isAuthUser = await closePolicyAllows(octokit, context, commenterId)
-  }
+  const isAuthUser
+    = isAuthor
+      || (await checkCollaborator(octokit, context, commenterId))
+      || (await closePolicyAllows(octokit, context, commenterId))
 
   if (isAuthUser) {
     const notPlanned = hasKeyword(getCommandArgs('/close', commentBody), 'not-planned')
diff --git a/src/issueComment/lock.ts b/src/issueComment/lock.ts
index 76f853f..53243ef 100644
--- a/src/issueComment/lock.ts
+++ b/src/issueComment/lock.ts
@@ -39,13 +39,7 @@ export async function lock(context: Context = github.context): Promise<void> {
 
   // Only users who:
   // - are collaborators
-  let isAuthUser: boolean = false
-  try {
-    isAuthUser = await checkCollaborator(octokit, context, commenterId)
-  }
-  catch (e) {
-    throw new Error(`could not check commenter auth: ${e}`)
-  }
+  const isAuthUser = await checkCollaborator(octokit, context, commenterId)
 
   if (isAuthUser) {
     let lockReason: LockReason | undefined
diff --git a/src/issueComment/milestone.ts b/src/issueComment/milestone.ts
index 13dcfdc..1cbe3f6 100644
--- a/src/issueComment/milestone.ts
+++ b/src/issueComment/milestone.ts
@@ -32,13 +32,7 @@ export async function milestone(
 
   // Only users who:
   // - are collaborators
-  let isAuthUser: boolean = false
-  try {
-    isAuthUser = await checkCollaborator(octokit, context, commenterId)
-  }
-  catch (e) {
-    throw new Error(`could not check commenter auth: ${e}`)
-  }
+  const isAuthUser = await checkCollaborator(octokit, context, commenterId)
 
   if (!isAuthUser) {
     throw new Error(
diff --git a/src/issueComment/reopen.ts b/src/issueComment/reopen.ts
index d22fa6e..441a765 100644
--- a/src/issueComment/reopen.ts
+++ b/src/issueComment/reopen.ts
@@ -28,18 +28,10 @@ export async function reopen(context: Context = github.context): Promise<void> {
   // - are collaborators
   // - pass `authorization.close`, which is read only when the first two refuse
   const isAuthor = commenterId === context.payload.issue?.user?.login
-  let isAuthUser: boolean = isAuthor
-  if (!isAuthor) {
-    try {
-      isAuthUser = await checkCollaborator(octokit, context, commenterId)
-    }
-    catch (e) {
-      throw new Error(`could not check commentor auth: ${e}`)
-    }
-  }
-  if (!isAuthUser) {
-    isAuthUser = await closePolicyAllows(octokit, context, commenterId)
-  }
+  const isAuthUser
+    = isAuthor
+      || (await checkCollaborator(octokit, context, commenterId))
+      || (await closePolicyAllows(octokit, context, commenterId))
 
   if (isAuthUser) {
     try {
diff --git a/src/issueComment/retitle.ts b/src/issueComment/retitle.ts
index 9e1203e..b115efa 100644
--- a/src/issueComment/retitle.ts
+++ b/src/issueComment/retitle.ts
@@ -37,13 +37,7 @@ export async function retitle(
 
   // Only users who:
   // - are collaborators
-  let isAuthUser: boolean = false
-  try {
-    isAuthUser = await checkCollaborator(octokit, context, commenterId)
-  }
-  catch (e) {
-    throw new Error(`could not check Commentor auth: ${e}`)
-  }
+  const isAuthUser = await checkCollaborator(octokit, context, commenterId)
 
   if (isAuthUser) {
     try {
diff --git a/src/issueComment/unassign.ts b/src/issueComment/unassign.ts
index e6ffa08..3e75d97 100644
--- a/src/issueComment/unassign.ts
+++ b/src/issueComment/unassign.ts
@@ -45,18 +45,12 @@ export async function unassign(
     return
   }
 
-  let isAuthUser: boolean = false
-  try {
-    isAuthUser = await checkCommenterAuth(
-      octokit,
-      context,
-      issueNumber,
-      commenterId,
-    )
-  }
-  catch (e) {
-    throw new Error(`couldn ot check commentor Auth: ${e}`)
-  }
+  const isAuthUser = await checkCommenterAuth(
+    octokit,
+    context,
+    issueNumber,
+    commenterId,
+  )
 
   if (isAuthUser) {
     try {
diff --git a/src/issueComment/uncc.ts b/src/issueComment/uncc.ts
index 6af0b12..fa678dc 100644
--- a/src/issueComment/uncc.ts
+++ b/src/issueComment/uncc.ts
@@ -44,18 +44,12 @@ export async function uncc(context: Context = github.context): Promise<void> {
   // - are members of the org
   // - are collaborators
   // - have previously commented on this issue
-  let authUser: boolean = false
-  try {
-    authUser = await checkCommenterAuth(
-      octokit,
-      context,
-      pullNumber,
-      commenterId,
-    )
-  }
-  catch (e) {
-    throw new Error(`could not get authorized users: ${e}`)
-  }
+  const authUser = await checkCommenterAuth(
+    octokit,
+    context,
+    pullNumber,
+    commenterId,
+  )
 
   if (authUser) {
     await octokit.pulls.removeRequestedReviewers({
diff --git a/src/labels/remove.ts b/src/labels/remove.ts
index 91effa7..53abdb4 100644
--- a/src/labels/remove.ts
+++ b/src/labels/remove.ts
@@ -29,13 +29,7 @@ export async function remove(context: Context = github.context): Promise<void> {
 
   // Only users who:
   // - are collaborators
-  let isAuthUser: boolean = false
-  try {
-    isAuthUser = await checkCollaborator(octokit, context, commenterId)
-  }
-  catch (e) {
-    throw new Error(`could not check commenter auth: ${e}`)
-  }
+  const isAuthUser = await checkCollaborator(octokit, context, commenterId)
 
   if (!isAuthUser) {
     throw new Error(
diff --git a/src/utils/auth.ts b/src/utils/auth.ts
index 6e887fa..db99313 100644
--- a/src/utils/auth.ts
+++ b/src/utils/auth.ts
@@ -159,27 +159,13 @@ export async function getOrgCollabCommentUsers(
 ): Promise<string[]> {
   const toReturn: string[] = []
 
-  try {
-    await Promise.all(
-      args.map(async (arg) => {
-        const isOrgMember = await checkOrgMember(octokit, context, arg)
-        const isCollaborator = await checkCollaborator(octokit, context, arg)
-        const hasCommented = await checkIssueComments(
-          octokit,
-          context,
-          issueNum,
-          arg,
-        )
-
-        if (isOrgMember || isCollaborator || hasCommented) {
-          toReturn.push(arg)
-        }
-      }),
-    )
-  }
-  catch (e) {
-    throw new Error(`could not get authorized user: ${e}`)
-  }
+  await Promise.all(
+    args.map(async (arg) => {
+      if (await checkCommenterAuth(octokit, context, issueNum, arg)) {
+        toReturn.push(arg)
+      }
+    }),
+  )
 
   return toReturn
 }
@@ -191,7 +177,7 @@ export async function getOrgCollabCommentUsers(
  * @param octokit - a hydrated github client
  * @param context - the github actions event context
  * @param issueNum - the issue or pr number this runtime is associated with
- * @param args - the users to check auth on
+ * @param user - the user to check auth on
  */
 export async function checkCommenterAuth(
   octokit: Octokit,
@@ -199,36 +185,11 @@ export async function checkCommenterAuth(
   issueNum: number,
   user: string,
 ): Promise<boolean> {
-  let isOrgMember: boolean = false
-  let isCollaborator: boolean = false
-  let hasCommented: boolean = false
-
-  try {
-    isOrgMember = await checkOrgMember(octokit, context, user)
-  }
-  catch (e) {
-    throw new Error(`error in checking org member: ${e}`)
-  }
-
-  try {
-    isCollaborator = await checkCollaborator(octokit, context, user)
-  }
-  catch (e) {
-    throw new Error(`could not check collaborator: ${e}`)
-  }
-
-  try {
-    hasCommented = await checkIssueComments(octokit, context, issueNum, user)
-  }
-  catch (e) {
-    throw new Error(`could not check issue comments: ${e}`)
-  }
-
-  if (isOrgMember || isCollaborator || hasCommented) {
-    return true
-  }
+  const isOrgMember = await checkOrgMember(octokit, context, user)
+  const isCollaborator = await checkCollaborator(octokit, context, user)
+  const hasCommented = await checkIssueComments(octokit, context, issueNum, user)
 
-  return false
+  return isOrgMember || isCollaborator || hasCommented
 }
 
 /**