Opinion ID: 1826540
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Review of Agency Action.

Text: This case arises from an administrative order issued by the DNR to the bank in December 1987. Issuance of administrative orders is authorized by Iowa Code section 455B.307(2). The scope of the agency's authority is prescribed by statute. A statute is presumed to be prospective in its operation unless expressly made retroactive. Iowa Code § 4.5. Thus, substantive amendments to this statute made after 1987 would be given prospective effect unless expressly made retroactive. City of Waverly v. Iowa Dep't of Job Serv., 383 N.W.2d 513, 514 (Iowa 1986). Changes in the law which relate solely to procedure or remedies are usually applied both prospectively and retrospectively. Id. at 515. Although section 455B.307 has been amended since 1987, we apply the substantive provisions of the 1987 statute. The parties disagree as to how section 455B.307 should be construed. The bank contends it is a penal statute imposing a penalty for each day of violation. Penal statutes are strictly construed. State v. Glenn, 234 N.W.2d 396, 400 (Iowa 1975). The DNR argues section 455B.307 is a remedial statute and should be construed liberally. A law which regulates conduct for the public good or welfare is ordinarily remedial and liberally interpreted. State ex rel. Turner v. Koscot Interplanetary, Inc., 191 N.W.2d 624, 629 (Iowa 1971). We agree the statute is remedial. When first adopted, the violation of the dumping provision was subject to criminal penalty. Iowa Code § 406.9 (1971). Since 1975, violation of the statute is subject to civil penalty only. 1975 Acts ch. 59, § 6. The civil penalty provision is essentially regulatory and intended to secure compliance with the statute. We have refused to give a narrow or restricted reading to environmental statutes. State v. Presto-X Co., 417 N.W.2d 199, 201 (Iowa 1987); Polk County Drainage Dist. Four v. Iowa Natural Resources Council, 377 N.W.2d 236, 241 (Iowa 1985); State ex rel. Iowa Dep't of Water, Air & Waste Management v. Grell, 368 N.W.2d 139, 141 (Iowa 1985). The Iowa Administrative Procedure Act governs judicial review of final agency actions. Iowa Code § 17A.19 (1991). In this contested case proceeding, our appellate review, like that of the district court, is limited to the correction of errors at law. Sharp v. Employment Appeal Bd., 479 N.W.2d 280, 282 (Iowa 1991). In determining whether the law has been correctly applied, we give weight to the agency's construction of the statute although we are not bound by it. John Deere Dubuque Works v. Weyant, 442 N.W.2d 101, 103 (Iowa 1989).