Opinion ID: 2543420
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: constitutional matters raised in this petition

Text: ¶ 23 The record shows that, for the first time, Westside has raised arguments in this petition about the unconstitutionality of Rule 746-210 under both the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the United States Constitution. Pursuant to the Utah Code, No applicant may urge or rely on any ground not set forth in the application [for rehearing] in an appeal to any court. Utah Code Ann. § 54-7-15(2)(b) (2001). As this court has stated, in the interest of avoiding procedural confusion and piecemeal litigation[,] a petitioner must bring all potential claims, including constitutional challenges, before the state agency involved. Nebeker v. Utah Tax Comm'n, 2001 UT 74, ¶ 19, 34 P.3d 180. This requirement serves several objectives: (1) such notice gives the state agency the ability to reassess its own administrative rule if the rule is the subject of a constitutional challenge, (2) the agency involved may engage in fact-finding best suited to assess and resolve the constitutional claim, and (3) a petitioner will not be able to revive claims ... originally lost due to his [or her] own lack of diligence in failing to exhaust ... administrative remedies. Id. at ¶ 20 (citation omitted). Since Westside did not raise these claims when petitioning the PSC for review of its original order, which petition was granted as to the rate exemption argument, it has waived its right to raise these arguments in this court. We therefore will not consider the substance of its constitutional challenges.