Opinion ID: 1825723
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Heading Rank: 2

Heading: In Kerr v. Iowa Public Service Co., 274 N.W.2d 283, 287 (Iowa 1979), we pointed out:

Text: Judicial review of the administrative proceedings is a right conferred by statute. [Authorities.] We have said that where a right of judicial review is statutory, the procedure prescribed, by the statute must be followed. [Authority.] . . . [F]ailure to satisfy requirements of § 17A.19 [is] a jurisdictional defect . . . . See Richards v. Iowa State Commerce Commission, 270 N.W.2d 616, 619 (Iowa 1978); Iowa Public Service Company v. Iowa State Commerce Commission, 263 N.W.2d 766, 770 (Iowa 1978). Ford argues that some administrative agencies might, for various reasons, meet irregularly. Under the trial court's interpretation of section 17A.19(3)which we adoptinability to meet within the statutory period would rob the agency of its jurisdiction to act on an application to review its own decision. Ford assails this interpretation as at once harsh and absurd. We conceded that the operation of the statute might seem harsh, especially where, as here, a party might have been misled by the nullity of a later filing. Nevertheless, we believe that the statutory scheme is neither absurd nor unfair. Parties to the proceedings have a need for and a right to a prompt disposition of a dispute. We are confident that the legislature was fully aware that administrative agencies might meet irregularly. Hence, in the interests of a prompt disposition of disputes, the legislature superimposed an automatic denial of any application not ruled upon within the prescribed period. Regrettable hardships may well result to litigants who are unaware of the deemed denied provision of the statute. But it is in the over-all interests of litigants and the public at large that administrative proceedings move to a prompt conclusion. The legislature obviously had the broader public interest in mind in adopting the statute. The trial court was right in determining that Ford's petition for judicial review was untimely. AFFIRMED.