City of Sioux City v. Iowa Department of Commerce

SNELL, Justice.

The City of Sioux City challenges the authority of the Iowa Department of Commerce, Alcoholic Beverages Division, to promulgate a regulation permitting entry of a default judgment against a party failing to appear at a contested case hearing after receiving proper notice. We conclude the rule is within the agency’s statutory authority and is not in violation of a statute imposing a mandatory penalty on violators. We therefore affirm.

I. Background Facts and Proceedings

Intervenor GME, Ltd., d/b/a/ Maggie’s Mini Mart, is a convenience store located in Sioux City. Maggie’s holds a…