October Term 2002 · Docket 01-270
Do states count old fee waivers when applying interstate truck fee caps?
Yellow Transportation argues Michigan ignored past fee waivers. Michigan claims the law requires counting only current fees.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Charles Rothfeld argued the issue is narrow but important. He said it affects interstate commerce flow. He cited the 1991 statute. He said it eased state fee burdens. He targeted interstate trucks.
Mr. Schlick argued Congress assigned implementation to the ICC. He said the ICC set the fee cap rules. He said states must consider reciprocal fee reductions. He said states must consider reciprocal fee waivers. He cited the November 15, 1991 date.
Mr. Casey addressed the Michigan registration base change. He said it moved to principal place of business. He said the change is not present in this case. He cited 1111 14th Street, N. W.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 13-31 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 13-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 37-19 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 37-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-1 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 7-7 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 7-7
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
Congress created a single state registration system for interstate trucks. The law caps state registration fees. The Interstate Commerce Commission implemented the system. The Commission set rules for applying fee caps. The rules address reciprocal fee waivers. The waivers existed before November 15, 1991. Michigan changed its registration base. The state now uses principal place of business.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 13-31 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 13-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 37-19 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 37-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-1 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-1
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 7, 2002.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
What each side wants
Yellow Transportation wants the court to apply the fee cap using old waivers.
Michigan wants the court to apply the fee cap using only current fees.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 13-31 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 13-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 37-19 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 37-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-1 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-1
What each side says
Yellow Transportation argues the law requires counting pre-1991 reciprocal fee waivers.
Michigan argues the law requires counting only current reciprocal fee reductions.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 13-31 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 13-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 37-19 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 37-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-1 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-1
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Rehnquist asked if the case is submitted.
Chief Justice Rehnquist asked Mr. Rothfeld to begin his argument.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 7-7 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 7-7
Why it matters
The outcome sets the method for calculating interstate truck fee caps. It determines whether states count historical waivers. It affects the cost of interstate trucking. It impacts the flow of interstate commerce. It clarifies the scope of the 1991 statute. It defines the role of the Interstate Commerce Commission rules. It resolves the dispute over Michigan's fee calculation.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 13-31 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 13-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 37-19 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 37-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-1 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-1
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 49, lines 7-7 — Transcript, file page 49, lines 7-7
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 13-31 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 13-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 37-19 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 37-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-1 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 13-31 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 13-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 37-19 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 37-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-1 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-1
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.