October Term 2002 · Docket 01-706
Does federal boat safety law block state noise rules?
the sides that brought the case seek to strike down a state noise law. the opposing sides defend the state law against federal preemption claims.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — 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
Mr. Stewart stated the Coast Guard administers the Boat Safety Act.
Mr. Shapiro noted Congress specified safety equipment for over 90 years.
Ms. Brueckner argued the maritime argument was waived.
Ms. Brueckner said the opposing sides did not raise the maritime issue earlier.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 19-13 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 19-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 39-37 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 39-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 25-21 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 25-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 23-3 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 23-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 5-9 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 5-9
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests whether federal boat safety standards override state noise regulations.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 19-13 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 19-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 39-37 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 39-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 25-21 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 25-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 23-3 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 23-3
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 15, 2002.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 5-9 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 5-9
What each side wants
the sides that brought the case want the state noise law struck down.
the opposing sides want the state noise law upheld.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 19-13 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 19-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 39-37 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 39-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 25-21 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 25-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 23-3 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 23-3
What each side says
the sides that brought the case argue federal law preempts state noise rules.
the opposing sides argue state law remains valid.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 19-13 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 19-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 39-37 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 39-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 25-21 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 25-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 23-3 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 23-3
What the justices asked
Does the Boat Safety Act occupy the field of boat safety?
Did the side that brought the case waive the maritime argument?
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 5-9 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 5-9
Why it matters
State noise rules affect boat operators. Federal standards shape national safety. This conflict impacts consumer choice and state authority.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 19-13 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 19-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 39-37 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 39-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 25-21 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 25-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 23-3 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 23-3
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 5-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 5-9 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 5-9
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 19-13 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 19-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 39-37 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 39-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 25-21 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 25-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 23-3 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 23-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 19-13 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 19-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 26, lines 39-37 — Transcript, file page 26, lines 39-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-17 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 50, lines 25-21 — Transcript, file page 50, lines 25-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 23-3 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 23-3
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.