October Term 2002 · Docket 01-950
Does a federal statute exempt state raw milk laws from Commerce Clause review?
Hillside Dairy argues a federal statute exempts California raw milk rules from constitutional scrutiny. Lyons contends the statute does not create such an exemption.
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
Mr. Englert argued the Ninth Circuit used inventive statutory interpretation.
He claimed the statute directs courts on how to construe laws.
He stated the Ninth Circuit misread it as a constitutional exemption.
Mr. Urban noted two distinct inquiries exist in construing the statute. First, does it create a Dormant Commerce Clause exemption? Second, what laws fall within its scope? Ms. Mcdowell argued Section 144 lacks unmistakable clarity. She stated Congress did not clearly mean to exempt California laws. She added the statute does not exempt the specific raw milk regulations.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 21-41 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 21-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 31-15 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 31-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 17-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 48, lines 19-21
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The dispute centers on whether a specific federal statute exempts state regulations from Dormant Commerce Clause analysis. the sides that brought the case claim the Ninth Circuit misread the statute. the opposing sides argue the statute lacks clear intent to override constitutional limits.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 21-41 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 21-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 31-15 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 31-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 17-43
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on April 22, 2003.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 5-15
What each side wants
Hillside Dairy wants the Court to reverse the Ninth Circuit's interpretation of the statute.
Lyons wants the Court to affirm the Ninth Circuit's interpretation of the statute.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 21-41 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 21-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 31-15 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 31-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 17-43
What each side says
Hillside Dairy argues the Ninth Circuit invented a constitutional exemption not found in the statute.
Lyons argues the statute does not clearly exempt California laws from Commerce Clause review.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 21-41 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 21-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 31-15 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 31-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 17-43
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Rehnquist asked if the case was submitted after the argument concluded.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 48, lines 19-21
Why it matters
This case determines if federal statutes can shield state regulations from constitutional challenges. The outcome defines the scope of federal preemption over state commerce laws. It clarifies how courts interpret statutory exemptions to constitutional provisions.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 21-41 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 21-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 31-15 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 31-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 17-43
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 4, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 48, lines 19-21 — Transcript, file page 48, lines 19-21
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 12, lines 21-41 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 21-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 31-15 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 31-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 17-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 21-41 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 21-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 31-15 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 31-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 17-43
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.