October Term 2004 · Docket 04-163
Should courts apply the rational basis test to regulatory takings claims?
the sides that brought the case seek a stricter judicial review standard for property regulations. the opposing sides defend the current rational basis approach.
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. Bennett argued federal courts have deferentially reviewed legislation affecting property for seventy years.
Mr. Kneedler stated the rational basis standard goes to the heart of the judicial role.
Mr. Stewart identified the issue as the content of the regulatory takings doctrine.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 19-29 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 19-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 35-35 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 35-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 7-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 43-7 — Transcript, file page 22, lines 43-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-25 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 27-35 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 27-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-43 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 41-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-54 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 31-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 39-54 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 39-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 5-9 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 5-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 43-43 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 43-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 47-3 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 47-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 9-9 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 9-9
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests the standard for reviewing economic regulations that affect property rights. the sides that brought the case argue for a higher level of scrutiny. the opposing sides support the existing rational basis test.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 43-7 — Transcript, file page 22, lines 43-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-25 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-25
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on February 22, 2005.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-13
What each side wants
the sides that brought the case want the Court to adopt the substantially advances test for regulatory takings claims.
the opposing sides want the Court to maintain the rational basis standard for reviewing economic legislation.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 43-7 — Transcript, file page 22, lines 43-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-25 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-25
What each side says
the sides that brought the case argue the substantially advances test is grounded in long-recognized legal principles.
the opposing sides argue the rational basis standard is central to the judicial role in a democracy.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 43-7 — Transcript, file page 22, lines 43-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-25 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-25
What the justices asked
Justice O'Connor asked if discrete property rights justify higher scrutiny than general economic regulation.
Justice Scalia questioned why the Court repeatedly states certain legal principles.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 19-29 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 19-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 35-35 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 35-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 7-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 27-35 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 27-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-43 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 41-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-54 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 31-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 39-54 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 39-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 5-9 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 5-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 43-43 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 43-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 47-3 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 47-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 9-9 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 9-9
Why it matters
The outcome defines the scope of judicial review for property regulations. It determines how strictly courts examine state economic laws affecting private property interests.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 43-7 — Transcript, file page 22, lines 43-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-25 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-25
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 10, lines 19-29 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 19-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 35-35 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 35-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 7-9 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 7-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-13 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 27-35 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 27-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-43 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 41-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 31-54 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 31-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 13-23 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 13-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 39-54 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 39-54
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 5-9 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 5-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 43-43 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 43-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 47-3 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 47-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 9-9 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 9-9
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 13, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 43-7 — Transcript, file page 22, lines 43-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-25 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 22, lines 43-7 — Transcript, file page 22, lines 43-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-25 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-25
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.