October Term 2014 · Docket 14-275
Does a government program that forces farmers to surrender crops constitute a taking?
The Hornes argue the federal raisin program takes their property. The government claims it is a voluntary cooperative scheme.
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
Michael McConnell argued the program affects the livelihoods of small California raisin growers.
He stated the case involves important principles and the Hornes' financial survival.
The government attorney argued the program regulates the commercial marketing of a fungible product.
He emphasized the program was established with producer approval for their benefit.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 18-44 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 18-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-26 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 28-36 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 28-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 48-1 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 48-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 26-32 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 26-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 36-40 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 36-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 52-10 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 52-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 6-6 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 6-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 4-8 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 4-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 34-44 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 34-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 10-12 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 10-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 22-24 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 22-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 40-48 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 40-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 34-50 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 34-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 16-22 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 16-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 42-44 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 42-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 10-12 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 10-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 24-34 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 24-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 46-1 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 46-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 24-28 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 24-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 8-12 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 8-12
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The Hornes challenge a federal program that requires them to store part of their raisin crop. They claim this action violates their property rights. The Department of Agriculture defends the program as a cooperative effort. The case tests the limits of government regulation on private property.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 18-44 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 18-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-26 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 4-8 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 4-8
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on April 22, 2015.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 34-50 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 34-50
What each side wants
The Hornes want the court to declare the program an unconstitutional taking.
The government wants the court to uphold the program as a valid regulation.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 18-44 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 18-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-26 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 4-8 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 4-8
What each side says
The Hornes argue the government seized their property without paying them.
The government argues the program is a voluntary cooperative arrangement among producers.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 18-44 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 18-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-26 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 4-8 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 4-8
What the justices asked
Justice Ginsburg asked if the Hornes object to the volume limitation or the reserve pool.
Justice Kagan asked why oyster shells were not considered property after harvest.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 28-36 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 28-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 48-1 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 48-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 26-32 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 26-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 36-40 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 36-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 52-10 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 52-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 6-6 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 6-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 34-44 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 34-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 10-12 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 10-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 22-24 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 22-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 40-48 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 40-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 34-50 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 34-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 16-22 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 16-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 42-44 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 42-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 10-12 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 10-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 24-34 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 24-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 46-1 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 46-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 24-28 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 24-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 8-12 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 8-12
Why it matters
This case defines the boundary between government regulation and property seizure. It determines how much control the state holds over private agricultural assets. The outcome shapes the rights of all small-scale producers.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 18-44 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 18-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-26 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 4-8 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 4-8
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 8-18 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 28-36 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 28-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 48-1 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 48-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 26-32 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 26-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 36-40 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 36-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 52-10 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 52-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 6-6 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 6-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 34-44 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 34-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 10-12 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 10-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 22-24 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 22-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 40-48 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 40-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 34-50 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 34-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 16-22 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 16-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 42-44 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 42-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 10-12 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 10-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 24-34 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 24-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 46-1 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 46-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 24-28 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 24-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 8-12 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 8-12
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 25, lines 18-44 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 18-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-26 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 4-8 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 4-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 18-44 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 18-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-26 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 4-8 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 4-8
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.