October Term 2016 · Docket 15-214
Can a state merge two adjacent lots into one for development limits?
The Murrs claim Wisconsin merged their two lots illegally. The state says the lots legally count as one unit.
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
John Groen argued the Murrs cannot sell one lot. He said other owners could sell similar lots. He called this treatment fundamentally unfair.
Paul Tseytlin argued the lots merged under state law. He said they count as one unit for all purposes. He emphasized the legal status of the property.
Paul Lazarus argued the state excluded these lots from exemptions. He said thirty-three states use similar rules. He noted the rule has existed for decades.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-30 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 34-1 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 34-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 32-48 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 32-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 18-26 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 18-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 8-12 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 8-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 47, lines 46-16 — Transcript, file page 47, lines 46-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 12-18 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 12-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 28-32 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 28-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 52-6 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 52-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 36-6 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 36-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 30-8 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 30-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 8-10 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 8-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 48-8 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 48-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 32-6 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 32-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 12-38 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 12-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 28-34 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 28-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 38-46 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 38-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 10-18 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 10-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 48-6 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 48-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 34-10 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 34-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 26-30 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 26-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 46-6 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 46-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 20-26 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 20-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 52-12 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 52-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 48-16 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 48-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 16-20 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 16-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 24-30 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 24-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 42-10 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 42-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 6-8 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 6-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 34-38 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 34-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 14-28 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 14-28
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The Murrs own two adjacent lots in Wisconsin. They want to sell one lot separately. Wisconsin law treats the two lots as a single unit. The Murrs argue this rule destroys their property value. The state argues the rule prevents environmental harm.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-30 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 32-48 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 32-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 47, lines 46-16 — Transcript, file page 47, lines 46-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 30-8 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 30-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 8-10 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 8-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 48-16 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 48-16
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 20, 2017.
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 73, lines 6-8 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 6-8
What each side wants
The Murrs want to sell one lot separately. They want the Court to strike down the merger rule.
Wisconsin wants to keep the merger rule. It wants the Court to uphold the state law.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-30 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 32-48 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 32-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 47, lines 46-16 — Transcript, file page 47, lines 46-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 30-8 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 30-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 8-10 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 8-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 48-16 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 48-16
What each side says
The Murrs argue the state took their property without compensation. They say the rule makes one lot worthless.
Wisconsin argues the lots legally merged under state law. It says the rule protects the river environment.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-30 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 32-48 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 32-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 47, lines 46-16 — Transcript, file page 47, lines 46-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 30-8 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 30-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 8-10 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 8-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 48-16 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 48-16
What the justices asked
Justice Sotomayor asked where state regulatory power ends. She asked how ownership changes affect lot status.
Justice Kennedy asked about market value changes. He asked if owners lose money under the Murrs' theory.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 34-1 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 34-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 18-26 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 18-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 8-12 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 8-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 12-18 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 12-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 28-32 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 28-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 52-6 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 52-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 36-6 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 36-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 48-8 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 48-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 32-6 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 32-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 12-38 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 12-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 28-34 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 28-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 38-46 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 38-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 10-18 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 10-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 48-6 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 48-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 34-10 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 34-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 26-30 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 26-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 46-6 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 46-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 20-26 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 20-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 52-12 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 52-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 16-20 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 16-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 24-30 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 24-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 42-10 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 42-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 34-38 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 34-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 14-28 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 14-28
Why it matters
This case defines how states count property for development limits. It affects landowners who hold adjacent parcels. It shapes how local governments manage riverfront land. It balances private property rights against public environmental goals.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-30 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 32-48 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 32-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 47, lines 46-16 — Transcript, file page 47, lines 46-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 30-8 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 30-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 8-10 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 8-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 48-16 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 48-16
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 34-1 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 34-1
- 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 18-26 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 18-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 8-12 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 8-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 12-18 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 12-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 28-32 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 28-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 52-6 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 52-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 36-6 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 36-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 48-8 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 48-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 32-6 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 32-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 12-38 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 12-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 28-34 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 28-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 38-46 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 38-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 10-18 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 10-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 48-6 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 48-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 34-10 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 34-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 26-30 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 26-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 64, lines 46-6 — Transcript, file page 64, lines 46-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 20-26 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 20-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 52-12 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 52-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 16-20 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 16-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 24-30 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 24-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 42-10 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 42-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 6-8 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 6-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 34-38 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 34-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 14-28 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 14-28
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 3, lines 20-30 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 32-48 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 32-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 47, lines 46-16 — Transcript, file page 47, lines 46-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 30-8 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 30-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 8-10 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 8-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 48-16 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 48-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-30 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 31, lines 32-48 — Transcript, file page 31, lines 32-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 47, lines 46-16 — Transcript, file page 47, lines 46-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 30-8 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 30-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 8-10 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 8-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 48-16 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 48-16
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.