October Term 2021 · Docket 20-1029
Does a sign rule that targets off-premises ads violate the First Amendment?
Austin, Texas, and Reagan National Advertising dispute whether a local sign law targets speech based on its message.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official Court opinion 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 Dreeben argued for the city. He stated the Fifth Circuit misinterpreted prior Supreme Court precedent. He claimed the city’s rule targets the location of the advertised activity, not the message.
S. Shanmugam argued for the advertiser. He stated the city denied the permit because the signs advertised off-premises activities. He claimed this distinction targets the content of the speech under existing First Amendment law.
Justice Thomas questioned whether the rule prevents a restaurant from advertising its food unless the sign is at the restaurant. He asked if the rule restricts speech based on location.
Chief Justice Roberts asked if a rule banning signs near highways violates the First Amendment. He asked what subject the city’s rule singles out.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 27-33 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 27-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 37-43 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 37-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 51-13 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 51-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 53-17 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 53-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-11 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 25-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-13 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 49-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 33-45 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 33-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 53-9 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 53-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 51-39 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 51-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 9-19 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 9-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 45-45 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 45-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 51-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 11-33 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 11-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 51-21 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 51-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 55-21 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 55-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 33-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 35-31 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 35-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 23-41 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 23-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 51-53 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 51-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 13-19 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 13-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 98, lines 53-9 — Transcript, file page 98, lines 53-9
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests how courts identify laws that target specific speech content. The city argues its rule targets the location of the advertised business. The advertiser argues the rule targets the message itself.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 53-17 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 53-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-11 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 25-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 33-45 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 33-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 98, lines 53-9 — Transcript, file page 98, lines 53-9
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 10, 2021.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 51-39 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 51-39
What each side wants
The city wants the Court to rule that its sign law targets location, not message content.
The advertiser wants the Court to rule that the sign law targets the specific message of the advertisement.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 53-17 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 53-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-11 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 25-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 33-45 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 33-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 98, lines 53-9 — Transcript, file page 98, lines 53-9
What each side says
The city argues that distinguishing between on-premises and off-premises ads is a neutral location rule, not a content-based restriction.
The advertiser argues that the city must read the sign’s message to apply the law, making it content-based under First Amendment precedent.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 53-17 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 53-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-11 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 25-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 33-45 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 33-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 98, lines 53-9 — Transcript, file page 98, lines 53-9
What the justices asked
Justice Thomas asked if a restaurant could not advertise its food unless the sign is physically at the restaurant.
Chief Justice Roberts asked if a rule banning signs near highways violates the First Amendment.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 27-33 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 27-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 37-43 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 37-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 51-13 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 51-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-13 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 49-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 53-9 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 53-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 51-39 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 51-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 9-19 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 9-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 45-45 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 45-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 51-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 11-33 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 11-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 51-21 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 51-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 55-21 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 55-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 33-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 35-31 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 35-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 23-41 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 23-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 51-53 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 51-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 13-19 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 13-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 27-37
Why it matters
This dispute defines how governments regulate commercial speech. The outcome shapes whether cities can restrict ads based on where the business operates. It affects the scope of free expression for businesses nationwide.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 53-17 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 53-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-11 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 25-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 33-45 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 33-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 98, lines 53-9 — Transcript, file page 98, lines 53-9
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 11, lines 27-33 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 27-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 37-43 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 37-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 51-13 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 51-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 49-13 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 49-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 53-9 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 53-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 51-39 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 51-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 9-19 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 9-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 45-45 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 45-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 51-7 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 51-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 11-33 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 11-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 51-21 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 51-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 55-21 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 55-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 33-39 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 33-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 45-49 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 45-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 35-31 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 35-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 23-41 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 23-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 51-53 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 51-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 13-19 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 13-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 27-37
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Verified official opinions and orders
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 53-17 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 53-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-11 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 25-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 33-45 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 33-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 98, lines 53-9 — Transcript, file page 98, lines 53-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 53-17 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 53-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 25-11 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 25-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 33-45 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 33-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 98, lines 53-9 — Transcript, file page 98, lines 53-9
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.