October Term 2022 · Docket 21-468
Does California's pork sales ban violate the Commerce Clause?
Pork producers claim California's law forces out-of-state farms to adopt local rules. California argues voters chose to pay more for ethical meat.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — 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
Timothy Bishop argued the law violates the Commerce Clause. He stated it conditions sales on out-of-state farming methods. He claimed there is no valid safety reason for the ban.
Michael Mongan argued the law bars in-state sales. He said voters chose to pay higher prices. He asserted the Commerce Clause allows this local market choice.
Brian Kneedler argued the sales ban imposes a substantial burden. He stated it serves no legitimate local public interest. He claimed it acts as a trade barrier based on out-of-state conduct.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 13-19 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 13-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 120, lines 31-29 — Transcript, file page 120, lines 31-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 133, lines 37-33 — Transcript, file page 133, lines 37-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 136, lines 39-39 — Transcript, file page 136, lines 39-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 136, lines 41-11 — Transcript, file page 136, lines 41-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 139, lines 37-9 — Transcript, file page 139, lines 37-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 141, lines 29-37 — Transcript, file page 141, lines 29-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 141, lines 39-11 — Transcript, file page 141, lines 39-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 142, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 142, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 143, lines 29-29 — Transcript, file page 143, lines 29-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 145, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 145, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 31-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 39-51 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 39-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 53-7 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 53-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 27-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-45 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 35-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 55-7 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 55-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 21-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 49-13 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 49-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 9-17 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 9-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 17-17 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 17-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 39-51 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 39-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 41-41 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 41-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 53-53 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 53-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 37-17 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 37-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 49-15 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 49-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 21-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 41-51 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 41-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 92, lines 37-29 — Transcript, file page 92, lines 37-29
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests whether a state can ban the sale of goods produced elsewhere under different standards. The dispute centers on California's Proposition 12. It restricts pork sales based on how animals were raised. Producers say this burdens interstate trade. The state says it protects local consumer preferences.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 120, lines 31-29 — Transcript, file page 120, lines 31-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 133, lines 37-33 — Transcript, file page 133, lines 37-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 143, lines 29-29 — Transcript, file page 143, lines 29-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 31-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 39-51 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 39-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 92, lines 37-29 — Transcript, file page 92, lines 37-29
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 11, 2022.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 136, lines 41-11 — Transcript, file page 136, lines 41-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 37-17 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 37-17
What each side wants
Pork producers want the Court to strike down the sales ban. They argue it forces out-of-state farms to follow California rules. This burdens interstate commerce without a valid local safety interest.
California wants the Court to uphold the law. It argues voters chose to pay higher prices. They wanted to refuse a market for meat they view as morally objectionable.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 120, lines 31-29 — Transcript, file page 120, lines 31-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 133, lines 37-33 — Transcript, file page 133, lines 37-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 143, lines 29-29 — Transcript, file page 143, lines 29-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 31-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 39-51 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 39-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 92, lines 37-29 — Transcript, file page 92, lines 37-29
What each side says
Producers argue the law is an extraterritorial regulation. It conditions sales on out-of-state farms adopting California methods. They claim this violates the Commerce Clause almost per se.
California argues the law only bars in-state sales. It does not regulate out-of-state production. The Commerce Clause does not prohibit voters from choosing ethical products.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 120, lines 31-29 — Transcript, file page 120, lines 31-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 133, lines 37-33 — Transcript, file page 133, lines 37-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 143, lines 29-29 — Transcript, file page 143, lines 29-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 31-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 39-51 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 39-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 92, lines 37-29 — Transcript, file page 92, lines 37-29
What the justices asked
Justice Kagan asked if a state forces out-of-state actors to comply. She questioned whether the state's market effectively mandates specific practices.
Justice Thomas asked if California could ban houses built with out-of-state wood. He explored whether product standards exclude foreign materials.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 13-19 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 13-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 136, lines 39-39 — Transcript, file page 136, lines 39-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 136, lines 41-11 — Transcript, file page 136, lines 41-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 139, lines 37-9 — Transcript, file page 139, lines 37-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 141, lines 29-37 — Transcript, file page 141, lines 29-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 141, lines 39-11 — Transcript, file page 141, lines 39-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 142, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 142, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 145, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 145, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 53-7 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 53-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 27-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-45 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 35-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 55-7 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 55-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 21-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 49-13 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 49-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 9-17 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 9-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 17-17 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 17-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 39-51 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 39-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 41-41 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 41-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 53-53 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 53-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 49-15 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 49-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 21-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 41-51 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 41-51
Why it matters
This case defines the limits of state power over interstate trade. It determines if states can ban goods based on out-of-state production methods. The outcome shapes how states regulate agricultural products. It impacts the balance between local values and national markets.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 120, lines 31-29 — Transcript, file page 120, lines 31-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 133, lines 37-33 — Transcript, file page 133, lines 37-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 143, lines 29-29 — Transcript, file page 143, lines 29-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 31-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 39-51 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 39-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 92, lines 37-29 — Transcript, file page 92, lines 37-29
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 13-19 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 13-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 39-45 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 39-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 136, lines 39-39 — Transcript, file page 136, lines 39-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 136, lines 41-11 — Transcript, file page 136, lines 41-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 139, lines 37-9 — Transcript, file page 139, lines 37-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 141, lines 29-37 — Transcript, file page 141, lines 29-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 141, lines 39-11 — Transcript, file page 141, lines 39-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 142, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 142, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 145, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 145, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 53-7 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 53-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 27-31 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 27-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-45 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 35-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 55-7 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 55-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 21-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 49-13 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 49-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 9-17 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 9-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 17-17 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 17-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 39-51 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 39-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 41-41 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 41-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 53-53 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 53-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 37-17 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 37-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 49-15 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 49-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 21-25 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 21-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 41-51 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 41-51
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 120, lines 31-29 — Transcript, file page 120, lines 31-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 133, lines 37-33 — Transcript, file page 133, lines 37-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 143, lines 29-29 — Transcript, file page 143, lines 29-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 31-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 39-51 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 39-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 92, lines 37-29 — Transcript, file page 92, lines 37-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 120, lines 31-29 — Transcript, file page 120, lines 31-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 133, lines 37-33 — Transcript, file page 133, lines 37-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 143, lines 29-29 — Transcript, file page 143, lines 29-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 23-25 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 23-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 31-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 39-51 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 39-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 92, lines 37-29 — Transcript, file page 92, lines 37-29
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.