United States v. Locke
Encyclopedia
United States v. Locke, 529 U.S. 89 (2000), was a unanimous Supreme Court decision that held that a state's regulation of certain maritime activity was pre-empted under the Commerce Clause
by existing extensive federal regulation of oil tankers.
in 1989 severely affected the environment in the northwestern United States. The state of Washington passed a law that would regulate the type of vessels that were allowed to drop anchor in the ports of Washington state. The United States Attorney General, Janet Reno
filed charges against Washington for being in violation of the Commerce Clause
of the United States Constitution
. The case reached the Supreme Court of the United States
on December 7, 1999. The courts upheld the United States' right to control interstate commerce, and that the state legislature of Washington did not have the authority to pass a law that had any bearing on interstate commerce.
made regarding the federal government's control over interstate commerce. Similar to the governments decision in Gibbons v. Ogden, the court stated that the states cannot pass laws that interfere with the federal government's right to control interstate commerce. The commerce clause in the United States Constitution grants the House of Representatives
the ability to control and regulate any activity related to commerce that takes place either overseas or domestically. The previous decisions set the platform for the government to use these enumerated powers
as "...necessary and proper..." also stated in the Constitution.
Commerce Clause
The Commerce Clause is an enumerated power listed in the United States Constitution . The clause states that the United States Congress shall have power "To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes." Courts and commentators have tended to...
by existing extensive federal regulation of oil tankers.
Overview
The Exxon Valdez oil spillExxon Valdez oil spill
The Exxon Valdez oil spill occurred in Prince William Sound, Alaska, on March 24, 1989, when the Exxon Valdez, an oil tanker bound for Long Beach, California, struck Prince William Sound's Bligh Reef and spilled of crude oil. It is considered to be one of the most devastating human-caused...
in 1989 severely affected the environment in the northwestern United States. The state of Washington passed a law that would regulate the type of vessels that were allowed to drop anchor in the ports of Washington state. The United States Attorney General, Janet Reno
Janet Reno
Janet Wood Reno is a former Attorney General of the United States . She was nominated by President Bill Clinton on February 11, 1993, and confirmed on March 11...
filed charges against Washington for being in violation of the Commerce Clause
Commerce Clause
The Commerce Clause is an enumerated power listed in the United States Constitution . The clause states that the United States Congress shall have power "To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes." Courts and commentators have tended to...
of the United States Constitution
United States Constitution
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the framework for the organization of the United States government and for the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States.The first three...
. The case reached the Supreme Court of the United States
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
on December 7, 1999. The courts upheld the United States' right to control interstate commerce, and that the state legislature of Washington did not have the authority to pass a law that had any bearing on interstate commerce.
Impact
This decision upheld the previous decision, Gibbons v. OgdenGibbons v. Ogden
Gibbons v. Ogden, 22 U.S. 1 , was a landmark decision in which the Supreme Court of the United States held that the power to regulate interstate commerce was granted to Congress by the Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution. The case was argued by some of America's most admired and...
made regarding the federal government's control over interstate commerce. Similar to the governments decision in Gibbons v. Ogden, the court stated that the states cannot pass laws that interfere with the federal government's right to control interstate commerce. The commerce clause in the United States Constitution grants the House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
the ability to control and regulate any activity related to commerce that takes place either overseas or domestically. The previous decisions set the platform for the government to use these enumerated powers
Enumerated powers
The enumerated powers are a list of items found in Article I, section 8 of the US Constitution that set forth the authoritative capacity of the United States Congress. In summary, Congress may exercise the powers that the Constitution grants it, subject to explicit restrictions in the Bill of...
as "...necessary and proper..." also stated in the Constitution.
See also
- List of United States Supreme Court cases, volume 530
- List of United States Supreme Court cases
- Lists of United States Supreme Court cases by volume