City of Columbus, et al. v. Ours Garage and Wrecker Service, Inc., et al. (536 U.S. 424)
U.S. Supreme Court · decided June 20, 2002 · Supreme Court Database (Spaeth)
- Citation
- 536 U.S. 424 · 122 S. Ct. 2226
- Decided
- June 20, 2002
- Term
- October Term 2001
- Vote
- 7–2
- Majority author
- Justice Ginsburg
- Issue area
- Federalism
- Disposition
- Reversed and remanded
- Outcome
- Petitioning party won
- Ideological direction
- Conservative
Opinion excerpt
Justice Ginsburg delivered the opinion of the Court. Federal preemption prescriptions relating to motor carriers, contained in 49 U. S. C. § 14501(c) (1994 ed., Supp. V), specifically save to States “safety regulatory authority . . . with respect to motor vehicles,” § 14501(c)(2)(A). This case presents the question whether the state power preserved in § 14501(c)(2)(A) may be delegated to municipalities, permitting them to exercise safety regulatory authority over local tow-truck operations. The federal legislation preempts provisions by “a State [or] political subdivision of a State . . . related to a price, route, or service of any motor carrier ... with respect to the transportation of property.” § 14501(c)(1). As an exception to this general rule, Congress provided that the preemption directive “shall not restrict the safety regulatory authority of a State with respect to motor vehicles.” § 14501(c)(2)(A). Section 14501(c)(l)’s statement of the general rule explicitly includes “State[s]” and their “political subdivision^].” The exception for safety regulation, however, specifies only “State[s]” and does not mention “political subdivision^].” § 14501(c)(2)(A). We hold that § 14501(c) does not bar a State from delegating to municipalities and other local units the State’s authority to establish safety regulations governing motor carriers of property, including tow trucks. A…
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