The United States Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision in Devillier v. Texas, allowing Texas landowners’ takings claims to proceed against the State of Texas under an amended complaint.  [Read Opinion here.] Background A group of Texas farmers, ranchers, and rural landowners filed an inverse condemnation action against the State of Texas claiming that the Texas Department of Transportation’s (DOT) widening of I-10 intentionally caused widespread flooding on their property resulting in a taking for which they were due just compensation. The Plaintiffs are more than 120 landowners who… Read More →

The United States Supreme Court has finished releasing opinions for its 2022-2023 term.  There were a number of opinions related to agricultural law issues that are worth highlighting. Sackett v. EPA [Opinion] We have extensively covered this case dealing with the proper definition of “waters of the United States” under the Clean Water Act.  [Blog post / Podcast episode]  The Justices issued an interesting opinion in which they unanimously held the “significant nexus test” is not the proper test to determine whether a wetland constitutes a WOTUS and that… Read More →

The United States Supreme Court has ruled in a closely watched agricultural law case involving California’s Proposition 12.  [Read Opinion here.] Background  In 2018, California voters passed Proposition 12 (“Prop 12”), a ballot initiative setting production standards for eggs, veal, and pork sold in California.  Relevant in this case, Prop 12 prohibited the sale of whole pork meat from breeding pigs or their immediate offspring that were “confined in a cruel manner.”  “Cruel” conditions were defined as a pig being unable to lie down, stand up, fully extend… Read More →