The U.S. Supreme Court has recently made a big decision that changes how federal agencies work. On June 28, 2024, the court voted 6-3 to end the Chevron doctrine. This rule had been in place for 40 years and gave agencies the power to interpret unclear laws. This change will affect many areas, including the trucking industry.

What is the Chevron Doctrine?

The Chevron doctrine came from a 1984 Supreme Court case, Chevron U.S.A. Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. It set up a two-step process for courts to use when looking at how agencies interpret laws:

1. Decide if Congress has directly addressed the issue. If the law is clear, the court must follow Congress’s intent.
2. If the law is unclear, decide if the agency’s interpretation is reasonable. If it is, courts should follow the agency’s view.

This rule helped balance the expertise of agencies with the role of judges in making sure laws are applied fairly.

The Supreme Court Decision

Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority, said that courts must use their own judgment to decide if an agency has acted within its power. The court ruled that judges should not always follow an agency’s interpretation just because a law is unclear. Instead, judges will now have more power to interpret laws when they are challenged.

Justice Elena Kagan, in her dissent, argued that agencies are better equipped to handle complex and technical issues. She warned that this decision could lead to inconsistent interpretations of laws and reduce the expertise that agencies bring to regulatory matters.

Impact on the Trucking Industry

The Supreme Court’s decision will have several impacts on the trucking industry:

1. Regulatory Uncertainty

With courts now having more power to interpret laws, there may be more uncertainty about how regulations will be applied. Trucking companies and drivers could face a less predictable regulatory environment.

2. Compliance Challenges

Agencies like the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) have used their expertise to define and enforce regulations affecting trucking. With courts now interpreting these regulations, trucking companies may face challenges in understanding and following new legal interpretations. This could lead to more lawsuits as people seek clarity on what the rules mean.

3. Potential Changes in Enforcement

The decision may change how some regulations are enforced. For example, rules about driver health and safety, like mandatory sleep disorder testing, could be reinterpreted by courts. This might lead to different enforcement practices in different places, making it harder for trucking companies that operate in multiple states.

4. Impact on Rulemaking

The ruling could affect how new regulations are made. Agencies might be more careful in issuing rules, knowing that courts could overturn their interpretations. This might slow down the introduction of new regulations, affecting the trucking industry’s ability to keep up with changing safety and environmental standards.

Broader Implications of the Supreme Court Decision

This decision will have wide-ranging effects beyond the trucking industry. It could lead to more court reviews of federal regulations in many areas, like environmental protection, public health, and consumer safety. The ruling might also lead Congress to make laws clearer to reduce ambiguity and litigation.

Looking Ahead

The Supreme Court’s decision to end the Chevron doctrine is a big change in the regulatory world. For the trucking industry, this means new challenges and uncertainties in following federal regulations. As judges take on a bigger role in interpreting laws, trucking companies and drivers need to stay informed and adaptable. The long-term effects of this decision will become clearer as courts and agencies adjust to the new rules.