"Supreme Court Rulings: The Future of Federal Agency Regulatory Authority"
The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in two cases involving fishing companies challenging regulations that require them to pay for human monitors on their boats to ensure compliance with fishing regulations. The cases could potentially overturn a longstanding 1984 precedent that gives regulatory agencies deference in ambiguous situations. The fishing companies argue that the monitoring costs could drive them out of business and that the agencies lack the authority to impose these expenses. The Supreme Court is expected to issue rulings in late June or early July.