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Constitutional Law Keyed to Choper
American Trucking Associations, Inc. v. Michigan Public Service Commission
Citation:
545 U.S. 429 (2005)Facts
Michigan’s Motor Carrier Act imposed a flat $100 annual fee on each self-propelled motor vehicle operated by motor carriers, but only for vehicles engaging in intrastate commercial operations (point-to-point hauls between Michigan cities). The petitioners argued that because trucks carrying both interstate and intrastate loads engage in intrastate business less frequently than trucks that operate solely within Michigan, the flat fee structure discriminated against interstate carriers and imposed an unconstitutional burden on interstate trade. The petitioners contended that the fee should be apportioned based on the amount of intrastate business conducted. Michigan defended the fee as regulatory in nature, designed to cover costs of administering vehicle size and weight regulations, insurance requirements, and safety standards, which vary more by truck than by miles traveled.
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