Opinion ID: 110649
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Rational Basis

Text: Assuming that the rational basis test is the appropriate standard of review, we conclude that no such rationality supports ordinance No. 1353. The test requires that legislative action be rationally related to the accomplishment of a legitimate state purpose. First, the challenged legislation must have a legitimate public purpose based on promotion of the public welfare, health or safety. See, e. g., Rinaldi v. Yeager, 384 U. S. 305, 309-10 . . . (1966); Falfurrias Creamery Co. v. City of Laredo, 276 S. W. 2d 351 (Tex. Civ. App. 1955, writ ref'd n.r.e.). Second, the act taken must bear a rational relation to the end it seeks to further. See e. g., Griswold v. Connecticut, 381 U. S. at 505-507 . . . (WHITE, J., concurring); Schware v. Board of Bar Examiners, 353 U. S. 232, 239 . . . (1957); City of University Park v. Benners, 485 S. W. 2d 773, 778-79 (Tex. 1972), appeal dismissed 411 U. S. 901 . . . (1973). The requirement of legislative rationality in the service of legitimate purposes protects individuals and their liberties from official arbitrariness or unthinking prejudice. As one commentator noted, irrationality at least means `patently useless in the service of any goal apart from whim or favoritism.' Michelman, Politics and Values or What's Really Wrong with Rationality Review? 13 Creighton Law Review 487, 499 (1979). The test requires that legislation constitute a means that is `reasonable, not arbitrary and rests upon some ground of difference having a fair and substantial relation to the object of the legislation . . . ' Texas Woman's University v. Chayklintaste, 530 S. W. 2d 927, 928 (Tex. 1979), citing Reed v. Reed, 404 U. S. 71, 76 . . . (1971). Accord, United States Department of Agriculture v. Moreno, 413 U. S. 528 . . . (1973); James v. Strange, 407 U. S. 128. . . (1972); Jackson v. Indiana, 406 U. S. 715 . . . (1972); Stanley v. Illinois, 405 U. S. 645 . . . (1972); Eisenstadt v. Baird, 405 U. S. 438 . . . (1972). Examination of ordinance No. 1353 reveals two stated purposes. First, the ordinance seeks to prevent truancy. Second, it seeks to keep minors from being exposed to people `who would promote gambling, sale of narcotics and other unlawful activities.' We conclude that the seventeen year old age requirement in no way rationally furthers these interests in regulating the associational activity of Mesquite's young citizens, even making the assumption that both of these goals are legitimate. 630 F. 2d, at 1039.