Document: 537 U.S. 129 PIERCE COUNTY, WASHINGTONv.GUILLEN, LEGAL GUARDIAN OF GUILLEN ET AL., MINORS, AL. No. 01-1229. Supreme Court of United States. Argued November 4, 2002. Decided January 14, 2003. As part its effort to improve the safety Nation's highways, Congress adopted Hazard Elimination Program (Program), 23 U. S. C. § 152, which provides state and local governments with funding most dangerous sections their roads. To be eligible for such funding, a government must undertake thorough evaluation public Because States' concerns that absence confidentiality respect 152's compliance measures would increase liability risk accidents took place at hazardous locations before improvements could made Department Transportation's reluctance forthcoming in data collection efforts undermined Program's effectiveness, Congress, 1987, 409, provided materials "compiled" 152 purposes "shall not admitted into evidence Federal or State court." Responding subsequent court decisions holding 409 did apply pretrial discovery protected only an agency actually generated purposes, documents collected prepare application, expressly statute applicable 1991 added phrase "or collected" after word 1995. Several months respondent Ignacio Guillen's wife died automobile accident intersection petitioner county, petitioner's request was denied. Its second approved three weeks accident. Petitioner declined provide respondents' counsel information about intersection, asserting any relevant by 409. Respondents then filed action Washington court, alleging refusal disclose violated State's Public Disclosure Act (PDA). The trial granted respondents summary judgment, ordering five pay attorney's fees. While appeal pending, another state-court action, had been negligent failing install proper traffic controls intersection. refused comply regarding successfully sought order compel. Appeals motion discretionary appellate review interlocutory order, consolidated this PDA appeals, large affirmed, concluding four requested were protected. On further appeal, determined disclosure under laws appropriate if 409; protection as amended 1995, turned on whether without regard identity documents' custodian; 1995 amendment's adoption exceeded Congress' powers Spending, Commerce, Necessary Proper Clauses. It therefore vacated lower court's judgment remanded case. Held: 1. This lacks jurisdiction hear tort portion case but has portion. Certain judgments can treated final jurisdictional even though proceedings are take courts. Cox Broadcasting Corp. v. Cohn, 420 469, 477-483 (outlining exceptions finality rule). In resolved dispute; it determine litigation's outcome. And do action. Accordingly, dismisses writ certiorari want jurisdiction. However, falls squarely first exception. Court's ruling amendment invalid, left subject amount fees remaining decided remand, is "conclusive" federal issue "the outcome preordained," id., 479. Pp. 140-143. 2. Both original fall within Commerce Clause power. 143-148. (a) Before addressing constitutional question, 409's scope. Evidentiary privileges, construed narrowly because they impede search truth. See Baldrige Shapiro, 455 345, 360. agrees States protects compiled does protect unrelated held agencies information, some point "collected" purposes. Although offer narrowest interpretation — created responsible seeking reading leaves (changing "compiled collected") no real substantial effect. By contrast, document initially prepared agency, becomes when copy gives too broad reach, thus conflicting rule privileges should narrowly. Government's suffers from neither these faults. effect making clear just compiles also collects other sources those takes narrower view privilege inapplicable pursuing objectives. reinforced history. "[A]s address confusion scope overcome judicial raw wished make intended effort-free tool litigation against governments, text evinces intent plaintiffs worse off than have never existed. 143-146. (b) Section exercise authority "regulate use channels interstate commerce" "to regulate instrumentalities commerce," Lopez, 514 549, 558. assist reducing conditions Nations' commerce, impeded fully requirements lest become easier targets negligence actions providing centralized location would-be obtain much necessary sue. reasonably believe adopting measure eliminating unforeseen side information-gathering requirement result more diligent efforts, candid discussions locations, better informed decisionmaking, greater roads, both viewed legislation aimed improving commerce increasing protections commerce. 146-148. Certiorari dismissed part; 144 Wash. 2d 696, 31 P. 3d 628, reversed remanded. THOMAS, J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. 1 CERTIORARI TO THE SUPREME COURT WASHINGTON. 2 Daniel R. Hamilton argued cause petitioner. With him briefs Susan Jensen. 3 Deputy Solicitor General Clement intervenor. Olson, Assistant Attorney McCallum, Kneedler, Malcolm L. Stewart, Paul Q. Wolfson, Mark B. Stern, Alisa Klein, Kirk K. Van Tine, M. Geier, Dale Andrews, Laura Fentonmiller, Edward V. A. Kussy. 4 Salvador Mungia respondents. brief Darrell Cochran J. Bradley Buckhalter.* 5 JUSTICE THOMAS 6 We connection certain highway programs being discovered trials, valid Constitution. 7 * A 8 Beginning Highway Safety 1966, endeavored our highways encouraging closer cooperation road improvement projects. end, several identifying need improvements. See, e. g., §§ 130 (Railway-Highway Crossings), (Highway Bridge Replacement Rehabilitation Program), (Hazard Program). Of relevance (Program) funds Program, Specifically, 152(a)(1) requires them 9 "conduct systematically maintain engineering survey all roads identify sections, elements, including roadside obstacles unmarked poorly marked may constitute danger motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians, assign priorities correction establish implement schedule projects improvement." 10 Not long Secretary Transportation reported objected 152. H. Doc. 94-366, p. 36 (1976). According Secretary's report, feared aid made. Ibid. 1983, concerned (DOT) recommended prohibiting Program. Brief Amicus Curiae Alabama Dept. Boone, O. T. 1991, 90-1412, 10, cert. denied, 502 937 (1991). 11 expressed DOT, provided: 12 "Notwithstanding provision law, reports, surveys, schedules, lists, purpose identifying[,] evaluating, planning enhancement potential sites, roadway conditions, railway-highway crossings, pursuant 130, 144, title developing construction project implemented utilizing Federal-aid shall considered damages arising occurrence mentioned addressed data." Surface Uniform Relocation Assistance 132, 101 Stat. 170. 13 became dispute among Some courts, example, concluded admissibility discovery. although inadmissible trial, nevertheless remained Ex parte Dept., 572 So. 389 (Ala. 1990), denied sub nom. (1991); Light New York, 149 Misc. 75, 80, 560 N. Y. 962, 965 (Ct. Cl. 1990); Indiana Transp. Overton, 555 E. 510, 512 (Ind. App. 1990). Other courts reasoned governmental application admissible discoverable. Wiedeman Dixie Elec. Membership Corp., 627 170, 173 (La. 1993), 511 1127 (1994). also, Southern Pacific Co. Yarnell, 181 Ariz. 316, 319-320, 890 611, 614-615, 516 (1995) (applying same context Railway-Highway Crossings program); Tardy Norfolk 103 Ohio 372, 378-379, 659 817, 820-821 (same), allowed, 74 St. 1408, 655 187 (Table). 14 developments, two ways. discovery, see Intermodal Efficiency 1035(a), 105 1978, "compiled," National System Designation 323, 109 591. amended, now reads: 15 identifying, proceeding B 16 wife, Clementina Guillen-Alejandre, July 5, 1996, 168th Street East (168/B intersection), Pierce County, Washington. accident, renewed April 3, 26, occurred. 17 August 16, occurred 168/B intersection.1 responsive After informal failed resolve dispute, 18 (PDA).2 favor ordered documents3 appealed. 19 separate served interrogatories request, once again relying compel, moved judge's order. 20 review, affirmed below. interpreting distinguished between one view, subsequently used whereas protected, so compilation efforts. Applying principles, draft memorandum county's works director, n. supra rest "carefully reports hands sheriff law enforcement agencies, `collected compiled' Works Department." 96 862, 873, 982 123, (1999). doubt constitutionality applied question raised. Id., 875, 2d, 26. appealed again. 21 decision followed three-step analysis. rules 22 Second, examining rejected, "unsound principle unworkable practice," 727, 646 (2001), drew distinction "as by" county sheriff. Rather, purported turn custodian issue. Having proceeded consider Clauses Article I Spending Clause, found "barring `raw data' originally routine simply `collected' for, reasons, statute" serve "valid interest operation program." 737, 3d, 651. "integral part" regulation federal-aid system and, thus, upheld Hodel Indiana, 452 314 (1981). 742, 654. Finally, ruled that, require enforce protecting "that but-for mandates . [§]152," "neither `necessary' nor `proper' extend purposes." 743, 654-655. 24 light conclusion power Constitution, therefore, binding States, But, rather determining record instance.4 25 Three justices concurred result. They disagreed majority's precludes plaintiff obtaining 26 statute, 535 1033 (2002), reverse. II 27 merits claims, we Under 28 1257(a), "[f]inal decrees rendered highest where validity drawn ground repugnant Constitution States." general matter, reviewed Court, "`as effective determination merely intermediate steps therein.'" Jefferson City Tarrant, 522 81 (1997) (quoting Market Railroad Comm'n Cal., 324 548, 551 (1945)). acknowledged, however, (1975) e.g., ASARCO Inc. Kadish, 490 605, 611-612 (1989) exceptions); Duquesne Barasch, 488 299, 306-307 (same). contend below 1257(a) proceedings. partially correct. 29 already described, us consisting actions: Washington's correct case, litigation. Nor outlined supra, action.5 dismiss 30 reach different suit, asked disclosed PDA.6 invalid—thus, limiting offered purposes—the effectively interpreted Appeals. unprotected continued PDA. read below, remains remand entitled. then, exception preordained."7 Therefore, III merits. essentially expansive argues erred enact statute's 32 33 petitioner, (here sheriff) Department) report soon sent application. Consequently, person either able it.8 37-44. 34 22-23, given entitled them. 35 intervenor, proposes third interpretation: currently it, 28-36. concede defensible statute. 23-24, 25. interpretation, sheriff, Department, department obtained agree often recognized statutes establishing evidentiary 360 (1982) ("A granting strictly `to avoid suppress otherwise competent evidence'" Regis Paper 368 208, 218 (1961)). University Pennsylvania EEOC, 493 182, 189 (1990). generally Nixon, 418 683 (1974). Here, establishes privilege; accordingly, extent permits, construe 37 interpretations above, clearly Nevertheless, decline adopt render language futility. said "[w]hen acts amend presume intends effect." Stone INS, 386, 397 (1995). Yet, amendment, i.e., That "real effect" cannot understanding 38 Petitioner's reading, while permissible, possible, Baldrige, 39 proposed Government, generates, compiles, And, interpretation. 40 Our history amendment. noted, 134-136. amending governments. Compare, Robertson Union Co., 954 F. 1433, 1435 (CA8 1992) (recognizing "prohibit federally required record-keeping `tool ... private litigation'" 1990)), authorities cited 134-135. Put differently, there reason interpret involved administering if, adopted, free very agencies. 41 conclude is. 42 well established commerce." 558 (citing Darby, 312 100, 114 (1941); Heart Atlanta Motel, 379 241, 256 (1964)). addition, "is empowered persons things threat come intrastate activities." Shreveport Rate Cases, 234 342 (1914); 222 (1911); Perez 402 146 (1971)). 43 discussed, 133, impeded, actions. circumstances, collect ultimately, such, power.9 reversed, inconsistent opinion.10 44 ordered. Notes: Briefs ofamici curiae urging reversal Louisiana Richard Ieyoub, General, John Young James Dawson, Attorneys Lawrence Durant; et al. Christine Gregoire, Washington, William Berggren Collins Michael Tardif, Senior respective jurisdictions follows: Bruce Botelho Alaska, Robert Butterworth Florida, Earl I. Anzai Hawaii, Ryan Illinois, Steve Carter Joseph Curran, Jr., Maryland, Frankie Sue Del Papa Nevada, Tenorio Torres Northern Mariana Islands, Betty D. Montgomery Ohio, Hardy Myers Oregon, Fisher Pennsylvania, Shurtleff Utah, Sorrell Vermont; Association American Railroads G. Phillips, Stephen Kinnaird, Saphire; Product Liability Advisory Council, Inc., Kenneth Geller Sullivan. ofamicus affirmance Trial Lawyers America Jeffrey White. amici Foundation Debra Stephens Bryan Harnetiaux; Lynn Baker Ms. Baker, pro se; Whitmer Charles Wiggins, W. Masters, Keith Kessler. letter dated October 28, clarified his "`I specifically written issue.'" Quoted 703, 633 (2001). explained, "`a preparation reports.'" inid., 703-704, 633. provides: "Upon having opportunity inspect superior maintained show why allow inspection copying specific class records. burden proof permit accordance exempts prohibits whole records." Rev. Code 42.17.340(1) (2000). encompassed following materials: (1) list 1990 through Patrol, showing location, date, time, nature conducting study intersection; (2) collision diagram 1989, employee investigating (3) 18, 1988, employee; (4) accidents; (5) director council member, 704-705, 1; 634, 745, 655-656 firstCox exception, conclusive foreordain might prove negligent. 479 (1975). Moreover, victory moot issue; implicated. 480. prevail merits, raise appeal. Even adheres "law case," still entered. 82-83 (1997). short, help either. S., 481. "reversal preclusive litigation," 482-483, remain try disputed documents. "merely character of, in, come." 483. Thus, finds refuge fourth seek Appeals' documents—a 3,supra—was fact contained derived activities. 874, Reply Opposition 4,supra. awarded unless prevailing party "an affirmative entire case." Overlake Fund Bellevue, 70 789, 795, 855 706, 710 (1993); Tacoma News, Tacoma-Pierce County Health 55 515, 525, 778 1066, 1071 (1989), 113 1037, 785 825 (1990) conclusively determined. Indeed, suggesting containing testimony materials. 44. (offering possible statute). officer who witnessed permitted testify summarized what he saw later But 45-46 (asserting apart 409) decide passing violates principles dual sovereignty embodied Tenth Amendment exercising sovereign 44-46. precise argument, reasoning instead beyond enumerated powers. ordinarily instance issues here. See,e. Collegiate Athletic Assn. Smith, 525 459, 470 disposition issue, certiorari: standing assert "states' rights" legislative executive branches approve accept benefits terms question.

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