Document: 486 U.S. 825 108 S.Ct. 2182 100 L.Ed.2d 836 John H. MACKEY, et al., Petitionersv.LANIER COLLECTION AGENCY & SERVICE, INC. No. 86-1387. Argued April 19, 1988. Decided June 17, Syllabus After respondent collection agency obtained money judgments against participants in an "employee welfare benefit plan" covered by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), its request to garnish debtors' plan benefits was granted a Georgia trial court. The State Court Appeals reversed, holding that Ga.Code Ann. § 18-4-22.1 (1982), barring garnishment "[f]unds or [an] . employee program subject [ERISA]," exempted from garnishment. Supreme concluding pre-empted ERISA and therefore under general state law. Held: 1. Section 18-4-22.1, which singles out plans for different treatment than non-ERISA procedures, is 514(a) ERISA, supersedes any law insofar as it "relate[s] to" ERISA-covered plans. statute's express reference brings within federal law's pre-emptive reach. Shaw v. Delta Air Lines, Inc., 463 85, 103 2890, 77 490. Moreover, possibility enacted help effectuate ERISA's underlying purposes not enough save pre-emption, since displaces all laws fall sphere, including those are consistent with substantive requirements. Metropolitan Life Ins. Co. Massachusetts, 471 724, 105 2380, 85 728. Pp. 829—830. 2. Congress did intend pre-empt state-law plan, even where purpose collect participants. 830-840. (a) Unlike Georgia's statute does single specially mention kind. argument that, because requires trustees such petitioners respond orders funds otherwise due beneficiary-debtors, incur substantial administrative burdens costs, consequently "relates meaning refuted certain other provisions, several aspects structure. Although 502(d) provides may "sue be sued" entity specified relief clearly contemplates enforcement although lawsuits run-of-the-mill contract tort claims relatively commonplace, provide mechanism collecting won either type action. In lieu provision, methods, garnishment, remain undisturbed ERISA. See Fed.Rule Civ.Proc. 69(a). 514(a)'s language support petitioners' attempt distinguish, permissible, creditors' from, impermissible, on behalf participants' judgment creditors. fact 206(d)(1)'s ban alienation assignment limited pension also supports conclusion preclude benefits. cannot read protect only benefits, but plans, 206(d)(1) demonstrates Congress' ability distinguish between when wished, construction would render substantially redundant superfluous. 831-838. (b) Petitioners' United States' contention Equity 1984—which pre-emption provision apply "qualified domestic relations orders"—establishes 514(a), originally enacted, pre-empts attachment procedures theory otherwise, amendment have been unnecessary, persuasive. An equally plausible explanation meant clarify original correcting court decisions had erroneously construed section pre-empting orders. Even if correct, opinion later 10 years earlier control issue. Rather, structure demonstrate intent procedures. 838-840. 256 Ga. 499, 350 S.E.2d 439, affirmed. WHITE, J., delivered Court, REHNQUIST, C.J., BRENNAN, MARSHALL, STEVENS, JJ., joined. KENNEDY, filed dissenting opinion, BLACKMUN, O'CONNOR, SCALIA, joined, post, p. 841. Ernest L. Mathews, Jr., petitioners. Brian J. Martin, New York City, amicus curiae, supporting petitioners, special leave Court. Maureen E. Mahoney curiae below, order respondent. Justice WHITE 1 issue here whether what extent statutes bearing governs 2 * Petitioners vacation holiday eligible employees southeastern States. workers draw their annually. defined 29 U.S.C. 1002(1).1 3 Respondent agency. It sought 23 who owed clients To these judgments, instituted action seeking request. App. Pet. Cert. A-21. statute, (1982),2 178 Ga.App. 467, 470, 343 492, 495 (1986). 4 reversed. 439 agreed terms barred this action, concluded "since purports regulate matter specifically provided for" scheme. Id., at 501, S.E.2d, 442. Through analysis preemption though were so protected. 1056(d) (1982 ed. Supp. IV). Since "prohibits permits," held, "in conflict with" scheme, it. Ga., Consequently, law, 18-4-20 seq. Supp.1987). 5 Because conflicting among courts questions presented here, we certiorari. 483 1004, 107 3227, 97 733 (1987). We now affirm Court's judgment.3 II 6 "any they hereafter relate statute. 1144(a). believe our precedents, 7 expressly refers to—indeed, solely applies to—ERISA n. 2, supra. "A 'relates to' normal sense phrase, has connection plan." 96-97, 2900, 490 (1983) (emphasis added). On occasions decision Shaw, reaffirmed rule, make "reference "relate 514(a). See, e.g., Pilot Dedeaux, 481 41, 47-48, 1549, 1552-1553, 95 39 (1987); 739, 2389, 728 (1985). fact, virtually taken "specifically designed affect plans" Cf. supra, U.S., S.Ct., 1553; 98, 2900. 8 Legislature purposes—the view see Ga.App., 493—is pre-emption. "The [of ] displace[s] requirements." 2389. particularly underscores point. There, found antidiscrimination expressed approve employment practices banned 97, 15, 98-99, 2900-01. Legislative "good intentions" do broad scope 9 adhering precedents area, hold procedures,4 suffices bring III A more complex question posed rejected entire procedure reserved Franchise Tax Board California Construction Laborers Vacation Trust Southern California, 1, 7, 26, 30, 2841, 2845, 2855, 30 (1983); question, one law,5 close one. believe, however, misapprehends scope. A. 11 antigarnishment discussed above, But recognized, force laws. Insurance must decide direct. 12 arguing assert garnished creditor participant, served summons, become parties suit, deposit demanded beneficiary-debtor—funds required pay beneficiaries. At very least, contend, subjected will costs. involve ways, submit necessarily 13 Unfortunately, itself offers no answer comply like enforce. view, structure, indicate forbid use mechanisms executing prevent receiving join unanimous faced bar respondent's.6 14 outset, consider types civil suits can brought First, 502 actions particular persons secure relief, recovery Suits enforce participant's rights 1132(e). 502, actions, 1132(d)(1), 1132(d)(2).7 H.R.Conf.Rep. 93-1280, 327 (1974), U.S.Code Cong. Admin.News 1974, 4639. 15 sued second well. These cases—lawsuits unpaid rent, failure creditors, torts committed plan—are commonplace.8 States (appearing ) concede suits, obviously affecting involving trustees, Tr. Oral Arg. 6, 11-12, 15. 16 two actions. Thus, while 502(d), execution so. Federal Rule Civil Procedure 69(a), suit above court, defers methods judgments. Huron Holding Corp. Lincoln Mine Operating Co., 312 183, 188-194, 61 513, 515-18, L.Ed. 725 (1941). must, matter, ERISA; there way plan. If circumstances, how respondent's proposed so.9 17 thus clear based collectable some way; permissible method. brief argued pre-empted, Brief 14, questioning oral argument, conceded used cases 6-7.10 18 Nonetheless, insist bars here. rests claim prohibits complying (like garnishment) "whether paid participant." 15-16. Under creditors 19 problem interpretation basis whatsoever "insofar plan[s]": distinction made generally participant time. As appointed put it, "there simply logical construe English 'relate invoked beneficiaries, beneficiaries [plan] itself." Amicus Curiae Support Judgment Below 24. allows employ attach (to plan)—if plan—we employing same mechanisms. 20 Where intended method extend anti-alienation protection Specifically, (with enumerated exceptions) 1056(d)(1). enact similar applicable case. doubly instructive. 21 includes us into being contrast, deals asks protecting benefits—but whole—from (recognizing numerous problems arise conclude could attachment). adopting 206(d)(1), demonstrated could, wished to, stay operation affects imply limitation portion another (§ 206(d)(1)). construing manner therefore, light reject suggested 22 way. give attribute it—barring benefits—we concede. 8-9, 14. noted past, hesitant adopt congressional enactment renders superfluous law.11 Ultimately, examining §§ ignoring before chose impose respect comprehensive regulatory scheme omissions significant ones. Massachusetts Mutual Russell, 473 134, 147, 3085, 3093, 87 96 Once sufficiently aware prospect attached and/or garnisheed—as evidenced adoption 206(d)(1)—Congress' silent concerning "acknowledged accepted practice, rather prohibiting it." Alessi Raybestos-Manhattan, 451 504, 516, 101 1895, 1902, 68 402 (1981). benefits.12 B 24 reading relies heavily 1984 1984, Pub.L. 98-397, 98 Stat. 1426. included changes felt necessary guarantee Nation's private retirement-income system fair women. S.Rep. 98-575, (1984), 2547; H.R.Rep. 98-655, (1984). Among Act's provisions amendments insured block orders"—generally, providing child alimony payments 1056(d)(3) ed., IV); 1144(b)(7) While primary focus removing spouses orders, time amended provision. apparently adopted latter response lower rulings interpreted enforcing orders.13 25 argue makes section, Otherwise, necessity amend relation There is, namely, thought error, clarifying section.14 Edward DeBartolo Florida Gulf Coast Bldg. Constr. Trades Council, 485 568, 585, 1392, 1403-04, 99 645 (1988); Airlines, Inc. McMann, 434 192, 218, 444, 457, 54 (1977) (MARSHALL, dissenting.) directed plans—and attachments garnishments well—the 200, 448, 7. "[T]he views subsequent form hazardous inferring one." Price, 361 304, 313, 80 326, 332, 334 (1960).15 26 Much said about sentence relevant House Committee Report relies: reasserts tax levy (see 9th Circuit .)." pt. 42. This statement suggest foreclosed akin again, views—absent direct resolution Instead, look determine question. "It [the section] controls." Teamsters States, 431 324, 354, 39, 1843, 1864, 52 396 (1977). inquiry given every considered context (save Ninth vacated Court). IV 27 Accordingly, agree (1982) below 28 Affirmed. whom SCALIA join, dissenting. When plan," broadly "state law" include "all laws, decisions, rules, regulations, having effect law." holds exempting State's With much I agree. holds, prohibit inconsistent both and, respect, dissent. 31 repeated emphasis reach 45-46, 1552, (1983). Further, contrary, phrase " 'given common-sense meaning, ' 47, 1553, quoting Life, turn 99, 2901. my require act garnishees, onerous obligation. 32 Compliance subjects confirm identity each owe respondent, calculate maximum entitlement fund period service date reply summons amount owes lesser entitlement. validity priority necessary, bear costs litigating issues. multiemployer covering potentially multiple varying apparent effects tenuous, remote, peripheral, accordingly pre-empted. 100, 21, 2901, 21. 33 confirmed exempt "domestic orders" majority acknowledges, obligations. ante, 838. disregards, strong structural implication created exception. Surely knew contexts. Indeed, recognizes much. 840, citing 42 Yet decided class then upon prescribed conditions. 1056(d)(3)(B)(i) IV) (defining order"). majority's nugatory carefully calibrated legislative choice. 34 say, does, 'views one.' Ante, 2190, (1960). For rejects postenactment musings Member committee, positive expression bound effect. enacting 514(b)(7) dispelled possible doubt circumstances infrequently calls manifest clearly, today disregards valid enactment. 35 reaching case, principal arguments. notes contemplated circumstances. notes, correctly, maintainable pursuant 1132. points further "against .." 833. reasons undisturbed. 36 relevance us. face used, process issues third party debt property his possession interest. plan's debtor, case quite different: forced garnishee fails analyze contexts never far too broad. And proceedings plainly unwarranted situations where, garnishee. situation repetitious costly burden monitoring controversies hundreds various 37 assumes point say "sue-and-be-sued" clause creates presumption susceptibility 834, 9, USPS, 467 512, 104 2549, 81 446 FHA Burr, 309 242, 60 488, 84 724 (1940). waiver sovereign immunity protected agencies legal process, writs context, perfectly sensible "presum[e] launched governmental commercial world endowed authority 'sue sued,' less amenable judicial enterprise be." 245, substantively limits treat enterprise. Our finding causes establish least 1552-1553 (holding applicable, plan); 103-106, 2903-04 (finding pre-empted). 38 set forth 2189. assignment, voluntary involuntary, assets. rejects, involuntary assignments assets effected application ordinarily partial redundancy statutory command, result lightly inferred. Nevertheless, why consideration weighty present context. alternative results total 514(b)(7), preferable, tolerate overlap surplus entirety. Second, deliberate, expansive encompasses many absence mandate, Some degree concomitant approach chosen Congress. strives avoid essentially analogous host overlaps foreseen. sufficient call applicability defeat enacted. 1002(3), types: Welfare health, legal, vacation, training 1002(1). Pension retirement income. 1002(2). involved provides, part: "Funds pension, retirement, amended, shall unless support. ." (1982). elected appear defend below. 484 809, 58, "different treatment" illustrated, disparate accorded statutes, exemption Compare 18-4-22 (Supp.1987) All litigants controls 11-13; 16-17 (filed Aug. 27, 1987); 9. aware, (that plans) Circuit's 679 F.2d 1307 That subsequently 420 abandoned position panel Board, Judge Tang dissent F.2d, 1310-1311. Misic Building Service Employees Health Trust, 789 1374, 1376-1377 (1986); Arizona Laborers, Teamsters, Cement Masons, Local 395 Fund Nevarez, 661 F.Supp. 365, 368-370 (Ariz.1987). Other likewise Union 212, Int'l Brotherhood Electrical Workers Credit Union, 735 1010, 1011 (CA6 1984) (per curiam ), aff'g 549 1299, 1300-1302 (SD Ohio 1982); First Nat. Bank Commerce Latiker, 432 So.2d 293, 296 (La.App.1983); IBEW-NECA Holiday Fund, 583 S.W.2d 154, 158-159 (Mo.1979). pertinent "(a) brought— "(1) beneficiary— "(B) recover him "(d) sue subchapter entity. "(2) Any enforceable Morris 804, Delivery Warehouse 116 Misc.2d 234, 455 N.Y.S.2d 517 (N.Y.City Civ.Ct.1982) (suit rent); Luxemburg Hotel Restaurant Bartenders 91 930, 398 589 (New Cty.Ct. 1977) attorneys' fees); Abofreka Alston Tobacco 288 S.C. 122, 341 622 (1986) (tort plan). supported clauses previous statutes. sued," process[es] incident proceedings" "[g]arnishment attachment." 245-246, 491, recent cases, 517-525, 2552-56, usual rule susceptible Following concession, (in somewhat contradictory argument) procedural device body rather, "substantive [that] liabilities none existed before." id., note, (at least), "procedural" new bases grounds recovery; create affixing liability. Rather postjudgment nothing prevailing 18-4-60 reinforced garnishor obtain writ sitting Georgia, ibid., description postgarnishment "procedural," see, Antico Antico, 241 294, 244 820, 821 (1978); Easterwood LeBlanc, 240 61, 239 383, 383-384 Such understanding example, available "[p]rocess judgment." 69(a) added); also, Moore, Lucas, K. Sinclair, Moore's Practice ¶ 69.04[3], 69-24 142, 3090, (1985); FEC National Conservative Political Action Committee, 470 480, 486, 1459, 1463, Park 'N Fly, Dollar 469 189, 197, 658, 663, 83 582 Generix Drug Corp., 460 453, 458-459, 1298, 1301, 75 198 Dickerson Banner Institute, 103, 118, 986, 994, 74 845 incongruous find (Supp.1987), escapes striking down 18-4-22.1—an exception reference, Part II, "singling out" divided [ERISA's] anti-assignment [§ orders." reason think dissent's suggestion "redundant" unsound. Post, 5-6. decade after adopted, interpretations liking. (given today) suffer evil rendering duplicative simultaneously sort redundancy—i.e., intentionally time, separate meaning—that 11, concedes plagues 845. Jefferson County Pharmaceutical Assn. Abbott Laboratories, 150, 165, 1011, 1021, 882 Consumer Product Safety Comm'n GTE Sylvania, 447 102, 116-118, 13, 2051, 2060-61, 64 766 (1980); Oscar Mayer Evans, 441 750, 758, 2066, 2072, 609 (1979). ignoring, "a will" forecloses 843. whatever else amounts involves most glean Congress, understood be—a command obedience discuss 98th actually insists did.

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