Document: 528 U.S. 141120 S.Ct. 666145 L.Ed.2d 587 NOTICE: This opinion is subject to formal revision before publication in the preliminary print of United States Reports. Readers are requested notify Reporter Decisions, Supreme Court States, Washington, D. C. 20543, any typographical or other errors, order that corrections may be made goes press.JANET RENO, ATTORNEY GENERAL, et al., PETITIONERSv.CHARLIE CONDON, GENERAL OF SOUTH CAROLINA, al. No. 98 1464. SUPREME COURT THE UNITED STATES Argued November 10, 1999 Decided January 12, 2000 CERTIORARI TO APPEALS FOR FOURTH CIRCUIT Syllabus State departments motor vehicles (DMVs) require drivers and automobile owners provide personal information, which include a person's name, address, telephone number, vehicle description, Social Security medical photograph, as condition obtaining driver's license registering an automobile. Finding many sell this information individuals businesses for significant revenues, Congress enacted Driver's Privacy Protection Act 1994 (DPPA), establishes regulatory scheme restricts States' ability disclose without consent. South Carolina law conflicts with DPPA's provisions. Following enactment, its Attorney General filed suit, alleging DPPA violates Tenth Eleventh Amendments Constitution. Concluding incompatible principles federalism inherent Constitution's division power between Federal Government, District granted summary judgment permanently enjoined enforcement against officers. The Fourth Circuit affirmed, concluding constitutional federalism. Held: In enacting DPPA, did not run afoul enunciated New York v. 505 144, Printz 521 898. Government correctly asserts proper exercise Congress' authority regulate interstate commerce under Commerce Clause, Const., Art. I, §8, cl. 3. have historically sold used by insurers, manufacturers, direct marketers, others engaged contact customized solicitations. also stream various public private entities matters related motoring. Because drivers' personal, identifying is, context, article commerce, sale release into business sufficient support congressional regulation. See Lopez, 514 549, 558 559. does conclusively resolve constitutionality because held federal statutes were invalid, lacked legislative over matter, but those violated Amendment principles. However, violate case instead governed Baker, 485 505, statute prohibiting from issuing unregistered bonds was upheld it regulated state activities, rather than seeking control influence manner parties, id., at 515. Like statute, their sovereign capacity own citizens; rather, regulates databases. It Legislature enact laws regulations, issue York, officials assist regulating individuals, considered Printz. Thus, consistent set forth cases. need address Carolina's argument unconstitutionally exclusively means generally applicable law. universe participate suppliers market initial resellers redisclosers commerce. Pp. 6 10.155 F.3d 453, reversed. Rehnquist, J., delivered unanimous Court. Opinion Chief Justice Rehnquist 1 (DPPA Act), 18 U.S.C. § 2721 2725 (1994 ed. Supp. III), disclosure contained records (DMVs). We hold 144 (1992), 898 (1997). 2 resale DMVs. DMVs found turn, businesses. See, e.g., 139 Cong. Rec. 29466, 29468, 29469 (1993); 140 7929 (1994) (remarks Rep. Goss). These sales generate revenues States. Travis Reno, 163 1000, 1002 (CA7 1998) (noting Wisconsin Department Transportation receives approximately $8 million each year information). 3 prohibits DMV, officer, employee, contractor thereof, "knowingly disclos[ing] otherwise mak[ing] available person entity about individual obtained department connection record." 2721(a). defines "personal information" "that identifies individual, including individual's social security driver identification (but 5-digit zip code), disability information," "information on vehicular accidents, driving violations, status." §2725(3). A "motor record" defined "any record pertains operator's permit, title, registration, card issued vehicles." §2725(1). 4 ban apply if consented data. When we certiorari case, provided DMV could obtain consent either case-by-case basis imply opportunity block when they received renewed licenses avail themselves opportunity. §§2721(b)(11), (13), (d). Public Law 106 69, 113 Stat. 986, signed October 9, 1999, changed "opt-out" alternative "opt-in" requirement. Under amended failure take advantage state-afforded disclosure, must affirmative use surveys, marketing, solicitations, restricted purposes. Pub. L. 986 §§350(c), (d), (e), App. Brief Petitioners 1(a), 2(a). 5 prohibition nonconsensual disclosures number statutory exceptions. For example, requires "for safety theft, emissions, product alterations, recalls, advisories, performance monitoring dealers removal non-owner original owner manufacturers carry out purposes titles I IV Anti Car Theft 1992, Automobile Information Disclosure Act, Clean Air chapters 301, 305, 321 331 title 49." 2721(b) ed., III) (citations omitted). permits purposes.1 provisions do solely redisclosure persons who DMV. 2721(c) III). general, allows one aforementioned permissible further Ibid. If has redisclose purpose. Additionally, actor specifically direct-marketing resell uses, otherwise. Any rediscloses resells must, five years, maintain whom disclosed permitted purpose redisclosure. 7 several penalties imposed actors fail comply requirements. makes unlawful "person" knowingly provisions, make false representation record. §§2722(a) (b). criminal fine, §§2723(a), 2725(2). obtains, discloses, uses liability civil action brought pertains. §2724. While exclude agencies, §2725(2), agency maintains "policy practice substantial noncompliance" maybe penalty more $5,000 per day noncompliance. §2723(b). 8 law, State's fills form listing requester's name stating will solicitation. S. Code Ann. §§56 510 56 540 (Supp. 1998). retains copy all requests records, required copies relating upon written petition. §56 520. authorizes charge fee releasing allow prohibit certain commercial activities. 530, 540. 9 General, respondent Condon, suit Carolina, concluded Government. court accordingly Act's 972 F. 977, 979 Appeals 155 453 (1998). certiorari, 526 1111 (1999), now reverse. 10 course begin time-honored presumption "constitutional power." Close Glenwood Cemetery, 107 466, 475 (1883); see INS Chadha, 462 919, 944 (1983). 11 3.2 bases Clause fact "thin[g] commerce," therefore 559 (1995)). agree contention. Government's intrastate activities gathering, maintaining, distributing sufficiently impact create base legislation. 12 But context DPPA. Printz, Amendment. commandeered process requiring legislature particular kind said: 13 "While powers govern Nation directly, areas intimate concern Constitution never been understood confer according instructions. Coyle Smith, 221 559, 565 (1911)." U.S., 162. 14 invalidated provision Brady commanded "state local officers conduct background check prospective handgun purchasers," 902. 15 "We cannot compel enforce program. Today circumvent conscripting directly. neither directives problems, nor command officers, political subdivisions, administer program." Id., 935. 16 contends "thrusts day-to-day responsibility administering complex provisions," Respondents thereby unwilling implementors policy," 11.3 emphasizes employees learn substantive restrictions, summarized above, notes these consume employees' time thus resources. hang potential punishment should Act. 17 assertion effort part employees, reject laid down think, instead, our decision (1988). prohibited "regulate[d] activities," "seek[ing] parties." noted: "The NGA [National Governor's Association] nonetheless §310 administrative legislatures had amend registered devote determine how best implement bond system. Such 'commandeering' however, inevitable consequence activity. regulation demands compliance. That wishing engage activity sometimes standards commonplace presents no defect." 19 citizens. individuals. conclude 20 As final turn unconstitutional exclusively. essence only "generally applicable" laws, well question whether general applicability requirement applicable. 21 Reversed. Notes "by government agency" acting behalf Federal, carrying functions." 2721(b)(1) divulge state-authorized operation safety, §2721(b)(14); car prevention promotion §2721(b)(2); verify accuracy submitted prevent fraud pursue legal remedies revealed inaccurate, §2721(b)(3); court, agency, self-regulatory body proceedings, §2721(b)(4); research so long data pertain, §2721(b)(5); insurers claims investigations, antifraud rating underwriting, §2721(b)(6); towed impounded, §2721(b)(7); licensed investigative agencies services 2721(b)(8); toll transportation services, §2721(b)(10). lower courts, asserted lawfully pursuant §5 Fourteenth 463 465 (1998); 977 979, 992 rejected argument. F.3d, 465; Supp., 992. petition briefs and, oral argument, Solicitor expressly disavowed reliance it. information. Rather, asks entirety, even applied purely sellers.

Category: 9