Legal Document

352 U.S. 212 77 Supreme Court Reporter 303 1 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 261 UNITED STATES of America, Appellant,v.Ludenia HOWARD, Trading as Stokes Fish Company. Number 52. Argued Dec. 6, 1956. Decided Jan. 14, 1957. Mr. Leonard baron Sand, New York City, for appellant. Clarence L. Thacker, Kissimmee, Fla., appellee. Justice REED delivered the opinion Court. A federal criminal information was filed by against Ludenia Howard, trading Company, appellee, in District Southern Florida, charging her with a violation Federal Black Bass Act May 20, 1926, amended, chapter 346, 44 Statutes-at-Large 576, 46 845, 61 517, 66 736, 16 Code KF62 §§ 851—854, Annotated KF65 U5 851—854. The provides: 2 'It shall be unlawful any person to deliver * transportation from State black bass or other fish, if (1) such is contrary law which fish transported *.' § 852, 852. 3 stated that appellee across Florida border 'laws Florida.' relevant fishing provisions consisted rules and regulations Game Fresh Water Commission penalty imposed legislature rules. Court, however, held do not constitute 'law of' within meaning on appellee's motion quashed information. An appeal brought here pursuant 18 3731, 3731. We noted probable jurisdiction. 351 980, 76 1046. 4 Florida's created 1942 constitutional amendment (Art. IV, 30, Constitution F.S.A.) provides that: 5 'after January 1, 1943, management, restoration, conservation regulation fresh water vested (the) It empowered same 6 'to fix bag limits open closed seasons, state-wide, regional local basis, it may find appropriate, regulate manner method taking, transporting, storing using further 7 'The Legislature enact laws aid this *. All fixing penalties enacted time time.' 8 Pursuant amendment, authorized exercise 9 'the powers, duties authority granted article constitution adoption rules, orders Fla.Stat.Ann., 372.021. 10 Another statute makes misdemeanor violate 11 'any rule, order game commission Fla.Stat.1955, 372.83. 12 Rule 14.01 Commission's prohibits certain outside State; Howard accused breaking.1 Because failure state crime, we assume alleged acts occurred she subject prosecution 372.83 Statutes, F.S.A., set out above. 13 sole question presented whether regulations, enforced 'law' term used Act. 14 This has repeatedly ruled, circumstances, administrative agencies are State. In Grand Trunk Western R. company versus Railroad Indiana, 221 400, 403, 31 537, 55 L.Ed. 786, stated, citing Prentis Atlantic Coast Line Co., 211 210, 226, 29 67, 69, 53 150: 15 (of Indiana Commission) contract clause And, Lake Erie & W.R. Public Utilities Comm., 249 422, 424, 39 345, 63 684, said an public utilities 'being legislative its nature Congress regulating our jurisdiction.' similar statement found Arkadelphia Milling St. Louis S.W.R. 134, 141, 237, 240, 517. 17 suggested action court below supported Eaton, 144 677, 764, 36 591. believe case inapposite. involved manufacturers dealers oleomargarine under 24 209. Section provided knowing willful do, cause done, things required law.' keep records. requirement upon wholesalers made Commissioner Internal Revenue 20. defendant Eaton case, wholesaler, failed proper records, but he had committed crime 18: 'Regulations prescribed president heads departments, congress, law, so lawfully support done them accordance them, thus have, sense, force law; does follow thing make neglect offense citizen, where distinctly offense.' Id., at page 688, 767. 19 particular mention fact expressly books, no wholesalers. Id.2 Singer States, 323 338, 65 282, 286, 89 285, said: 20 'United turned special facts, Grimaud, 220 506, 518, 519, 480, 483, 484, 563, emphasizes. been construed fixed principle can never purposes prosecutions. be, depending structure statute.' 21 See also Caha 152 211, 219, 513, 515, 38 415. Here, beyond Legislature, Fla.Stat., 372.83, intended did infraction punishable misdemeanor. 22 Appellee argues change they lack sufficient substance permanence Florida. need decide now agency could rule temporary unaccompanied procedural niceties making declaration should considered These considerations formed part below. Moreover demonstrated character. 23 promulgation regulated 372.021 enactment. effective until 30 days after filing certified copy secretary state. directs type office each county judge changes must published newspaper general circulation.3 advised Government's brief compiles code book circulated without cost all judges, directed statute, principal sporting goods license dealers. seem available anyone requesting Commission. told practice conduct hearings give everyone opportunity air his own views proposed None these assertions challenged recognize above-described procedures mandatory employed enactment cannot ascertained record time. However, asserted comply suggests potent answer charge impermanence. Moreover, inappropriate us note some species covered prohibited since 1927. Fla.Stat.Ann.1943, 372.29; Acts Fla.1929, 13644, 35. 25 prefers entrust wild life program Such preference 28 have full regulatory commissions. Only reserve their legislatures. Sport Fishing Institute Bulletin, 26, Page 60 (January 1954). document prepared Department Interior submitted Government request shows even year first passed, significant rule-making power entrusted commissions commissioners States.4 26 That congressional purpose extend enforcement guarantees most reasonable interpretation history 1947 applicable accompanied Senate House reports containing following language: 27 bill supplement applying protection fish. become ineffectual when taken cross line. If protect important natural resource, collaborate protective point jurisdiction ends.' S.Rep. 288, 80th Cong., 1st Sess. 2; H.R.Rep. 986, Accordingly hold phrase State,' Act, sufficiently broad encompass Reversed remanded. 'No transport, transport sale, large small mouth bass, speckled perch, jack, shell cracker, warmouth red breast, pike, stump knocker, sun Canadian sunfish, bream; paid subsequent prior decision, amended Oleomargine require keeping books pages 685 686, 766, factor discussing 220, 516, Most fishermen secure (they obtained judge) 'license contain back thereof synopsis state.' 372.69, F.S.A. Whether printed license, indeed, shown stage proceedings. See, e.g., Supplement Codes General Laws California 1925—1927, 23, 1925, (Act 2895), St.Cal.1925, 595, West's Ann.Fish Code, 7708; Maine, 1917, Laws, 1912, 318; Conservation Law, McKinney's Consol.Laws, 65, 150 et seq.

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