Johanns v. Livestock Marketing Association
United States Supreme Court
544 U.S. 550 (2005)
Relevant factsFree
Under the Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985, the Secretary of Agriculture imposed a mandatory assessment on cattle and beef sales and importation to fund generic beef advertising through an appointed board; two associations of assessment-paying members (plaintiffs) sued, arguing the assessment unconstitutionally compelled their members to subsidize speech they disagreed with. The district court ruled for the plaintiffs, the Eighth Circuit affirmed, and the Supreme Court granted certiorari.
IssueFree
Whether a mandatory assessment imposed by a government agency to fund generic advertising to promote a particular product is subject to First Amendment scrutiny.