No. 25-861

Minnesota Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors, et al. v. Keith M. Ellison, Attorney General of Minnesota, et al.

Lower Court: Eighth Circuit
Docketed: 2026-01-20
Status: Pending
Type: Paid
Response Waived
Tags: constitutional-rights enforcement-authority federal-court-review first-amendment judicial-precedent state-law
Key Terms:
Arbitration ERISA FirstAmendment LaborRelations JusticiabilityDoctri
Latest Conference: 2026-02-20
Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether state officials may disclaim enforcement authority over a law to avoid federal court review of the law's constitutionality

Question Presented (from Petition)

Minnesota enacted a law prohibiting employers from requiring employees to attend meetings in which the employer discusses its views on political or religious matters – otherwise known as “captive audience” meetings – and requiring them to post a notice written by the State notifying employees of this law. The law clearly violates this Court’s precedent declaring that employers have a F irst Amendment right to communicate their views to employees. Petitioners brought suit in federal court against Respondents who maintain enforcement authority over the law. Reversing the district court, the Eighth Circuit ordered dismissal of Petitioners’ suit, thereby conflicting with this Court’s holding in Whole Woman’s Health v. Jackson , 595 U.S. 30 (2021), and in further conflict with the Fifth, Sixth , Ninth , Tenth and Eleventh Circuits. The question presented is whether state officials may disclaim enforcement authority over a law to avoid federal court review of the law’s constitutionality where the statute places clear enforcement authority over, or an obligation to enforce, the law with those state officials.

Docket Entries

2026-02-04
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 2/20/2026.
2026-01-23
Waiver of Keith M. Ellison, in his Official Capacity as Attorney General of Minnesota, Nicole Blissenbach, in her Official Capacity as the Commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry, Timothy Walz, in his Official Capacity as Governor of Minnesota of right to respond submitted.
2026-01-23
Waiver of right of respondent Keith M. Ellison, in his Official Capacity as Attorney General of Minnesota, et al. to respond filed.
2026-01-15
Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due February 19, 2026)

Attorneys

Keith M. Ellison, in his Official Capacity as Attorney General of Minnesota, et al.
Elizabeth Catherine KramerOffice of the Minnesota Attorney General, Respondent
Keith M. Ellison, in his Official Capacity as Attorney General of Minnesota, Nicole Blissenbach, in her Official Capacity as the Commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry, Timothy Walz, in his Official Capacity as Governor of Minnesota
Elizabeth Catherine KramerOffice of the Minnesota Attorney General, Respondent
Minnesota Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors, National Federation of Independent Business, Inc., and Laketown Electric Corporation
Thomas R. RevnewLittler Mendelson P.C., Petitioner
Thomas R. RevnewLittler Mendelson P.C., Petitioner