United States v. State of Florida and Texas

Background

This original action is a dispute involving the federal government and the states of Florida and Texas. The Court considered procedural motions, including a request to defer consideration and a separate request from Texas to appoint a Special Master. The Court denied the motion to defer and granted Texas’s request, naming Judge Charles L. Powell as Special Master to handle certain steps in the case on the Court’s behalf.

Reasoning

The central questions were whether to delay proceedings and whether to give an appointed official authority to manage the next steps. The Court chose not to delay and explained that a Special Master should be empowered to organize and carry out many procedural tasks. The order gives the Special Master authority to set times and conditions for filing additional pleadings, to direct subsequent proceedings, to summon witnesses, to issue subpoenas, and to receive or call for evidence the Master deems necessary. The Master is also directed to prepare and submit reports to the Court as appropriate.

Real world impact

Practically, a judge acting as Special Master will control much of the case’s day-to-day progress: scheduling filings, collecting testimony and documents, and reporting findings to the Supreme Court. The Court authorized payment of the Master’s actual expenses and compensation for technical, stenographic, and clerical assistants, plus printing costs; those charges will be borne by the parties in proportions the Court later sets. If the Special Master’s post becomes vacant during the Court’s recess, the Chief Justice may designate a replacement with the same authority.