Category Archives: Preemption

Big Tech continues drive to override state AI laws

The news this week is the ongoing Big Tech campaign seeking a federal law to preempt state regulations on artificial intelligence. As reported, some members of Congress are attempting to push an AI preemption provision in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a must-pass federal bill. The provision would block state laws from regulating the […]

Second Circuit rejects industry challenge to dietary supplements for minors law

In 2023, New York adopted a law prohibiting the sale of over-the-counter diet pills or dietary supplements “for weight loss or muscle building” to anyone under age 18. It defined the covered supplements as those “labeled, marketed, or otherwise presented for the purpose of achieving weight loss or muscle building.” Under the name “Council for […]

9th Circuit Holds Cantero Doesn’t Overrule its National Bank Act Preemption Cases

In 2024, the Supreme Court decided Cantero v. Bank of America, unanimously vacating the Second Circuit’s decision finding a New York law on interest on escrow accounts for home mortgage loans preempted  by the National Bank Act. At the same time, the Court granted, vacated, and remanded Kivett v. Flagstar Bank, a decision from the […]

Divided California Supreme Court holds non-payment arbitration waiver not preempted

Last Monday, the California Supreme Court issued its decision in Hohenshelt v. Superior Court of Los Angeles County, and held that California Code of Civil Procedure section 1281.98, a provision of the California Arbitration Act that governs the payment of fees in employment and consumer arbitrations, is not preempted by the Federal Arbitration Act. That provision […]

Ninth Circuit holds unfair business practices claims against credit unions are preempted

The National Credit Union Administration has promulgated regulations regarding the applicability of state laws to federal credit unions, including 12 C.F.R. s. 701.35(c), which, after setting out how a federal credit union may may determine the types of fees affecting the maintenance of its accounts, provides: “State laws regulating such activities are not applicable to […]

First Circuit Rejects Preemption and Vagueness Challenges to Puerto Rico Credit Card Surcharge Ban

In 2008, Puerto Rico adopted a law prohibiting merchants from charging credit card surcharges, while allowing merchants to offer cash discounts. In 2013, the legislature dropped the provision allowing cash discounts, and the Puerto Rico Department of Consumer Affairs has since issued an interpretation that cash discounts are forbidden. A group of merchants sued, arguing […]

Ninth Circuit Rejects CPSA Preemption Challenge to Oregon Toxic Chemicals Law

Oregon enacted the Toxic-Free Kids Act, which directs the Oregon Health Authority to establish and maintain a list of high-priority chemicals of concern for children’s health. Manufacturers of consumer products with those chemicals to provide certain notices are required to publish notices, and, after several years, are prohibited from selling those products in the state. […]

Supreme Court addresses National Bank Act preemption

The Supreme Court today issued a unanimous decision on an issue concerning the scope of preemption under the National Bank Act. In this case, a borrower sued Bank of America for failing to pay interest on his mortgage escrow account, as required by New York law. The bank argued that the National Bank Act preempts […]

Second Circuit Upholds NY Affordable Broadband Act

In 2021, New York enacted the Affordable Broadband Act (ABA), which requires internet service providers to offer broadband internet to low-income New Yorkers at reduced prices. Providers sued, arguing that the law was both field preempted by the Communications Act of 1934 (as amended by the Telecommunications Act of 1996), and conflict preempted by the […]

Court partially vacates NJ law requiring multilingual credit-file disclosures

In 2019, New Jersey amended its state fair credit reporting act to require national credit reporting agencies to provide, upon request, credit file disclosures to New Jersey consumers in certain languages other than English. An industry association sued, alleging the statute was preempted by the federal fair credit reporting act, and violated the First Amendment. […]