We blogged most recently on December 27, 2018, about several states’ challenges in the Supreme Court to animal welfare laws enacted by both California and Massachusetts. The states sought permission to file suit in the Supreme Court under the Court’s original jurisdiction. On January 7, 2019, the Court denied leave to file.

The Solicitor General had strongly recommended that the Court not exercise its original jurisdiction, asserting that a suit in federal district court would amply protect the challenging states and that the district court is far better equipped to resolve the complicated factual issues presented.

The newly sworn-in Attorney General of Missouri has announced that he will do exactly that.