Case: Hastings Automotive v. Sebelius

0:14-cv-00265 | U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota

Filed Date: Jan. 29, 2014

Closed Date: Dec. 11, 2014

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This is one of many lawsuits brought challenging the Obama administration's 2012 Health and Human Services (HHS) mandate requiring employers to pay for employees' contraception and abortifacients via medical insurance coverage. Many religious hospitals, charities, universities, and other enterprises owned or controlled by religious organizations or individuals who opposed contraception on doctrinal grounds, argued the mandate violated their religious beliefs. For a full list of these cases plea…

This is one of many lawsuits brought challenging the Obama administration's 2012 Health and Human Services (HHS) mandate requiring employers to pay for employees' contraception and abortifacients via medical insurance coverage. Many religious hospitals, charities, universities, and other enterprises owned or controlled by religious organizations or individuals who opposed contraception on doctrinal grounds, argued the mandate violated their religious beliefs. For a full list of these cases please see our collection of the Contraception Insurance Mandate cases here.

On January 29, 2014, several privately-owned automobile dealerships filed this lawsuit challenging the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in the U.S District Court for the District of Minnesota against the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The ACA's contraception mandate required employers to provide health insurance coverage for all FDA-approved contraceptive methods, sterilization procedures, and patient education and counseling for women with reproductive capacity. The plaintiffs sought preliminary and permanent injunctions, alleging that the mandate infringed on their rights to free exercise of religion and free speech, the establishment of religion prohibition and equal protection, all in violation of the First and Fifth Amendments, and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). The plaintiffs, represented by the Liberty Institute, complained that no exemption or accommodation existed for for-profit organizations such as theirs, even if they objected to the Mandate based on sincerely-held religious beliefs.

On March 19, 2014, the District Court (Senior Judge Paul A. Magnuson) granted the plaintiffs' March 3, 2014, motion for stay until the Supreme Court issued a ruling in Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., No. 13-354 (later recaptioned as Burwell v. Hobby Lobby). Because the government agreed to not take action while waiting for the Supreme Court's ruling, the plaintiffs' request for preliminary injunction was denied as moot.

On May 28, 2014, the District Court granted the plaintiffs' renewed preliminary injunction and enjoined the defendants from enforcing the contraception mandate, again, while waiting for the Supreme Court's Hobby Lobby ruling, which was handed down on June 30, 2014. In 5-4 opinion by Justice Alito, the Supreme Court held that the HHS regulations imposing the contraceptive mandate violated RFRA, when applied to closely-held for-profit corporations. The Court emphasized, however, that alternative methods for meeting the government's asserted interest were available. Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, Stores, Inc., 134 S. Ct. 2751 (2014).

In this case, on December 10, 2014, the District Court entered a judgment--stipulated by both sides--that in light of the Supreme Court's Hobby Lobby decision, the government was enjoined from enforcing the contraception mandate against the plaintiffs.

In March of 2015, the Court granted an extension of time for the plaintiffs to move for attorneys' fees. There are no further entries on the docket, so we do not know how the issue was resolved. The case is now closed.

Summary Authors

Beth Richardson (7/8/2015)

Michael Beech (3/9/2019)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/13207843/parties/hastings-chrysler-center-inc-v-sebelius/


Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff

Dys, Jeremiah G. (Texas)

Kantke, Meghann F. (Minnesota)

Kovacs, Pamela (Minnesota)

Attorney for Defendant

Bildtsen, Ann M (Minnesota)

Humphreys, Bradley Philip (District of Columbia)

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

0:14-cv-00265

Docket

March 12, 2015

March 12, 2015

Docket
1

0:14-cv-00265

Verified Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief

Jan. 29, 2014

Jan. 29, 2014

Complaint
27

0:14-cv-00265

[Order]

March 19, 2014

March 19, 2014

Order/Opinion
34

0:14-cv-00265

Order

May 28, 2014

May 28, 2014

Order/Opinion
38

0:14-cv-00265

Order

Hastings Automotive v. Sebelius

Dec. 10, 2014

Dec. 10, 2014

Order/Opinion

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/13207843/hastings-chrysler-center-inc-v-sebelius/

Last updated March 2, 2024, 3:04 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief against All Defendants. ( Filing fee $ 400 receipt number 0864-3847536.) Filed by Hastings Automotive, Inc., Douglas W. Erickson, Hastings Chrysler Center, Inc.. Filer requests summons issued. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet) (Nash, Kathryn) (Entered: 01/29/2014)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

Jan. 29, 2014

Jan. 29, 2014

RECAP
2

RULE 7.1 DISCLOSURE STATEMENT. Plaintiffs Hastings Automotive, Inc. and Hastings Chrysler Center, Inc. for their disclosure statement under Rule 7.1 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure state that each of them are 100% owned by private persons and no publicly held corporation owns 10% or more of their stock. (Nash, Kathryn) Modified text on 1/29/2014 (lmb). (Entered: 01/29/2014)

Jan. 29, 2014

Jan. 29, 2014

PACER
3

RULE 7.1 DISCLOSURE STATEMENT. Plaintiffs Hastings Automotive, Inc. and Hastings Chrysler Center, Inc. for their disclosure statement under Rule 7.1 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure state that each of them are 100% owned by private persons and no publicly held corporation owns 10% or more of their stock. (Nash, Kathryn) Modified text on 1/29/2014 (lmb). (Entered: 01/29/2014)

Jan. 29, 2014

Jan. 29, 2014

PACER
4

MOTION for Admission Pro Hac Vice for Attorney Jeremiah G. Dys. Filing fee $ 100, receipt number 0864-3847778 by Douglas W. Erickson, Hastings Automotive, Inc., Hastings Chrysler Center, Inc.. (Nash, Kathryn) (Entered: 01/29/2014)

Jan. 29, 2014

Jan. 29, 2014

PACER
5

MOTION for Admission Pro Hac Vice for Attorney Jeffrey C. Mateer. Filing fee $ 100, receipt number 0864-3847788 by Douglas W. Erickson, Hastings Automotive, Inc., Hastings Chrysler Center, Inc.. (Nash, Kathryn) (Entered: 01/29/2014)

Jan. 29, 2014

Jan. 29, 2014

PACER
6

TEXT ONLY ENTRY: CLERK'S NOTICE OF INITIAL CASE ASSIGNMENT. Case assigned to Judge Paul A. Magnuson per Civil Rights All Other List and referred to Magistrate Judge Jeanne J. Graham. Please use case number 14-cv-265 (PAM/JJG). (TSS) (Entered: 01/29/2014)

Jan. 29, 2014

Jan. 29, 2014

PACER
7

Summons Issued as to Jacob Lew, Thomas Perez, Kathleen Sebelius, United States Department of Health and Human Services, United States Department of Labor, United States Department of Treasury. (TSS) (Entered: 01/29/2014)

Jan. 29, 2014

Jan. 29, 2014

PACER
8

TEXT ONLY ENTRY: ORDER granting 4 Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice of Attorney Jeremiah G Dys for Douglas W. Erickson,Hastings Automotive, Inc.,Hastings Chrysler Center, Inc.. Approved by Magistrate Judge Jeanne J. Graham on 1/30/2014. (MAP) (Entered: 01/30/2014)

Jan. 30, 2014

Jan. 30, 2014

PACER
9

TEXT ONLY ENTRY: ORDER granting 5 Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice of Attorney Jeffrey C Mateer for Douglas W. Erickson,Hastings Automotive, Inc.,Hastings Chrysler Center, Inc.. Approved by Magistrate Judge Jeanne J. Graham on 1/30/2014. (MAP) (Entered: 01/30/2014)

Jan. 30, 2014

Jan. 30, 2014

PACER
10

ORDER - In re dispositive-motion practice in cases assigned to Judge Magnuson. Signed by Senior Judge Paul A. Magnuson on August 13, 2012. (SMR) (Entered: 02/13/2014)

Feb. 13, 2014

Feb. 13, 2014

PACER
11

NOTICE of Appearance by Ann M Bildtsen on behalf of Jacob Lew, Thomas Perez, Kathleen Sebelius, United States Department of Health and Human Services, United States Department of Labor, United States Department of Treasury. (Bildtsen, Ann) (Entered: 02/20/2014)

Feb. 20, 2014

Feb. 20, 2014

PACER
12

MOTION for Admission Pro Hac Vice for U.S. Government Attorney Bradley Philip Humphreys by Jacob Lew, Thomas Perez, Kathleen Sebelius, United States Department of Health and Human Services, United States Department of Labor, United States Department of Treasury. (Bildtsen, Ann) (Entered: 02/20/2014)

Feb. 20, 2014

Feb. 20, 2014

PACER
13

TEXT ONLY ENTRY: ORDER granting 12 Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice of U.S. Government Attorney Bradley Philip Humphreys for Jacob Lew,Thomas Perez,Kathleen Sebelius,United States Department of Health and Human Services,United States Department of Labor,United States Department of Treasury. Approved by Magistrate Judge Jeanne J. Graham on 2/20/2014. (MAP) (Entered: 02/20/2014)

Feb. 20, 2014

Feb. 20, 2014

PACER
14

AMENDED CIVIL COVER SHEET re 1 Complaint, by Hastings Automotive, Inc. (Nash, Kathryn) Modified text on 2/24/2014 (lmb). (Entered: 02/24/2014)

Feb. 24, 2014

Feb. 24, 2014

PACER
15

SUMMONS Returned Executed by Hastings Automotive, Inc.. Jacob Lew served on 2/24/2014, answer due 4/25/2014. (Nash, Kathryn) (Entered: 03/05/2014)

March 5, 2014

March 5, 2014

PACER
16

SUMMONS Returned Executed by Hastings Automotive, Inc.. Kathleen Sebelius served on 2/24/2014, answer due 4/25/2014. (Nash, Kathryn) (Entered: 03/05/2014)

March 5, 2014

March 5, 2014

PACER
17

SUMMONS Returned Executed by Hastings Automotive, Inc.. United States Department of Health and Human Services served on 2/24/2014, answer due 4/25/2014. (Nash, Kathryn) (Entered: 03/05/2014)

March 5, 2014

March 5, 2014

PACER
18

SUMMONS Returned Executed by Hastings Automotive, Inc.. United States Department of Treasury served on 2/24/2014, answer due 4/25/2014. (Nash, Kathryn) (Entered: 03/05/2014)

March 5, 2014

March 5, 2014

PACER
19

SUMMONS Returned Executed by Hastings Automotive, Inc.. United States Department of Labor served on 2/24/2014, answer due 4/25/2014. (Nash, Kathryn) (Entered: 03/05/2014)

March 5, 2014

March 5, 2014

PACER
20

SUMMONS Returned Executed by Hastings Automotive, Inc.. Thomas Perez served on 2/24/2014, answer due 4/25/2014. (Nash, Kathryn) (Entered: 03/05/2014)

March 5, 2014

March 5, 2014

PACER
21

MOTION for Preliminary Injunction and, MOTION to Stay by Hastings Automotive, Inc.. (Nash, Kathryn) (Entered: 03/07/2014)

March 7, 2014

March 7, 2014

PACER
22

NOTICE OF HEARING ON MOTION 21 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction and MOTION to Stay : at date and time to be determined. (Nash, Kathryn) (Entered: 03/07/2014)

March 7, 2014

March 7, 2014

PACER
23

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE ON PROPOSED ORDER by Hastings Automotive, Inc. re 21 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction and MOTION to Stay (Nash, Kathryn) (Entered: 03/07/2014)

March 7, 2014

March 7, 2014

PACER
24

TEXT ONLY ENTRY: Notice re: Non-Admitted AttorneyWe have received documents listing Pamela Kovacs as counsel of record. If he or she wishes to be listed as an attorney of record in this case, he or she must be admitted to the bar of the U.S. District Court of Minnesota in accordance with Local Rule 83.5 (a), (b) and (c) or temporarily admitted pro hac vice in accordance with Local Rule 83.5 (d) or (e).For more admissions information and forms, please see the Attorney Forms Section of the courts website at href=http://www.mnd.uscourts.gov/FORMS/court_forms.shtml#attorneyforms. (akl) (Entered: 03/07/2014)

March 7, 2014

March 7, 2014

PACER
25

MEET and CONFER STATEMENT re 21 Motion for Preliminary Injunction, Motion to Stay filed by Hastings Automotive, Inc.. (Nash, Kathryn) (Entered: 03/07/2014)

March 7, 2014

March 7, 2014

PACER
26

NOTICE OF NON-OPPOSITION TO PLAINTIFF'S MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION AND STAY OF PROCEEDINGS by Jacob Lew, Thomas Perez, Kathleen Sebelius, United States Department of Health and Human Services, United States Department of Labor, United States Department of Treasury re 21 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction and MOTION to Stay. (Humphreys, Bradley) Modified text on 3/14/2014 (lmb). (Entered: 03/14/2014)

March 14, 2014

March 14, 2014

PACER
27

ORDER Denying 21 Motion for Preliminary Injunction; Granting 21 Motion to Stay. Signed by The Hon. Paul A. Magnuson on 03/19/2014. (LLM) (Entered: 03/19/2014)

March 19, 2014

March 19, 2014

PACER
28

Renewed MOTION for Preliminary Injunction by Hastings Automotive, Inc. (Nash, Kathryn) Modified text on 5/28/2014 (lmb). (Entered: 05/27/2014)

May 27, 2014

May 27, 2014

PACER
29

NOTICE OF HEARING ON MOTION 28 Second MOTION for Preliminary Injunction : at date and time to be determined. (Nash, Kathryn) (Entered: 05/27/2014)

May 27, 2014

May 27, 2014

PACER
30

AFFIDAVIT of Jeremiah G. Dys in SUPPORT OF 28 Second MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by All Plaintiffs. (Nash, Kathryn) (Entered: 05/27/2014)

May 27, 2014

May 27, 2014

PACER
31

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE ON PROPOSED ORDER by Hastings Automotive, Inc. re 28 Second MOTION for Preliminary Injunction (Nash, Kathryn) (Entered: 05/27/2014)

May 27, 2014

May 27, 2014

PACER
32

DOCUMENT FILED IN ERROR-EXHIBIT #2 IS BLANK PAGE-REFILED AT 33 . EXHIBIT re 30 Affidavit in Support of Motion for Preliminary Injunction by All Plaintiffs filed by All Plaintiffs. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit(s) 1, # 2 Exhibit(s) 2). (Nash, Kathryn) Modified text on 5/28/2014 (lmb). (Entered: 05/27/2014)

1 Exhibit(s) 1

View on PACER

2 Exhibit(s) 2

View on PACER

May 27, 2014

May 27, 2014

PACER
33

EXHIBIT re 30 Affidavit in Support of Motion for Preliminary Injunction by All Plaintiffs filed by All Plaintiffs. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit(s) 1, # 2 Exhibit(s) 2). (Nash, Kathryn) Modified text on 5/28/2014 (lmb). (Entered: 05/27/2014)

1 Exhibit(s) 1

View on PACER

2 Exhibit(s) 2

View on PACER

May 27, 2014

May 27, 2014

PACER
34

ORDER Granting Plaintiffs' Renewed Motion for Preliminary Injunction 28 . Signed by The Hon. Paul A. Magnuson on 05/28/2014. (LLM) (Entered: 05/28/2014)

May 28, 2014

May 28, 2014

RECAP
35

LETTER TO DISTRICT JUDGE by Douglas W. Erickson, Hastings Automotive, Inc., Hastings Chrysler Center, Inc. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit(s) Supreme court document). (Dys, Jeremiah) Modified text on 7/1/2014 (lmb). (Entered: 06/30/2014)

1 Exhibit(s) Supreme court document

View on PACER

June 30, 2014

June 30, 2014

PACER
36

TEXT ONLY ENTRY: CLERK'S NOTICE OF REASSIGNMENT. Due to the retirement of Magistrate Judge Graham, this case is reassigned to Magistrate Judge Hildy Bowbeer. Magistrate Judge Jeanne J. Graham no longer assigned to the case.NOTE: the new case number is 14-cv-265 PAM/HB. Please use this case number for all subsequent pleadings. (kt) (Entered: 08/06/2014)

Aug. 6, 2014

Aug. 6, 2014

PACER
37

STIPULATION for Entry of Judgment by Jacob Lew, Thomas Perez, Kathleen Sebelius, United States Department of Health and Human Services, United States Department of Labor, United States Department of Treasury. DOCUMENT/ATTACHMENT FILED IN ERROR-PROPOSED ORDERS DO NOT GET FILED ON CM/ECF. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order). (Humphreys, Bradley) Modified text on 12/10/2014 (lmb). (Entered: 12/09/2014)

1 FILED IN ERROR-Proposed Order

View on PACER

Dec. 9, 2014

Dec. 9, 2014

RECAP
38

ORDER. LET JUDGMENT BE ENTERED ACCORDINGLY. Signed by The Hon. Paul A. Magnuson on 12/10/2014. (LLM) (Entered: 12/11/2014)

Dec. 11, 2014

Dec. 11, 2014

PACER
39

JUDGMENT (Attachments: # 1 Civil Notice - appeal)(lmb) (Entered: 12/11/2014)

1 Civil Notice - appeal

View on PACER

Dec. 11, 2014

Dec. 11, 2014

PACER
40

STIPULATION for Extension of Time to File Plaintiffs' Motion for Attorneys' Fees and Costs by Jacob Lew, Thomas Perez, Kathleen Sebelius, United States Department of Health and Human Services, United States Department of Labor, United States Department of Treasury. Jointly Signed by Hastings Automotive, Inc., Hastings Chrysler Center, Inc., and Douglas W. Erickson. (Humphreys, Bradley) (Entered: 01/07/2015)

Jan. 7, 2015

Jan. 7, 2015

PACER
41

ORDER re 40 Stipulation, filed by United States Department of Treasury, Jacob Lew, Kathleen Sebelius, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Thomas Perez, United States Department of Labor. IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the deadline for the filing of Plaintiffs motion for attorneys fees and costs is extended by forty-five days, until March 12, 2015. Signed by Judge Paul A. Magnuson on 1/7/2015. (JEP) (Entered: 01/07/2015)

Jan. 7, 2015

Jan. 7, 2015

PACER
42

STIPULATION for Extension of Time for Plaintiffs to File Motion for Attorneys' Fees and Costs by Jacob Lew, Thomas Perez, Kathleen Sebelius, United States Department of Health and Human Services, United States Department of Labor, United States Department of Treasury. Jointly Signed by Hastings Automotive, Inc., Hastings Chyrsler Center, Inc., and Douglas W. Erickson. (Humphreys, Bradley) (Entered: 03/11/2015)

March 11, 2015

March 11, 2015

PACER
43

ORDER FOR EXTENSION OF TIME TO FILE PLAINTIFFS' MOTION FOR ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS. Signed by Judge Paul A. Magnuson on 3/12/2015. (JEP) (Entered: 03/12/2015)

March 12, 2015

March 12, 2015

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: Minnesota

Case Type(s):

Speech and Religious Freedom

Special Collection(s):

Contraception Insurance Mandate

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: Jan. 29, 2014

Closing Date: Dec. 11, 2014

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Minnesota auto dealerships

Plaintiff Type(s):

Public (for-profit) corporation

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

United States Department of Health and Human Services, Federal

United States Department of Labor, Federal

United States Department of Treasury , Federal

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Religious Freedom Rest. Act/Religious Land Use and Inst. Persons Act (RFRA/RLUIPA)

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Free Exercise Clause

Establishment Clause

Freedom of speech/association

Equal Protection

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Preliminary injunction / Temp. restraining order

Declaratory Judgment

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Order Duration: 2015 - None

Content of Injunction:

Preliminary relief granted

Issues

Reproductive rights:

Abortion

Contraception

Sterilization/sexual rights

Type of Facility:

Non-government for-profit