Case: Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. U.S. Department of Agriculture

1:26-cv-11396 | U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts

Filed Date: March 23, 2026

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

This is a case challenging conditions enacted by the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) prohibiting the use of USDA funds to “promote gender ideology”, “deprive women and girls of fair athletic opportunities”, or to fund programs which “allow illegal aliens to obtain taxpayer-funded benefits”. On March 23, 2026, twenty states and the District of Columbia filed this lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. The plaintiff states* sued the USDA, B…

This is a case challenging conditions enacted by the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) prohibiting the use of USDA funds to “promote gender ideology”, “deprive women and girls of fair athletic opportunities”, or to fund programs which “allow illegal aliens to obtain taxpayer-funded benefits”. On March 23, 2026, twenty states and the District of Columbia filed this lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. The plaintiff states* sued the USDA, Brooke Rollins in her official capacity as Secretary of Agriculture, and the United States of America, under the Spending Clause of the United States Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act (“APA”). The states, represented by their attorney generals’ offices, sought a declaratory judgment, preliminary and permanent injunctions enjoining the USDA from enforcing the conditions, vacatur, to retain jurisdiction to monitor the defendants’ compliance with the Court’s judgment, and attorneys’ fees and costs.

The states argued that the USDA’s conditions violated the Spending Clause for three reasons. First, they were too ambiguous. Second, because so much grant money was at stake, the conditions were so coercive that they amounted to commandeering. Third, the conditions were not related to the federal government’s interest in supporting domestic agriculture, fighting wildfires, and feeding the public. The states alleged that the conditions violated the APA because they are arbitrary and capricious, in excess of statutory authority, do not observe procedure required by law, violate a constitutional right, and violate other federal statutes such as the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, which states that children eligible for school nutrition programs under state and local law are eligible for the corresponding federal programs.

The case was assigned to Judge Myong J. Joun.

On June 24, 2026, the Court granted the plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction, finding that all three of the plaintiffs’ Spending Clause arguments and on their ‘arbitrary and capricious’ argument under the APA were likely to succeed. Massachusetts v. U.S.D.A., No. 26-11396-MJJ, 2026 WL 1815807 (D. Mass.). The Court found the plaintiffs likely to show that the conditions were too ambiguous, too coercive, and unrelated to the federal government’s interest in supporting domestic agriculture. As to the APA, the Court found that the challenged conditions were not committed to agency discretion by law and the USDA failed to offer a satisfactory explanation for its decision, refused to consider the consequences of conflicts between the conditions and state law, and ignored states’ reliance interests on the funding.

*Massachusetts, California, Illinois, Wisconsin, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington joined in the lawsuit.

 

Summary Authors

Sam Black (7/15/2026)

Claire Pollard (3/23/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72530790/parties/commonwealth-of-massachusetts-v-us-department-of-agriculture/


Attorney for Plaintiff

Arguello, Savannah Rose (Massachusetts)

Brambila, Kristopher (Massachusetts)

Didwania, Vikas Kumar (Massachusetts)

Franklin, Erica Ruth (Massachusetts)

Attorney for Defendant

Fitzgerald, Michael D. (Massachusetts)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case
1

1:26-cv-11396

Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief

Commonwealth of Massachusetts et al. v. U.S. Department of Agriculture et al.

March 23, 2026

March 23, 2026

Complaint
72

1:26-cv-11396

Memorandum of Decision

Commonwealth of Massachusetts et al. v. U.S. Department of Agriculture et al.

June 24, 2026

June 24, 2026

Order/Opinion

2026 WL 1815807

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72530790/commonwealth-of-massachusetts-v-us-department-of-agriculture/

Last updated July 22, 2026, 3:24 a.m.

ECF Number Date Description Link
1 March 23, 2026

COMPLAINT against All Defendants Filing fee: $ 405, receipt number AMADC-11628426 (Fee Status: Filing Fee paid), filed by COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, Commonwealth of Virginia, District of Columbia, State of California, State of Colorado, State of Connecticut, State of Delaware, State of Hawaii, State of Illinois, State of Maine, State of Maryland, State of Michigan, State of Minnesota, State of New Jersey, State of New Mexico, State of New York, State of Oregon, State of Rhode Island, State of Vermont, State of Washington, State of Wisconsin. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A: General Terms and Conditions for Federal Awards, # 2 Exhibit B: General Terms and Conditions for Mutual Interest Agreements, # 3 Exhibit C: 12.31.2025 Rollins Memo, # 4 Civil Cover Sheet, # 5 Category Form)(Klunder, Nita) (Entered: 03/23/2026)

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2 March 23, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by Hannah C. Vail on behalf of COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS (Vail, Hannah) (Entered: 03/23/2026)

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3 March 23, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by Jak Kundl on behalf of COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS (Kundl, Jak) (Entered: 03/23/2026)

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4 March 23, 2026

ELECTRONIC NOTICE of Case Assignment. Judge Myong J. Joun assigned to case. If the trial Judge issues an Order of Reference of any matter in this case to a Magistrate Judge, the matter will be transmitted to Magistrate Judge Donald L. Cabell. (JAM) (Entered: 03/23/2026)

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5 March 23, 2026

Summons Issued as to Brooke L. Rollins, U.S. Department of Agriculture, United States of America. Counsel receiving this notice electronically should download this summons, complete one for each defendant and serve it in accordance with Fed.R.Civ.P. 4 and LR 4.1. Summons will be mailed to plaintiff(s) not receiving notice electronically for completion of service. (SP) (Entered: 03/23/2026)

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6 March 23, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by Leanne E. Hartmann on behalf of State of Oregon (Hartmann, Leanne) (Entered: 03/23/2026)

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7 March 23, 2026

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of James Luh Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11629829 by State of Maryland. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit)(Kundl, Jak) (Entered: 03/23/2026)

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March 23, 2026

Notice of Case Assignment

8 March 24, 2026

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 7 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added James C. Luh. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. (SP) (Entered: 03/24/2026)

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9 March 24, 2026

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Jonathan Rose Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11630961 by State of Vermont. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit)(Kundl, Jak) (Entered: 03/24/2026)

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10 March 24, 2026

Notice of Service of Process filed by Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Individual(s)/Entities served: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Brooke L. Rollins, United States of America. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Declaration of service by certified mail and courier)(Kundl, Jak) (Entered: 03/24/2026)

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11 March 24, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by James C. Luh on behalf of State of Maryland (Luh, James) (Entered: 03/24/2026)

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12 March 24, 2026

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 9 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Jonathan T. Rose. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. (SP) (Entered: 03/24/2026)

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13 March 24, 2026

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Neil Giovanatti Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11632482 by State of Michigan. (Attachments: # 1 Certification)(Kundl, Jak) (Entered: 03/24/2026)

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March 24, 2026

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear

14 March 25, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by Jonathan T Rose on behalf of State of Vermont (Rose, Jonathan) (Entered: 03/25/2026)

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15 March 25, 2026

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 13 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Neil Giovanatti. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. (SP) (Entered: 03/25/2026)

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16 March 25, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by Neil Giovanatti on behalf of State of Michigan (Giovanatti, Neil) (Entered: 03/25/2026)

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17 March 25, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by Michael Fitzgerald on behalf of Brooke L. Rollins, U.S. Department of Agriculture, United States of America (Fitzgerald, Michael) (Entered: 03/25/2026)

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18 March 25, 2026

Joint MOTION for Leave to File Excess Pages by Commonwealth of Massachusetts.(Klunder, Nita) (Entered: 03/25/2026)

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19 March 25, 2026

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 18 Joint MOTION for Leave to File Excess Pages by Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Motion for Leave to File Excess Pages ; Counsel using the Electronic Case Filing System should now file the document for which leave to file has been granted in accordance with the CM/ECF Administrative Procedures. Counsel must include - Leave to file granted on (date of order)- in the caption of the document. (SP) (Entered: 03/25/2026)

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20 March 25, 2026

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Samuel Wolter, Kristopher Brambila Filing fee: $ 250, receipt number AMADC-11635839 by State of Colorado. (Attachments: # 1 SW Certification, # 2 KAB Certification)(Kundl, Jak) (Entered: 03/25/2026)

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21 March 25, 2026

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Vikas Didwania, Aleeza Strubel, Michael M. Tresnowski Filing fee: $ 375, receipt number AMADC-11635853 by State of Illinois. (Attachments: # 1 VD Certification, # 2 MT Certification, # 3 AS Certification)(Kundl, Jak) (Entered: 03/25/2026)

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22 March 25, 2026

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 20 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Kristopher Brambila and Sam Wolter. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (SP) (Entered: 03/25/2026)

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23 March 25, 2026

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Katherine Thompson Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11635858 by State of Maine. (Attachments: # 1 Certification)(Kundl, Jak) (Entered: 03/25/2026)

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24 March 25, 2026

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Rabia Muqaddam, Natasha Korgaonkar, Matthew Faiella Filing fee: $ 375, receipt number AMADC-11635861 by State of New York. (Attachments: # 1 RM Certification, # 2 NK Certification, # 3 MF Certification)(Kundl, Jak) (Entered: 03/25/2026)

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25 March 25, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by Amy Senier on behalf of State of New Mexico (Senier, Amy) (Entered: 03/25/2026)

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March 25, 2026

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear

March 25, 2026

Order on Motion for Leave to File Excess Pages

26 March 26, 2026

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 21 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Vikas Didwania, Aleeza Strubel, Michael M. Tresnowski. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. (CEH) (Entered: 03/26/2026)

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27 March 26, 2026

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 23 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Katherine Thompson. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (CEH) (Entered: 03/26/2026)

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28 March 26, 2026

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 24 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Rabia Muqaddam, Natasha Korgaonkar, Matthew Faiella. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. (CEH) (Entered: 03/26/2026)

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29 March 26, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by Natasha Korgaonkar on behalf of State of New York (Korgaonkar, Natasha) (Entered: 03/26/2026)

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30 March 26, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by Rabia Muqaddam on behalf of State of New York (Muqaddam, Rabia) (Entered: 03/26/2026)

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March 26, 2026

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear

31 March 27, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by Aleeza M. Strubel on behalf of State of Illinois (Strubel, Aleeza) (Entered: 03/27/2026)

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32 March 27, 2026

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Lynn Lodahl Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11638874 by State of Wisconsin. (Attachments: # 1 Certification)(Kundl, Jak) (Entered: 03/27/2026)

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33 March 27, 2026

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Paul Meosky Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11638882 by State of Rhode Island. (Attachments: # 1 Certification)(Kundl, Jak) (Entered: 03/27/2026)

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34 March 27, 2026

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Samantha Hall Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11638900 by District of Columbia. (Attachments: # 1 Certification)(Kundl, Jak) (Entered: 03/27/2026)

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35 March 27, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by Michael M. Tresnowski on behalf of State of Illinois (Tresnowski, Michael) (Entered: 03/27/2026)

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36 March 27, 2026

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 32 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Lynn Lodahl. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. (CEH) (Entered: 03/27/2026)

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37 March 27, 2026

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 33 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Paul Meosky. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (CEH) (Entered: 03/27/2026)

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38 March 27, 2026

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 34 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Samantha Hall. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. (CEH) (Entered: 03/27/2026)

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39 March 27, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by Samantha Hall on behalf of District of Columbia (Hall, Samantha) (Entered: 03/27/2026)

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40 March 27, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by Paul Timothy James Meosky on behalf of State of Rhode Island (Meosky, Paul) (Entered: 03/27/2026)

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March 27, 2026

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear

41 March 30, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by Vikas Didwania on behalf of State of Illinois (Didwania, Vikas) (Entered: 03/30/2026)

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42 March 30, 2026

MOTION for Preliminary Injunction by Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Klunder, Nita) (Entered: 03/30/2026)

1 Text of Proposed Order

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43 March 30, 2026

MEMORANDUM in Support re 42 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (Klunder, Nita) (Entered: 03/30/2026)

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44 March 30, 2026

AFFIDAVIT in Support re 42 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1 - Memo re The Golden Age, # 2 Exhibit 2 - FNS Terms and Conditions, # 3 Exhibit 3 - Letter to Newsom, # 4 Exhibit 4 - Letter to Mills, # 5 Exhibit 5 - CBS news article, # 6 Exhibit 6 - Rollins X post, # 7 Exhibit 7 - FNS memo, # 8 Exhibit 8 - meet and confer email, # 9 Exhibit 9 - McClelland Declaration, # 10 Exhibit 10 - Moseley Declaration, # 11 Exhibit 11 - Reeder Declaration, # 12 Exhibit 12 - Riley Declaration, # 13 Exhibit 13 - Kostman-Fesler Declaration, # 14 Exhibit 14 - Hadler Declaration, # 15 Exhibit 15 - Pessolano Declaration, # 16 Exhibit 16 - Beckwith Declaration, # 17 Exhibit 17 - Sadlon Declaration, # 18 Exhibit 18 - Staats Declaration, # 19 Exhibit 19 - Veron Declaration, # 20 Exhibit 20 - White Declaration, # 21 Exhibit 21 - Beam Declaration, # 22 Exhibit 22 - Isbell Declaration, # 23 Exhibit 23 - Bess Declaration, # 24 Exhibit 24 - Sanders Declaration, # 25 Exhibit 25 - Ramos Declaration, # 26 Exhibit 26 - Reagan Declaration, # 27 Exhibit 27 - Davis Declaration, # 28 Exhibit 28 - Barton Declaration, # 29 Exhibit 29 - Colchamiro Declaration, # 30 Exhibit 30 - Bell Declaration, # 31 Exhibit 31 - Cooper Declaration, # 32 Exhibit 32 - Bell Declaration, # 33 Exhibit 33 - Burnett Declaration, # 34 Exhibit 34 - O'Shea Declaration, # 35 Exhibit 35 - Fletcher Declaration, # 36 Exhibit 36 - Kurtz Declaration, # 37 Exhibit 37 - Yaffe Declaration, # 38 Exhibit 38 - Va Declaration, # 39 Exhibit 39 - McLucas Declaration, # 40 Exhibit 40 - McBrady Declaration, # 41 Exhibit 41 - Hertel Declaration, # 42 Exhibit 42 - Priya Declaration, # 43 Exhibit 43 - Golzynski Declaration, # 44 Exhibit 44 - Boring Declaration, # 45 Exhibit 45 - Bowen Declaration, # 46 Exhibit 46 - Moore Declaration, # 47 Exhibit 47 - Thielen Declaration, # 48 Exhibit 48 - Straka Declaration, # 49 Exhibit 49 - Weeks Declaration, # 50 Exhibit 50 - LaRegina Declaration, # 51 Exhibit 51 - Matis Declaration, # 52 Exhibit 52 - Kozlowski Declaration, # 53 Exhibit 53 - Gonzales Declaration, # 54 Exhibit 54 - Kozlowski Declaration, # 55 Exhibit 55 - Tricarico Declaration, # 56 Exhibit 56 - Hoffman Declaration, # 57 Exhibit 57 - Tumer Declaration, # 58 Exhibit 58 - Sanna Declaration, # 59 Exhibit 59 - Wetherell Declaration, # 60 Exhibit 60 - KC Declaration, # 61 Exhibit 61 - Merolla-Brito Declaration, # 62 Exhibit 62 - Jenkins Declaration, # 63 Exhibit 63 - Echelson Declaration, # 64 Exhibit 64 - Marshall Declaration, # 65 Exhibit 65 - Campagna Declaration, # 66 Exhibit 66 - Green Declaration, # 67 Exhibit 67 - Krueger Declaration, # 68 Exhibit 68 - Reyes Declaration, # 69 Exhibit 69 - Tybo Declaration, # 70 Exhibit 70 - Grejner-Brzezinska Declaration, # 71 Exhibit 71 - Tran Declaration, # 72 Exhibit 72 - McCarthy Declaration, # 73 Exhibit 73 - Aquino Declaration, # 74 Exhibit 74 - Tran Declaration, # 75 Exhibit 75 - Frinzell Declaration, # 76 Exhibit 76 - McGrattan Declaration, # 77 Exhibit 77 - Cole - Declaration, # 78 Exhibit 78 - Walton Declaration, # 79 Exhibit 79 - Melvin Declaration, # 80 Exhibit 80 - Lasher Declaration, # 81 Exhibit 81 - Maldonado Declaration, # 82 Exhibit 82 - Kaiser Declaration)(Klunder, Nita) (Entered: 03/30/2026)

1 Exhibit 1 - Memo re The Golden Age

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2 Exhibit 2 - FNS Terms and Conditions

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3 Exhibit 3 - Letter to Newsom

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4 Exhibit 4 - Letter to Mills

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5 Exhibit 5 - CBS news article

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6 Exhibit 6 - Rollins X post

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7 Exhibit 7 - FNS memo

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8 Exhibit 8 - meet and confer email

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9 Exhibit 9 - McClelland Declaration

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10 Exhibit 10 - Moseley Declaration

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11 Exhibit 11 - Reeder Declaration

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12 Exhibit 12 - Riley Declaration

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13 Exhibit 13 - Kostman-Fesler Declaration

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14 Exhibit 14 - Hadler Declaration

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15 Exhibit 15 - Pessolano Declaration

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16 Exhibit 16 - Beckwith Declaration

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17 Exhibit 17 - Sadlon Declaration

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18 Exhibit 18 - Staats Declaration

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19 Exhibit 19 - Veron Declaration

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20 Exhibit 20 - White Declaration

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21 Exhibit 21 - Beam Declaration

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22 Exhibit 22 - Isbell Declaration

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23 Exhibit 23 - Bess Declaration

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24 Exhibit 24 - Sanders Declaration

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25 Exhibit 25 - Ramos Declaration

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26 Exhibit 26 - Reagan Declaration

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27 Exhibit 27 - Davis Declaration

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28 Exhibit 28 - Barton Declaration

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29 Exhibit 29 - Colchamiro Declaration

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30 Exhibit 30 - Bell Declaration

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31 Exhibit 31 - Cooper Declaration

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32 Exhibit 32 - Bell Declaration

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33 Exhibit 33 - Burnett Declaration

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34 Exhibit 34 - O'Shea Declaration

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35 Exhibit 35 - Fletcher Declaration

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36 Exhibit 36 - Kurtz Declaration

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37 Exhibit 37 - Yaffe Declaration

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38 Exhibit 38 - Va Declaration

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39 Exhibit 39 - McLucas Declaration

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40 Exhibit 40 - McBrady Declaration

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41 Exhibit 41 - Hertel Declaration

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42 Exhibit 42 - Priya Declaration

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43 Exhibit 43 - Golzynski Declaration

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44 Exhibit 44 - Boring Declaration

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45 Exhibit 45 - Bowen Declaration

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46 Exhibit 46 - Moore Declaration

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47 Exhibit 47 - Thielen Declaration

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48 Exhibit 48 - Straka Declaration

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49 Exhibit 49 - Weeks Declaration

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50 Exhibit 50 - LaRegina Declaration

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51 Exhibit 51 - Matis Declaration

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52 Exhibit 52 - Kozlowski Declaration

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53 Exhibit 53 - Gonzales Declaration

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54 Exhibit 54 - Kozlowski Declaration

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55 Exhibit 55 - Tricarico Declaration

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56 Exhibit 56 - Hoffman Declaration

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57 Exhibit 57 - Tumer Declaration

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58 Exhibit 58 - Sanna Declaration

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59 Exhibit 59 - Wetherell Declaration

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60 Exhibit 60 - KC Declaration

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61 Exhibit 61 - Merolla-Brito Declaration

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62 Exhibit 62 - Jenkins Declaration

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63 Exhibit 63 - Echelson Declaration

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64 Exhibit 64 - Marshall Declaration

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65 Exhibit 65 - Campagna Declaration

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66 Exhibit 66 - Green Declaration

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67 Exhibit 67 - Krueger Declaration

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68 Exhibit 68 - Reyes Declaration

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69 Exhibit 69 - Tybo Declaration

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70 Exhibit 70 - Grejner-Brzezinska Declaration

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71 Exhibit 71 - Tran Declaration

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72 Exhibit 72 - McCarthy Declaration

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73 Exhibit 73 - Aquino Declaration

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74 Exhibit 74 - Tran Declaration

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75 Exhibit 75 - Frinzell Declaration

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76 Exhibit 76 - McGrattan Declaration

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77 Exhibit 77 - Cole - Declaration

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78 Exhibit 78 - Walton Declaration

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79 Exhibit 79 - Melvin Declaration

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80 Exhibit 80 - Lasher Declaration

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81 Exhibit 81 - Maldonado Declaration

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82 Exhibit 82 - Kaiser Declaration

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45 April 1, 2026

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Erica R. Franklin Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11650453 by State of Washington. (Attachments: # 1 Certification)(Kundl, Jak) (Entered: 04/01/2026)

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46 April 1, 2026

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 45 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Erica R. Franklin. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. (SP) (Entered: 04/01/2026)

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April 1, 2026

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear

47 April 2, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by Erica Ruth Franklin on behalf of State of Washington (Franklin, Erica) (Entered: 04/02/2026)

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48 April 7, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by Katherine Thompson on behalf of State of Maine (Thompson, Katherine) (Entered: 04/07/2026)

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49 April 13, 2026

Opposition re 42 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by Brooke L. Rollins, U.S. Department of Agriculture, United States of America. (Fitzgerald, Michael) (Entered: 04/13/2026)

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50 April 14, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by Samuel Perry Wolter on behalf of State of Colorado (Wolter, Samuel) (Entered: 04/14/2026)

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51 April 15, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by Kristopher Brambila on behalf of State of Colorado (Brambila, Kristopher) (Entered: 04/15/2026)

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52 April 20, 2026

REPLY to Response to 42 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (Klunder, Nita) (Entered: 04/20/2026)

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53 April 20, 2026

AFFIDAVIT of Nita Klunder in Support re 42 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 83 Declaration of Scott Marshall, # 2 Exhibit 84 CAPS Survey email from USDA, # 3 Exhibit 85 CAPS Infrastructure email from USDA, # 4 Exhibit 86 Declaration of Brian Kuhn, # 5 Exhibit 87 email from USDA to WI, # 6 Exhibit 88 Declaration of Karl Doyle, # 7 Exhibit 89 NOFO for Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance Program)(Klunder, Nita) (Entered: 04/20/2026)

1 Exhibit 83 Declaration of Scott Marshall

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2 Exhibit 84 CAPS Survey email from USDA

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3 Exhibit 85 CAPS Infrastructure email from USDA

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4 Exhibit 86 Declaration of Brian Kuhn

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5 Exhibit 87 email from USDA to WI

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6 Exhibit 88 Declaration of Karl Doyle

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7 Exhibit 89 NOFO for Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance Program

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RECAP
54 April 23, 2026

ELECTRONIC NOTICE Setting Hearing on Motion 42 Motion for Preliminary Injunction. A Motion Hearing is set for 6/1/2026 at 2:30 PM in Courtroom 20 (In person only) before Judge Myong J. Joun.(SKY) (Entered: 04/23/2026)

RECAP
April 23, 2026

Notice Setting or Resetting Hearing on Motion

55 April 27, 2026

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Brian Bilford, Luke Freedman, Joel Marrero, Michael Newman, Daniel Sheehan, Alyssa Zhang Filing fee: $ 750, receipt number AMADC-11702621 by State of California. (Attachments: # 1 BB Certification, # 2 LF Certification, # 3 JM Certification, # 4 MN Certification, # 5 DS Certification, # 6 AZ Certification)(Kundl, Jak) (Entered: 04/27/2026)

RECAP
56 April 27, 2026

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 55 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Brian Bilford, Luke Freedman, Joel Marrero, Michael Newman, Daniel Sheehan, Alyssa Zhang. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (SP) (Entered: 04/27/2026)

RECAP
April 27, 2026

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear

57 May 14, 2026

ELECTRONIC NOTICE of Rescheduling Hearing on Motion re 42 Motion for Preliminary Injunction. The Motion Hearing is rescheduled to 6/2/2026 at 11:00 AM in Courtroom 20 (In person only) before Judge Myong J. Joun. (SKY) (Entered: 05/14/2026)

RECAP
May 14, 2026

Notice Setting or Resetting Hearing on Motion

58 May 19, 2026

MOTION for Extension of Time to 30 days after the Court issues its decision on Plaintiffs motion for a preliminary injunction to File Answer re 1 Complaint,,, or Other Response to the Complaint by Brooke L. Rollins, U.S. Department of Agriculture, United States of America.(Fitzgerald, Michael) (Entered: 05/19/2026)

RECAP
59 May 21, 2026

Supplemental AFFIDAVIT in Support re 42 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 90 Declaration of Denise Barton, # 2 Exhibit 91 Declaration of Nancy McBrady, # 3 Exhibit 92 Declaration of Kirk Dombrowski, # 4 Exhibit 93 Declaration of Brian Kuhn, # 5 Exhibit 94 Declaration of Mark Abrahamson, # 6 Exhibit 95 Declaration of Cassandra Moseley)(Klunder, Nita) (Entered: 05/21/2026)

1 Exhibit 90 Declaration of Denise Barton

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2 Exhibit 91 Declaration of Nancy McBrady

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3 Exhibit 92 Declaration of Kirk Dombrowski

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4 Exhibit 93 Declaration of Brian Kuhn

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5 Exhibit 94 Declaration of Mark Abrahamson

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6 Exhibit 95 Declaration of Cassandra Moseley

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RECAP
60 May 22, 2026

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 58 Motion for Extension of Time to Answer re 1 Complaint Brooke L. Rollins answer due 6/26/2026; U.S. Department of Agriculture answer due 6/26/2026; United States of America answer due 6/26/2026. (SP) (Entered: 05/22/2026)

RECAP
61 May 22, 2026

AMENDED DOCUMENT by Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Amendment to 59 Affidavit in Support of Motion, . (Klunder, Nita) (Entered: 05/22/2026)

RECAP
May 22, 2026

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

62 June 2, 2026

Electronic Clerk's Notes for proceedings held before Judge Myong J. Joun: Motion Hearing held on 6/2/2026 re 42 Motion for Preliminary Injunction. The Court heard arguments from the parties as to the pending motion and took the matter under advisement. (Court Reporter: Jamie Halpin at jkhhalpin@gmail.com.) (Attorneys present: Klunder, Tresnowski, Vail & Kundl for the plaintiffs; Fitzgerald for the defendants.) (SKY) (Entered: 06/02/2026)

RECAP
June 2, 2026

Motion Hearing

63 June 5, 2026

Supplemental RESPONSE to Motion re 42 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by Brooke L. Rollins, U.S. Department of Agriculture, United States of America. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Declaration of S. Corley)(Fitzgerald, Michael) (Entered: 06/05/2026)

1 Affidavit Declaration of S. Corley

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RECAP
64 June 5, 2026

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered. Plaintiffs Motion for Preliminary Injunction, Doc. No. 42, is GRANTED. Defendants are PRELIMINARILY ENJOINED from enforcing the Challenged Conditions, which includes the following sections of the Department of Agricultures General Terms and Conditions for Federal Awards: The term policies in 12.2, and the entirety of 12.2.2, 12.2.4, 13.5, 13.8, and 13.10. The injunction also applies to the corresponding sections in the Departments General Terms and Conditions for Mutual Interest Agreements. As raised at the motion hearing held on 06/02/2026, for the avoidance of doubt, Defendants need not issue new terms and conditions documents. The parties have agreed that a properly executed reservation of rights will protect Plaintiffs' interest for the duration of the preliminary injunction. A memorandum of decision will issue at a later date.(SP) (Entered: 06/05/2026)

RECAP
June 5, 2026

Order on Motion for Preliminary Injunction

65 June 8, 2026

Transcript of Motion Hearing held on June 2, 2026, before Judge Myong J. Joun. The Transcript may be purchased through the Court Reporter, viewed at the public terminal, or viewed through PACER after it is released. Court Reporter Name and Contact Information: Jamie Halpin at jkhhalpin@gmail.com. Redaction Request due 6/29/2026. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 7/8/2026. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 9/8/2026. (DRK) (Entered: 06/08/2026)

RECAP
66 June 8, 2026

NOTICE is hereby given that an official transcript of a proceeding has been filed by the court reporter in the above-captioned matter. Counsel are referred to the Court's Transcript Redaction Policy, available on the court website at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/transcripts.htm (DRK) (Entered: 06/08/2026)

RECAP
June 8, 2026

Notice of Filing of Official Transcript

67 June 15, 2026

NOTICE of Appearance by Savannah Rose Arguello on behalf of Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Arguello, Savannah) (Entered: 06/15/2026)

RECAP
68 June 18, 2026

Assented to MOTION for Extension of Time to July 10, 2026 to File Answer re 1 Complaint,,, or Other Response to the Complaint by Brooke L. Rollins, U.S. Department of Agriculture, United States of America.(Fitzgerald, Michael) (Entered: 06/18/2026)

RECAP
69 June 22, 2026

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered. GRANTING 68 Assented to MOTION for Extension of Time to July 10, 2026 to File Answer re 1 Complaint, or Other Response to the Complaint by Brooke L. Rollins, U.S. Department of Agriculture, United States of America. Brooke L. Rollins answer due 7/10/2026; U.S. Department of Agriculture answer due 7/10/2026; United States of America answer due 7/10/2026. (SP) (Entered: 06/22/2026)

RECAP
June 22, 2026

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

70 June 24, 2026

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Ian R. Liston, Rose E. Gibson Filing fee: $ 250, receipt number AMADC-11839765 by State of Delaware. (Attachments: # 1 Certification, # 2 certification)(Kundl, Jak) (Entered: 06/24/2026)

RECAP
71 June 24, 2026

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 70 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Ian R. Liston, Rose E. Gibson. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (FGD) (Entered: 06/24/2026)

RECAP
72 June 24, 2026

Judge Myong J. Joun: ORDER entered. MEMORANDUM OF DECISION. On June 5, 2026, this Court granted Plaintiff's Motion for Preliminary Injunction, noting that a memorandum of decision would issue at a later date. See Doc. No. 64 . The memorandum of decision is attached, explaining this Court's decision at Doc. No. 64 . (SKY) (Entered: 06/24/2026)

Clearinghouse
June 24, 2026

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear

73 July 9, 2026

Assented to MOTION for Leave to File Excess Pages by Brooke L. Rollins, U.S. Department of Agriculture, United States of America.(Fitzgerald, Michael) (Entered: 07/09/2026)

RECAP
74 July 9, 2026

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 73 Assented to MOTION for Leave to File Excess Pages by Brooke L. Rollins, U.S. Department of Agriculture, United States of America Motion for Leave to File Excess Pages ; Counsel using the Electronic Case Filing System should now file the document for which leave to file has been granted in accordance with the CM/ECF Administrative Procedures. Counsel must include - Leave to file granted on (date of order)- in the caption of the document. (SP) (Entered: 07/09/2026)

RECAP
July 9, 2026

Order on Motion for Leave to File Excess Pages

75 July 10, 2026

MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction and for Failure to State a Claim by Brooke L. Rollins, U.S. Department of Agriculture, United States of America.(Fitzgerald, Michael) (Entered: 07/10/2026)

RECAP
76 July 10, 2026

MEMORANDUM in Support re 75 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction and for Failure to State a Claim filed by Brooke L. Rollins, U.S. Department of Agriculture, United States of America. (Fitzgerald, Michael) (Entered: 07/10/2026)

RECAP
77 July 13, 2026

Assented to MOTION for Extension of Time to 8/14/2026 to File Response/Reply as to 75 MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction and for Failure to State a Claim by Commonwealth of Massachusetts.(Klunder, Nita) (Entered: 07/13/2026)

RECAP
78 July 14, 2026

Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 77 Assented to Motion for Extension of Time to 8/14/2026 to File Response/Reply as to 75 Motion to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction and for Failure to State a Claim by Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (SKY) (Entered: 07/14/2026)

RECAP
July 14, 2026

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply

Case Details

State / Territory:

Massachusetts

Case Type(s):

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority

Public Benefits/Government Services

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: March 23, 2026

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Plaintiffs are twenty states in the United States of America and the District of Columbia.

Plaintiff Type(s):

State Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Federal

United States Department of Agriculture

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.

Constitutional Clause(s):

Spending/Appropriations Clauses

Other Dockets:

District of Massachusetts 1:26-cv-11396

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Attorneys fees

Declaratory judgment

Injunction

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Content of Injunction:

Preliminary relief granted

Issues

General/Misc.:

Funding

Government services

LGBTQ+:

LGBTQ+

Transgender

Recommended Citation