State of California et al v. United States Department of Agriculture

Detected April 8th, 2026

Summary

The Northern District of California has docketed recent filings in State of California et al v. USDA, a civil action challenging agency decisions under the Administrative Procedures Act. Recent entries include a Second Amended Complaint adding new plaintiffs and defendant Brooke Rollins (USDA Acting Secretary), a joint status report, and procedural orders including pro hac vice admissions for attorneys representing plaintiff states including Washington, Massachusetts, Maryland, D.C., Kentucky, and others.

View original document View source feed page

What changed

The docket reflects routine procedural filings in an active civil case. A Second Amended Complaint was filed on April 3, 2026, adding additional plaintiff states and expanding the defendant list to include Brooke Rollins as USDA Acting Secretary and the USDA Office of Inspector General. The parties filed a joint status report on March 31, 2026, updating the court on case progress.

For affected parties, this case represents ongoing litigation challenging USDA administrative decisions. The addition of multiple states as co-plaintiffs signals broad coalition opposition to the agency's actions. Any final judgment could affect agricultural programs, food assistance, or USDA operations affecting the plaintiff states and potentially other jurisdictions. Parties with interests in USDA-administered programs should monitor case developments for potential impacts on program operations or eligibility.

What to do next

Monitor docket for substantive rulings on motions
Review Second Amended Complaint for new claims and relief sought

Source document (simplified)

State of California et al v. United States Department of Agriculture et al

Case Number: 3:25-cv-06310-MMC Judge: Chesney, Maxine M. Location: San Francisco Case Type: Civil Case Basis: U.S. Government Defendant Nature of Suit: Other Statutes: Administrative Procedures Act/Review or Appeal of Agency Decision Date Filed:

July 28, 2025

Last Filing Date:

March 20, 2026

View Publicly Available Documents Case Summary No summary of this case is available

Recent Filings

| Date Filed | Docket Number | Document Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 04-07-26 | 150 | ORDER GRANTING APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION OF ATTORNEY PRO HAC VICE. The application of attorney Julie Moroney is granted. Signed by Judge Maxine M. Chesney on 4/7/2026. (mmcalc, COURT STAFF) |
| 04-06-26 | 147 | ORDER RE: JOINT STATUS REPORT. Signed by Judge Maxine M. Chesney on 4/6/2026. (mmcalc, COURT STAFF) |
| 04-06-26 | 149 | MOTION for leave to appear in Pro Hac Vice ( Filing fee $ 328, receipt number ACANDC-21838876.) filed by State of Washington. (Moroney, Julie) |
| 04-03-26 | 145 | STIPULATION Regarding Filing of Second Amended Complaint filed by Commonwealth of Massachusetts, District of Columbia, Office of the Governor ex rel. Andy Beshear, in his official capacity as Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Josh S |
| 04-03-26 | 146 | AMENDED COMPLAINT / Second Amended Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief against Brooke Rollins, U.S. Department of Agriculture's Office of Inspector General, United States Department of Agriculture. Filed by State of Maryland, |
| 03-31-26 | 143 | STATUS REPORT (Joint) by Brooke Rollins, U.S. Department of Agriculture's Office of Inspector General, United States Department of Agriculture. (Attachments: # (1) Exhibit, # (2) Proposed Order (Plaintiffs), # (3) Proposed Order (Defe |
Return to top