Washington, D.C. — On June 27, 2026 the United States Supreme Court declined to hear California Trucking Association Inc. v. Bonta, and a week later on July 2, 2026 it also refused to review C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc. v. Miller, sending both disputes back to lower courts.

The two cases touch the core of how carriers, brokers and independent drivers do business. California’s AB5 law forces many contractors to be treated as employees, a shift that could upend the business model of owner‑operators who rely on flexible contracts. The trucking community has long argued that federal statutes, including the FMCSA regulations, should preempt state attempts to reclassify drivers.

In the California fight, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld AB5 as consistent with federal law, a ruling that threatens the livelihoods of roughly 70,000 owner‑operators statewide. Meanwhile, C.H. Robinson contended that a federal exemption bars negligence suits against freight brokers, a position the Supreme Court left untouched, leaving the lower court to decide the scope of broker liability.

What This Means for Drivers

Owner‑operators in California now face the prospect of being re‑classified as employees, which could mean loss of mileage pay, higher tax burdens and reduced control over routes. CDL‑A drivers operating under contract may have to renegotiate rates to comply with wage‑and‑hour rules that apply to employees. Fleet managers in other states watch the outcome closely, fearing a ripple effect that could force nationwide adoption of similar classification standards. The uncertainty also complicates compliance planning for trucking companies that must balance FMCSA regulations with evolving state statutes.

Industry Reaction

The California Trucking Association called the Supreme Court’s inaction a “missed opportunity” to protect independent drivers, warning that the lower‑court decision could trigger a wave of lawsuits. C.H. Robinson’s legal team expressed disappointment, noting that a clear Supreme Court ruling would have provided needed certainty for brokers nationwide. Across the country, owner‑operators and carrier groups have rallied on forums and social media, urging legislators to clarify the preemption language and protect the flexibility that underpins the OTR truck driver market.

Key Points

• Supreme Court declined to review California Trucking Association Inc. v. Bonta on June 27, 2026.
• Case C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc. v. Miller was also denied review on July 2, 2026.
• 9th Circuit upheld California AB5, putting 70,000 owner‑operators at risk of reclassification.
• Both matters are now back in lower courts, leaving truck driver jobs and broker liability in limbo.

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