Which concept allows an organization to sue on behalf of its members to challenge a statute?

• A. Next friend doctrine
• B. Organizational standing
• C. 3rd party standing
• D. Taxpayer standing

Answer: (B)

The concept tested is organizational standing, the way a group can sue to protect its members’ interests. A group can bring a challenge to a statute when its members would have standing to sue in their own right, and the suit fits the organization’s purpose. The key test has three parts: first, the organization’s members must have a concrete injury that would give them standing if they sued individually; second, the asserted interests must be germane to the organization’s purposes; and third, the claim or relief cannot require the participation of individual members. This framework lets a trade association or advocacy group challenge laws that affect its members without each member filing a separate suit. The other concepts describe different scenarios: the next friend doctrine involves someone representing a party unable to sue; third-party standing concerns asserting the rights of a nonparty; taxpayer standing is generally unavailable for challenging statutes simply because one pays taxes. Organizational standing best fits the scenario of suing on behalf of members to challenge a statute.