CHEYENNE, Wyo. (March 30, 2016) – Some recent news headlines trumpeted asset forfeiture reform in Wyoming as a potential “game-changing precedent.” It could indeed be game-changing – like getting stopped on the goal line in the fourth quarter of a football game. Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead signed Senate File 46 into law on Feb. 29. It…
WASHINGTON (March 30, 2016) – The federal government’s Asset Forfeiture Equitable Sharing Program is back in business, proving once again that depending on the federal government to limit itself is a fool’s errand. Equitable Sharing allows state and local police to collect up to 80 percent of asset forfeiture proceeds when they hand cases off…
JACKSON, Miss. (Mar. 29, 2016) – Today, the Mississippi Senate passed a bill that not only allows unlicensed, “constitutional carry,” but also sets the foundation to reject and end new federal gun control regulations and executive orders. Originally introduced as a church security bill to allow those with a concealed carry permit to have a…
As Samuel Adams and James Otis warned, supporting the idea of a “living breathing” constitution has destroyed our foundation
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 28, 2016) – Today, the state House passed a bill setting the foundation to stop enforcement of gun control imposed by international law or treaty. The vote was 88-2 with 2 members not voting. House Bill 2389 (HB2389) was introduced by Rep. John Windle (D-Livingston) in January. It would prohibit law enforcement officers from enforcing…
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Mar. 28, 2016) – Wyoming’s Republican state House and Senate leadership soundly protected the status quo by killing six bills that would have blocked the federal enforcement of unconstitutional policies. A rundown of key legislation that failed in Wyoming this year follows: CONSTITUTIONAL TENDER Rep. David Miller (R-Riverton) introduced House Bill 124 (HB124)…
COLUMBIA, S.C. (March 28, 2016) – Last week, the South Carolina Senate stripped a bill of provisions to defund state participation in some contentious federal refugee resettlement programs. A coalition of seven senators introduced Senate Bill 997 (S.0997) on Jan. 14. The legislation would have generally banned state expenditures directly or indirectly benefiting a refugee placed…
TRENTON, N.J. (March 28, 2016) – A New Jersey bill would criminalize TSA nude body scans and subject TSA agents creating or distributing such images to criminal penalties. Sen. Michael Doherty (R-23) introduced Senate Bill 1420 (S1420) in February. The legislation would criminalize nude body scans at New Jersey airports. “For the purposes of this…
PIERRE, S.D. (March 28, 2016) – South Dakota State House and Senate leadership maintained the unconstitutional status quo. It killed five bills that would have blocked the federal enforcement of unconstitutional policies, squandering several golden opportunities for common sense reform in the Mount Rushmore State. The rundown of key legislation that failed in South Dakota…
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Mar. 28, 2016) – On Wednesday, the Rhode Island House Committee on Judiciary will hold a crucial hearing on a bill that would require a judicial order for the use of “stingrays” to track the location of phones and sweep up electronic communications. Passage of the bill would not only protect privacy in…