Missouri Senate Committee Passes Bill to Ban Warrantless Use of Stingrays; Hinder Federal Surveillance Program

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (March 23, 2016) – Last week, an important Missouri Senate committee passed a bill that would ban the warrantless use “stingrays” to track the location of phones and sweep up electronic communications in most situations. Passage of the bill would not only protect privacy in Missouri, but would also hinder one aspect…

Continue ReadingMissouri Senate Committee Passes Bill to Ban Warrantless Use of Stingrays; Hinder Federal Surveillance Program

Missouri Resolution Would Start Process of Eliminating Marriage Licenses

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (March 23, 2016) – A proposed Missouri resolution would begin the process of abolishing government marriage licenses in the state, effectively nullifying both sides of the contentious debate on same-sex marriage. Rep. Jeff Pogue(R) introduced House Concurrent Resolution 113 (HCR113) on March 14. The resolution calls on the legislature to agree to file…

Continue ReadingMissouri Resolution Would Start Process of Eliminating Marriage Licenses

Tennessee House Committee Passes Bill Setting Stage to Reject Gun Control by International Law or Treaty

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 22, 2016) – Today, a House committee passed a bill taking a first step toward withdrawing state resources and personnel from enforcing gun control based on international law or treaties. Passage into law would set the foundation to block such gun control in effect. House Bill 2389 (HB2389) was introduced by Rep. John…

Continue ReadingTennessee House Committee Passes Bill Setting Stage to Reject Gun Control by International Law or Treaty

Mississippi Senate Committee Passes Bill Setting Foundation to Reject Some Federal Gun Control

JACKSON, Miss. (Mar. 22, 2016) – A Mississippi bill that would set the foundation to reject and end new federal gun control regulations and executive orders passed an important Senate committee last week. The bill already passed the full House and will now move to the full Senate for further consideration. Rep. Mark Formby (R-Picayune),…

Continue ReadingMississippi Senate Committee Passes Bill Setting Foundation to Reject Some Federal Gun Control

Alabama Bill Would Reject Federal Gun Control; Set Stage to Nullify It in Practice

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (March 21, 2016) – A bill introduced in the Alabama House would take the first step toward blocking federal gun control in the Yellowhammer State. Rep. Ed Henry (R-Decatur) introduced House Bill 437 (HB437) on March 17. The legislation asserts all federal acts, laws, orders, rules, or regulations regarding firearms constitute a “violation…

Continue ReadingAlabama Bill Would Reject Federal Gun Control; Set Stage to Nullify It in Practice

Missouri Committee Holds Hearing on Bill to Restrict ALPR Use, Help Block National License Plate Tracking Program

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (March 21, 2016) – Last week, a Missouri Senate Committee held a hearing on a bill that would place imitations on the storage and sharing of information collected by automated license plate readers (ALPRs) by law enforcement in the state. Based on the testimony, it seem the bill has enough support to…

Continue ReadingMissouri Committee Holds Hearing on Bill to Restrict ALPR Use, Help Block National License Plate Tracking Program

Pennsylvania House Votes 149-43 to Legalize Medical Marijuana; Foundation to Nullify Federal Prohibition

HARRISBURG, Penn. (Mar. 21, 2016) – The Pennsylvania House has passed a bill to legalize medical marijuana in the state. If ultimately signed into law, it would take another step toward nullifying the unconstitutional federal prohibition on on cannabis in effect. Introduced by State Sen. Michael Folmer (R-Lebanon), Senate Bill 3 (SB3) would set up…

Continue ReadingPennsylvania House Votes 149-43 to Legalize Medical Marijuana; Foundation to Nullify Federal Prohibition

To the Governor’s Desk: West Virginia Passes Bill to End Common Core; Potential Loopholes Remain

CHARLESTON, Wv. (Mar. 21, 2015) – A bill introduced in the West Virginia House to withdraw the state from Common Core standards passed a State vote. Having previously passed in the House, it is slated for the Governor’s desk. However, alterations were made during the process that could impact the effect of the bill. House…

Continue ReadingTo the Governor’s Desk: West Virginia Passes Bill to End Common Core; Potential Loopholes Remain

A Rare 10th Amendment Victory in the Federal Courts, But it’s Far from Over

The Supreme Court today announced that it won’t hear the Oklahoma/Nebraska anti-10th Amendment lawsuit against Colorado’s marijuana market.  From USA Today The Supreme Court refused Monday to referee a simmering dispute between Colorado and two neighboring states over the cross-border impact of marijuana legalization, heartening legalization advocates who feared the high court could have rolled back…

Continue ReadingA Rare 10th Amendment Victory in the Federal Courts, But it’s Far from Over