BOSTON, Mass. (Mar. 18, 2015) – A Massachusetts House bill to terminate Common Core educational standards, an important step toward nullifying nationalized education in the state, has stalled in committee and will likely need more signatures to appear on the ballot in November. House Bill 3929 (H.3929) is the result of a initiative petition files…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (March 18, 2016) – An important Illinois Senate committee has passed a bill that would ban the use of “stingrays” to track the location of phones and sweep up electronic communications without a warrant in most situations. The proposed legislation would not only protect privacy in the Illinois, but would also hinder one…
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 17, 2016) – After voting to kill a bill last month that would have taken a first step toward withdrawing state resources and personnel from enforcing gun control based on international law or treaties, a House subcommittee reconsidered the bill and passed it by a 3-2 vote yesterday. Rep. John Windle and Rep.…
I keep hearing people talk about a “First Amendment right to free speech.” The constitution doesn’t “give you” any such right.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (March 17, 2016) – A bill recently introduced in the Pennsylvania Senate would take a step toward nullifying indefinite detention under the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012 (NDAA) or any other federal act. Sen. Mike Folmer (R-Lebanon) introduced Senate Bill 1150 (SB1150) earlier this month. The legislation would prohibit the Commonwealth, its…
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (March 17, 2016) – A California bill that would restrict warrantless drone surveillance by state and local law enforcement unanimously passed an important Assembly committee this week. If ultimately signed into law, the legislation would not only establish important privacy protections at the state level, it would also help thwart the federal surveillance…
While most privacy activists have their attention on the FBI-Apple standoff, a number of states are considering important bills to help stop mass surveillance – no matter what the outcome. In Oklahoma last week, the Senate passed a bill that would strictly limit the use of Automated license plate readers and help block a nationwide…
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Mar 16, 2016) – Today, a House Subcommittee voted unanimously to kill a bill reform asset forfeiture laws to prohibit the state from taking property without a criminal conviction. The legislation would have also taken on federal forfeiture programs by banning prosecutors from circumventing state laws by passing cases off to the feds in…
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (March 16, 2016) – A Missouri House committee passed a bill yesterday that would take a small, but important, first step in setting the foundation to reject some federal EPA rules and regulations in practice. Rep. Jack Bondon (R-Belton) introduced House Bill 2543 (HB2543) in February. The legislation would require the Missouri Department of…
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 16, 2016) – Yesterday, the Tennessee House unanimously passed a resolution that would set the stage for creation of state bullion depository, an important first step toward establishing gold and silver as money in the state. Rep. Bud Hulsey (R-Kingsport) introduced House Joint Resolution 516 (HJR516) in January. The resolution expresses support for creation of a…