OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (Jan. 30, 2018) – A bill prefiled in the Oklahoma Senate would ban the warrantless collection of electronic data and the use of “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 the Sooner State, it…
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Jan. 30, 2018) – Yesterday, the California Senate passed a bill that would ban federal immigration officers from schools and state buildings unless they have a warrant. But questions remain on how the state could enforce it should it become law. Introduced by Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) and 16 co-sponsors, Senate…
A number of bills that have moved forward in several states over the last week. These include legislation to expand health freedom, to undermine the Federal Reserve's monopoly on money, to nullify federal hemp prohibition and to get government out of marriage.
JUNEAU, Alaska (Jan. 29, 2018) – A bill introduced in the Alaska House would ban the state from using resources to help the federal government enforce marijuana prohibition laws against people who are in compliance with the state law legalizing marijuana for medical purposes. Passage into law would greatly impact the federal government’s ability to…
On January 8, 1790, President George Washington delivered the very first Annual Message to a Joint Session of Congress (now known as the State of the Union address), in the Senate chamber of Federal Hall in New York City. The address fulfilled Article II, Section 3, Clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution, which states that…
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (Jan. 29, 2018) – A bill filed in the Oklahoma House would end government licensing of marriages in the state, effectively nullifying in practice both major sides of the contentious national debate over government-sanctioned marriage. Rep. Todd Russ (R-Cordell), filed House Bill 3454 (HB3454). The legislation would end the issuance of state…
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Jan. 29, 2018) – Last week, a Washington state House committee passed a bill that would improve the state’s asset forfeiture laws and set the stage to close a loophole that allows state and local police to circumvent more strict state forfeiture laws by passing cases off to the feds. Rep. Matt Shea (R-Spokane…
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (Jan. 29, 2018) – A Utah bill would expand raw milk sales in the state. Passage into law would take an important step toward rejecting a federal prohibition scheme in effect. Sen. David Hinkins (R-27) and Rep. Marc Roberts (R-67) introduced Senate Bill 108 (SB108) January 23. The legislation would expand existing laws…
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Jan. 29, 2018) – A bill introduced in the Maryland House would ban the warrantless use of “stingrays” to track the location of phones and sweep up electronic communications without a court order. Passage of the bill would not only protect privacy in Maryland, it would also hinder one aspect of the federal surveillance…
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 29, 2018) – A bill introduced in the Kentucky House would legalize medical marijuana for qualifying patients in the state, setting the foundation to nullify unconstitutional federal cannabis prohibition in practice. A coalition of 15 Democratic Party representatives introduced House Bill 166 (HB166) on Jan. 10. The legislation would legalize cannabis for medicinal…