Issues

Special Report: Three More States Consider Bills to Block Federal Gun Control

We recently reported on five states with bills to reject federal gun control measures. And this week, we can add three additional states, with more likely to join soon.

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Virginia House Passes Bill Setting Foundation to Reject EPA Clean Power Plan

RICHMOND, Va. (Jan. 27, 2016) – A Virginia bill that would take a small, but important, first step in setting the stage to reject federal some EPA rules and regulations in practice passed out of the state House today. HB2 would require the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to prepare an extensive report highlighting the…

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Nebraska Committee Holds Hearing on Bill to Stop Spying by Stingray and ALPR

LINCOLN, Neb. (Jan. 26, 2016) – Last week, an important Nebraska committee held a hearing on two bills that would protect privacy and hinder some federal surveillance programs. LB738 would completely ban law enforcement agencies in the state from purchasing and using cell-site simulator technology or devices. Any law enforcement agency already in possession of…

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Virginia House Passes Bill to Authorize Hemp Farming without Federal Permission, 98-0

RICHMOND, Va. (Jan. 26, 2016) – Today, the Virginia House of Delegates passed a bill to authorize the farming, and production of industrial hemp in the state for commercial purposes, setting the foundation to nullify in practice the unconstitutional federal prohibition on the same. The vote was 98-0. Introduced by Del. Brenda Pogge (R-Norge), House Bill 699 (HB699)…

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Florida Subcommittee Votes 8-3 to Outlaw Most Abortions; Nullify Roe v. Wade in Practice

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Jan. 25, 2016) – Today, the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee passed a bill that would outlaw most abortions, nullifying the Supreme Court opinion of Roe v. Wade in practice. Charles Van Zant (R – Palatka) filed House Bill 865 (HB865) on Dec. 2. Titled the “Florida for Life Act,” the legislation would prohibit abortions, with…

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West Virginia Bill Would Block Unconstitutional National Guard Deployments

CHARLESTON, W.V. (Jan. 25, 2016) – A bill introduced in the West Virginia House of Delegates this month would block unconstitutional foreign deployments of the state’s national guard troops, effectively restoring the Founders’ framework for state-federal balance on the Guard. House Bill 2168 (HB2168), the Defend the Guard Act, was introduced by Del. Pat McGeehan (R-Hancock),…

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Virginia Bill Would Prohibit Warrantless Electronic Data Collection; Hinder Some Federal Surveillance Programs

RICHMOND, Va. (Jan. 25, 2016) – A Virginia bill would end warrantless collection of cell phone data and ban the use “stingrays” to track the location of phones and sweep up electronic communications without a warrant or wiretap order in most situations. Passage of the bill would not only protect privacy in Virginia, but would…

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South Carolina Bill Takes on all Future Federal Gun Control Measures

COLUMBIA, S.C. (Jan. 25, 2016) – A South Carolina bill would bar state cooperation with any future federal gun control measures, effectively nullifying them in practice within the state. A coalition of 16 Republican representatives introduced House Bill 4701 (H4701) on Jan. 19. Titled the Second Amendment Preservation Act, the legislation would prohibit the state…

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West Virginia Bill Would Allow Industrial Hemp Production Without Federal Permission

CHARLESTON, W. Va. (Jan. 25, 2016) – A West Virginia bill would allow the state hemp seed commissioner to issue licenses for industrial hemp production without first obtaining federal waivers. Passage of this legislation would set the foundation to nullify in practice the unconstitutional federal prohibition of hemp within the state. Rep. Lloyd Arnold (D-Lincoln)…

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Alaska “Right to Try” Bill would Nullify in Practice Some FDA Restrictions on Terminal Patients

JUNEAU, Alaska – (Jan. 25, 2015) – An Alaska bill introduced earlier this month would set the foundation to nullify in practice some Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules that deny access to experimental treatments by terminally ill patients. Introduced by Rep. Scott Kawasaki on Jan. 8, House Bill 215 (HB215) would give terminally ill…

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