Apparently, a lot of Republicans only hate executive orders when President Obama signs them. Last week, Donald Trump announced he would sign an executive order mandating the death penalty for “cop-killers.” “One of the first things I do, in terms of executive order if I win, will be to sign a strong, strong statement that…
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (Dec. 18, 2015) – A bill filed in the Utah House for the 2016 legislative session would reform the state’s asset forfeiture laws, making it more difficult for police to seize property. But a loophole in the legislation would allow law enforcement to work with the feds to skirt the more stringent state…
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Dec. 18, 2015) – A bill prefiled in the Missouri Senate would limit the warrantless use of “stingrays” to track the location of phones and sweep up electronic communications. Passage of the bill would not only protect privacy in the Show-Me, but would also hinder one aspect of the federal surveillance state.…
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Dec. 17, 2015) – A Kentucky House bill prefiled for 2016 would legalize marijuana for recreational use, taxing and regulating the crop similar to alcohol. The proposal would not only legalize marijuana in the Bluegrass State, it would also take a big step toward nullifying federal cannabis prohibition in practice in Kentucky. Sen.…
Missouri HJR57 and SB762 would legalize recreational marijuana. SJR29 would legalize marijuana for medical use. Passage of any would further nullify unconstitutional federal prohibition in practice within the state. Each of these bills were pre-filed for the 2016 legislative year, and have yet to receive an official committee assignment. PLEASE TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS to…
MONTPELIER, Vt. (Dec. 16, 2015) – A privacy bill prefiled in the Vermont Senate would restrict the use of drones by state and local law enforcement, and would also provide some restrictions on sharing of data gathered by automatic license plate readers in the state. The legislation would not only establish important privacy protections at…
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Dec. 16, 2015) – A bill prefiled in the Missouri legislature would set the stage to nullify presidential executive orders. Rep. Tim Remole (R-06) prefiled House Bill 1791 (HB1791) on Dec. 11. The bill would require the state general assembly to “adopt and enact any and all measures as may be necessary…
LANSING, Mich. (Dec. 16, 2015) – A bill filed in Michigan yesterday would not only support efforts to turn off water and electricity to NSA facilities in Utah, Texas and other states, but also would have immediate practical effects on federal surveillance programs if passed. Rep. Martin Howrylak, along with 21 cosponsors from both sides of…
CONCORD, N.H. (Dec. 16, 2015) – A New Hampshire bill pre-filed for 2016 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. Pre-filed by Rep. Frank Edelbut (R-Wilbut), House Bill 1138 (HB1138) would give terminally ill patients access to…
LANSING, Mich. (Dec. 15, 2015) – A Michigan bill that would nullify in practice certain federal “voluntary” checkpoints in the state continues to move through the legislative process. Rep. Jim Runestad (R-44) introduced House Bill 4870 (HB4870) on Sept. 16. The legislation would prohibit state and local law enforcement agencies and personnel from participating in,…