Special Report: 3 States Advance Privacy Bills

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…

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Tennessee House Subcommittee Unanimously Kills Bill to Restrict Asset Forfeiture, Close Federal Loophole

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…

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Missouri House Committee Unanimously Passes Bill Taking on EPA Clean Power Plan

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…

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Tennessee House Votes 94-0 for Resolution in Support of Creating a Bullion Depository

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…

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Arizona House Committee Passes Bill Setting Stage to Reject and Block Federal Indefinite Detention and Targeted Assassination Program

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Mar. 16, 2016) – Today, an Arizona House committee passed a bill that would take a big step toward rejecting indefinite detention under the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2012, and other federal laws which claim to authorize using the laws of war domestically. Introduced by State Sen. Judy Burges, Senate Bill 1437 (SB1437) declares any attempts to use…

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Arizona Senate Committee Passes Bill to Reject any new Federal Gun Control over Heavy Opposition

PHOENIX, Ariz. – (Mar. 15, 2016) – Today, an important Arizona Senate committee passed a bill to prohibit the state from using personnel or resources to enforce any new federal gun control measures, setting the foundation to nullify them in practice within the state.  Rep. Anthony Kern (R-Glendale), Rep. Darin Mitchell (R-Dist. 13) and Rep. Steve Montenegro (R-Avondale) filed House…

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Minnesota Bill Takes on Bulk Warrantless Data Collection and Stingray Spying; Would Also Hinder Some Federal Surveillance Programs

ST. PAUL, Minn. (March 15, 2016) – A Minnesota electronic data protection 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 in most situations. Passage of the bill would not only protect privacy in Minnesota, but…

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Alabama Committee Passes Bill Eliminating Marriage Licensing

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (March 15, 2016) A bill that would abolish marriage licenses in Alabama and effectively nullify both sides of the contentious debate on same-sex marriage passed an important committee earlier this month. If passed, the bill would essentially remove the state from the business of marriage. Sen. Greg Albritton (R-Bay Minette) introduced Senate Bill…

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Wyoming Bill Expanding Health Freedom Signed Into Law

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (March 15, 2016) – A Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead signed a bill into law that will help facilitate healthcare freedom and set the foundation to nullify Obamacare in practice earlier this month. It went into immediate effect. The new law (SF49) specifies that direct primary care agreements (sometimes called medical retainer agreements) do not constitute insurance,…

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