JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Dec. 20, 2016) – A bill prefiled in the Missouri House would close a loophole that allows state and local police to circumvent stringent state asset forfeiture laws by passing cases of to the feds. Rep. Shamed Dogan (R-St. Louis) prefiled House Bill 231 (HB231) on Dec. 15. The legislation would prohibit…
Some state legislators in the Washington House are calling for the state to split and create a new breakaway state utilizing the process outlined in Article IV of the Constitution. Introduced by Rep. Matt Shea (R-Spokane Valley) and Rep. Bob McCaslin (R-Spokane Valley), House Joint Memorial 4000 (HJM4000) petitions Congress to create a 51st state…
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Dec. 19, 2016) – A bill prefiled in the Missouri legislature would create a process for the state to refuse to enforce rules and regulations issued by federal agencies, effectively nullifying such rules and regulation in practice within the state. Rep. Mike Moon (R- Ash Grove) prefiled House Bill 222 (HB222) on Dec.…
PHOENIX, Ariz. (Dec. 19 2016) – A bill set for introduction in the Arizona House would legalize marijuana for recreational use. Passage of the legislation would take a big step toward nullifying federal cannabis prohibition in practice as well. Rep. Mark Cardenas (D-Louisville) prefiled House Bill 2003 (HB2003) for introduction during the 2017 legislative session.…
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Dec. 19, 2016) – Last week, the Ohio Senate unanimously approved a bill that sets the foundation to nullify in practice some Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules that deny access to experimental treatments by terminally ill patients. The legislation now heads to Gov. John Kasich’s desk for his consideration. Rep. Robert Sprague…
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Dec. 19, 2016) – A bill prefiled in the South Carolina House would ban the use of “stingrays” to track the location of phones and sweep up electronic communications.The proposed law would not only protect privacy in South Carolina, but would also hinder one aspect of the federal surveillance state. Rep. J. Todd…
neither the text nor post-ratification practice nor framers' expectations (once we are focused on the right framers) supports the idea of a constitutional duty of the electors to exercise independent judgment.
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (Dec. 16, 2016) – 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. 16, 2016) – A bill prefiled in the Missouri legislature for the 2017 session would ensure customers can opt out of installing “smart meter” technology on their homes and businesses. Passage of the bill would allow Missourians to protect their own privacy, and it would take a step toward blocking a…
On June 8, 1789, James Madison addressed the House of Representatives and introduced a proposed Bill of Rights to the Constitution. However, just over a year earlier, Madison wrote another extremely important document.