A number of states will consider bills to reform state asset forfeiture laws during the upcoming legislative session. One special interest group opposing the reform movement shows why so many people call asset forfeiture “policing for profit.” The Oklahoma bill, along with legislation introduced in other states, would require a criminal conviction before law enforcement…
INDIANAPOLIS (Jan. 8, 2016) – A bill has been filed in the Indiana state House that would end mandatory government licensing of marriages in the state, effectively nullifying in practice both major sides of the contentious national debate over government-sanctioned marriage. Introduced by Rep. Jim Lucas, House Bill 1041 (HB1041) would eliminate three requirements currently in place in…
PHOENIX, Ariz. (Jan. 7, 2016) – A bill prefiled in the Arizona House would set the stage for the state to refuse cooperation with any executive orders or Supreme Court opinions “not in pursuance of the Constitution,” nullifying such actions in effect. Rep. Mark Finchem (R-Tucson), along with seven other sponsors and cosponsors, introduced House…
RICHMOND, Va. (Jan. 7, 2016) – A bill prefiled in the Virginia House would prohibit state cooperation or implementation for most of Obamacare, taking a huge step toward nullifying the federal health care program in practice within the state. Del. Brenda Pogge (R-Norge) prefiled House Bill 338 (HB338) on Jan. 5. The legislation would prohibit the state…
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Jan. 7, 2016) – Two bills filed in the Wyoming House would significantly ease the state’s marijuana laws, taking a big step toward nullifying federal cannabis prohibition in practice in the state. Rep. James Byrd (D-Laramie) prefiled House Bill 3 (HB0003) on Dec. 17. The legislation would decriminalize possession of small amounts of…
CONCORD, N.H. (Jan. 7, 2015) – A proposed amendment to the New Hampshire state constitution would effectively ban any state funding of Planned Parenthood, or any organization involved in abortion. This would take a small step toward effectively nullifying Roe v. Wade in the Live Free of Die State. A coalition of 17 legislators prefiled…
RICHMOND, Va. (Jan. 6, 2016) – A bill filed in the Virginia Senate 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 law. Sen.…
CONCORD, N.H. (Jan. 6, 2015) – Three bills introduced in the New Hampshire legislature would legalize marijuana for recreational use. Passage of any would not only legalize marijuana in the Live Free or Die State, but would also take a big step toward nullifying federal cannabis prohibition in practice in the state. The three proposed bills…
ALBANY, N.Y., (Jan. 6, 2015) – A bill proposed in the New York legislature would allow certain students to opt out of Common Core Standards and testing, a small step toward nullifying nationalized education in the state. The law would provide additional backing to some of the hundreds of thousands of New York parents who have already…
Patients facing life-threatening illnesses now have more treatment options open to them in Illinois and Oregon thanks to new laws tearing down federal roadblocks that went into effect on New Year’s Day. These new “Right to Try” laws effectively nullify in practice some Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules that stop terminally ill patients from…