HARTFORD, Conn. (July 19, 2017) – Last week, Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy signed a bill into law that significantly reforms the state’s asset forfeiture laws, but fails to close a loophole that allows police to circumvent more strict state laws by passing cases off to the feds. The House Banking Committee Committee introduced House Bill 7146 (HB7146)…
A bill working its way through the Rhode Island state legislature would require the state departments to enforce the Federal Food Safety Modernization Act. Rep. Blake Filippi made a strong case that no state agency should enforce this onerous federal law. The federal act set to go into effect in 2018 imposes 600 pages of rules and…
I was recently a guest on the Robert Scott Bell show to talk about a big win for food sovereignty in Maine. During the interview, we discussed how local action can actually impede big federal agencies like the FDA. LISTEN: Last month, Maine Gov. Paul LePage signed a bill into law that gives local governments…
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (July 14, 2017) – Earlier this week, a second California Assembly committee passed a bill that would require all law enforcement agencies in the state to get local government approval before acquiring or using surveillance technology. Passage of the bill would take the first step toward limiting the unchecked use of surveillance technologies…
CONCORD, N.H. (July 13, 2017) – Earlier this week, a bill that bans the use of “stingrays” to track the location of phones and sweep up electronic communications without a warrant in most situations became law without the governor’s signature. The new statute not only protects privacy in New Hampshire, but will also hinder one…
CONCORD, N.H. (July 12, 2017) – Last month, Governor John Sununu signed two bills into law that will expand the state’s medical marijuana program. These measures further nullify the federal prohibition on cannabis in practice in the state. Rep. Eric Schleien (R-Hillsborough) sponsored House Bill 157 (HB157) and House Bill 160 (HB160). The legislation expanded…
This past Fourth of July provided a perfect example of the power of nullification in effect. The city where I live has a very strict ordinance banning most fireworks. As the police here in Lexington, Ky., explain it, “If it goes up or blows up, it’s illegal.” Well, I’ll let you in on a little…
col·lu·sion kəˈlo͞oZHən/ noun noun: collusion secret or illegal cooperation or conspiracy, especially in order to cheat or deceive others. synonyms: conspiracy, connivance, complicity, intrigue, plotting, secret understanding, collaboration, scheming We have heard a lot about collusion recently however collusion doesn’t just happen in DC, it happens and is happening in your own back yard. …
AUGUSTA, Maine (July 6, 2017) – Last month, Maine Gov. Paul LePage signed a bill into law that gives local governments the authority to enact ordinances regulating local food distribution without state interference. The new law not only takes a big step forward for food sovereignty and local control by limiting state regulation, it will…
CHARLESTON, W. Va. (July 5, 2017) – Yesterday, a West Virginia law went into effect that significantly expands the state’s hemp licensing program, opening the door for anybody in the state to produce or process industrial hemp for commercial purposes. The new law sets the foundation to end federal prohibition of hemp in effect in the…