Signed by the Governor: Tennessee Decriminalizes Firearm “Silencers”

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 10, 2017) – Yesterday, Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam signed a bill into law decriminalizing the manufacture and possession of firearm suppressors in the state. The new law not only removes a layer of state regulation, it will help foster an environment hostile to federal gun control in Tennessee. Sen. Steve Southerland (R-Morristown) introduced…

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Maine Bill Would Void Common Core Standards in the State

AUGUSTA, Maine. (May 10, 2017) – A Maine bill up for a hearing today would withdraw the state from Common Core. Rep. William Tuell (R-East Machias) introduced House Bill 1578 (LD1578) with five co-sponsors. The bill would void Common Core standards and would be replaced with the educational standards that were in place in Massachusetts before…

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Kansas Bill Would Support Sound Money, Exempt Gold and Silver from Sales Tax

TOPEKA, Kan. (May 9, 2017) – A bill introduced in the Kansas House would exempt gold and silver bullion, and other precious metals, from sales tax, taking a small but important step toward rejecting the Federal Reserve’s monopoly on money. The House of Delegates Taxation Committee introduced House Bill 2421 (HB2421) on May 2. The legislation…

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Louisiana Bill Would Expand Right to Try Act, Further Rejecting Some FDA Restrictions

BATON ROUGE, La. (May 9, 2017) – A bill introduced in the Louisiana House would expand the states Right to Try law to include technology designed to help ALS patients with mobility. Passage into law would set the foundation to nullify in practice a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules that deny these patients’ access…

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New Hampshire Bill to Close Federal Asset Forfeiture Loophole Faces Intense Police Opposition

CONCORD, N.H. (May 8, 2017) –  A New Hampshire bill that would close a federal loophole allowing state and local police to circumvent stringent state asset forfeiture laws by passing cases off to the feds will go to the Senate floor later this week facing fierce oppostion. Rep, Michael Sylvia (R-Belmont) and Rep. John Burt (R-Goffstown)…

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Texas Committee Passes Bill to Review and Reject Unconstitutional Federal Acts

AUSTIN, Texas (May 7, 2017) – On Thursday, a Texas House committee passed a bill that would create a mechanism to review federal laws and end state cooperation with enforcement of those determined to violate the U.S. Constitution. This process would set the stage to effectively block some federal laws and acts in the Lone…

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Hemp Decriminalized in Washington, But Opposition Remains Strong

OLYMPIA, Wash. (May 5, 2017) – A bill recently signed by Washington Gov. Gov. Jay Inslee removed industrial hemp from the states controlled substance list, authorizing hemp production despite federal prohibition. But at least one state agency refuses to go down without a fight and essentially wants to help attorney general Jeff Sessions wage his…

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Texas House Passes Bill to Facilitate Operation of Bullion Depository

AUSTIN, Texas (May 5, 2017) – Yesterday, the Texas House unanimously passed a bill that would facilitate the establishment and operation of the Texas Bullion Depository; helping to undermine the Federal Reserve’s monopoly on money. Rep. Giovanni Capriglione (R-Keller) introduced House Bill 3169 (HB3169) in March. The legislation includes various provisions for the operation and administration of…

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Signed by the Governor: Montana Bill Taking on Warrantless Electronic Data Collection

HELENA, Mont. (May 4, 2017) – Yesterday, Montana Gov. Steve Bullock signed a bill to require police to get a warrant in order to obtain electronic communication information from service providers in most cases. The new law will not only increase privacy protections in the state, it will also hinder one practical aspect of federal…

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Vermont House Passes Marijuana Legalization Bill

MONTPELIER, Vt. (May 4, 2017) – Yesterday, the Vermont House passed a bill that would legalize possession and cultivation of small amounts of marijuana. If approved, the legislation would help further nullify the unconstitutional federal prohibition on cannabis in the state. A bipartisan coalition of four representatives introduced House Bill 170 (H.170) in February. The legislation…

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