PHOENIX, Ariz. (June 8, 2016) – Intense opposition by law enforcement lobbyists killed an Arizona bill that would have prohibited 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.…
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (June 6, 2016) – Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has signed a bill into law that significantly reforms asset forfeiture laws. But an amendment approved during the process creates a loophole that could allow law enforcement to work with the feds to skirt the more stringent state law. Joseph F. Vallario, Jr. (D-Prince George’s County) sponsored House…
LANSING, Mich. (Jun. 6, 2016) – A bill introduced recently in the Michigan House 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 Michigan,…
BATON ROUGE, La. (June 6, 2016) – Last week, Louisiana Gov. John Bell Edwards signed a bill into law that requires a court order for the use of “stingrays” to track the location of phones and sweep up electronic communications. The new law will not only protect privacy in the state, but will also hinder…
COLUMBIA, S.C. (June 5, 2016) – On Friday, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley signed into law 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. A bipartisan coalition of seven Representatives sponsored House Bill 4542 (H.4542). The new law gives…
JACKSON, Miss. (June 3, 2016) – The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality has put a pause on implementing the EPA “Clean Power Plan.” The move sets a precedent that state could ultimately use to permanently nullify the federal program in effect. According to DEQ spokesman Robbie Wilbur, the agency will hold off implementing the plan…
LANSING, Mich. (Jun. 2, 2016) – The Michigan House overwhelmingly approved a resolution Thursday that would give voters an opportunity to put “electronic data and communications” on the same level as “persons, houses, papers and possessions” in the state constitution. If ultimately passed, it would also set the foundation to help block a small but intrusive practical effect…
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (June 2, 2016) – Two local New York law enforcement agencies spent over $550,000 purchasing and maintaining stingray devices to track the location of phones and sweep up electronic communications. Documents obtained by the ACLU reveal the departments went to great lengths to hide the existence of the devices and rarely obtain court…
The industrial hemp industry in Colorado is expanding in spite of federal prohibition after the people of the state voted to legalize hemp farming. It demonstrates how the people themselves can nullify unconstitutional federal laws by taking direct action at the ballot box and through market activity. According to Pueblo Chieftain, the amount of acreage…
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (June 1, 2016) – Yesterday, the California Assembly overwhelmingly passed a bill that would set the foundation to nullify in practice some Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules that deny access to experimental treatments by terminally ill patients. A massive bipartisan coalition of 29 Assembly members introduced Assembly Bill 1668 (AB1668) on Jan.…