States Archives

Virginia Bill Would Prohibit Warrantless Electronic Data Collection; Hinder Some Federal Surveillance Programs

RICHMOND, Va. (Jan. 25, 2016) – A Virginia bill 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 or wiretap order in most situations. Passage of the bill would not only protect privacy in Virginia, but would…

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West Virginia Bill Would Allow Industrial Hemp Production Without Federal Permission

CHARLESTON, W. Va. (Jan. 25, 2016) – A West Virginia bill would allow the state hemp seed commissioner to issue licenses for industrial hemp production without first obtaining federal waivers. Passage of this legislation would set the foundation to nullify in practice the unconstitutional federal prohibition of hemp within the state. Rep. Lloyd Arnold (D-Lincoln)…

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Alaska “Right to Try” Bill would Nullify in Practice Some FDA Restrictions on Terminal Patients

JUNEAU, Alaska – (Jan. 25, 2015) – An Alaska bill introduced earlier this month 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. Introduced by Rep. Scott Kawasaki on Jan. 8, House Bill 215 (HB215) would give terminally ill…

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Bills in Three States Would End Participation in Resettlement Program

(Jan. 24, 2016) – Bills introduced in Florida, Virginia and Arizona would prohibit state cooperation with some contentious federal refugee resettlement programs, a significant step towards nullifying them in practice within those states. Two separate bills were recently introduced in Virginia. House Bill 852 (HB852), sponsored by Del. Timothy Hugo (R), and House Bill 494 (HB494),…

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Florida Bill Would Legalize Medical Marijuana; Help Nullify Federal Prohibition

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Jan. 23, 2016) – A Florida House bill would legalize medical marijuana in the state, setting the foundation to nullify the unconstitutional federal prohibition on the same. Introduced by Rep. John Wood (R-Haines City), House Bill 1183 (H.1183) sets up a state regulatory regime that would allow medical marijuana to make its way into…

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California “Right to Try” Bill would Nullify in Practice Some FDA Restrictions on Terminal Patients

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Jan. 23, 2016) – After a Gov. Jerry Brown veto killed a similar effort last year, California will try again to 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 member introduced…

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Rhode Island “Right to Try” Bill would Nullify in Practice Some FDA Restrictions on Terminal Patients

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Jan. 22, 2016) – A Rhode Island bill introduced last week 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. Introduced by Rep. Joseph McNamara, House Bill 7156 (H7156) would give terminally ill patients access to medicines…

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Indiana Bill Would Nullify All EPA Regulations

INDIANAPOLIS (Jan. 22, 2016) – An Indiana bill would nullify all EPA regulations within the state, and place sole authority for environmental regulations in the hands of a state agency. Rep. Chris Judy, along with three cosponsors, filed House Bill 1296 (HB1296) on Jan. 12. The legislation rests on the following legislative finding: “The regulation…

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West Virginia Bill Would Require Courts to Inform Jurors of Their Right to Nullify

CHARLESTON, W.V., (Jan. 22, 2016) – A bill in the West Virginia State House would require judges to inform juries of their right to nullify. Introduced by Rep. Ray Canterbury (R – Greenbrier, 42) and two cosponsors, House Bill 2600 (HB2600) would require “a judge to instruct a jury regarding the availability of jury nullification and protecting…

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