The California Assembly has an opportunity to send an historic and powerful asset forfeiture reform bill to Governor Jerry Brown for a signature. Senate Bill 443 (SB443) passed the Senate 38-1 in June, and already passed unanimously out of the Public Safety Committee in the Assembly earlier this month. BUT, inside sources close to the…
NIGHT WATCHMAN Once upon a time the government had a vast scrap yard in the middle of a desert.Congress said, “Someone may steal from it at night.” So they created a night watchman position and hired a person for the job. Then Congress said, “How does the watchman do his job without instruction?” So they […] Permalink: https:/?p=107540
CONCORD, N.H. (July 24, 2015) – A bill prohibiting law enforcement from obtaining location data from electronic devices without a warrant in most cases became law in New Hampshire this week. The new law not only protects privacy in New Hampshire, but also takes an important first step in addressing the growing federal surveillance state.…
HONOLULU, Hawaii (July 23, 2015) – Medical marijuana dispensaries will open in Hawaii in 2016, representing another step toward nullifying the federal ban on cannabis in practice in the Aloha State. On July 14, Gov. David I. Ige signed HB321 into law. The bill sets up the framework for operating retail medical marijuana dispensaries in…
A bill recently signed into law in Texas that will set up a state gold depository represents a power shift away from the federal government to the state, and it provides a blueprint that could ultimately end the Fed. Gov. Greg Abbot signed the law creating the state gold bullion and precious metal depository last…
A recent article at the Daily Chronic indicates some confusion still exists. about the legal and practical effects of a Connecticut hemp bill that went into effect July 1. HB5780 removed any mention of industrial hemp from the Connecticut criminal code that classifies marijuana as a banned controlled substance. From the official summary of the legislation:…
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (July 20, 2015) – A California bill that would create a mechanism to stop transfers of military equipment to state or local law enforcement agencies cleared its final committee hurdle last and will now move on to the Senate floor when it returns from a summer recess in August. Introduced by Asm. Nora Campos…
DOVER, Del. (July 20, 2015) – Last week, a Delaware “Common Core opt-out bill” was vetoed by Gov. Jack Markell. Since the bill passed by veto-proof majorities in both houses, insiders suggest that an override is possible when the legislature reconvenes in January. Introduced by Rep. John Kowalko (D-Newark) in March along with eight bipartisan cosponsors,…
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (July 17, 2015) – Two California bills that would work together to help end the warrantless use of “stingrays” passed unanimously out of important Assembly committees this week. Passage into law would not only help protect privacy in California, but would also hinder part of the federal surveillance state. Sen. Mark Leno (D)…
SACRAMENTO, Ca. (July 15, 2015) – Yesterday, a California Assembly Committee unanimously passed a bill that not only bolsters restrictions on state officials from seizing property without due process, but throws a wrench into federal efforts to do the same. Previously passed by the Senate, it moves one step closer to the Governor’s desk. Introduced by…