DES MOINES, Iowa (April 12, 2018) – On Tuesday, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law in effect prohibiting so-called “sanctuary cities” that refuse to help enforce some federal immigration laws. Senate Local Government Committee introduced Senate Bill 481 (SF481) on March 7. Under the new law, “a local entity shall not adopt or…
AUGUSTA, Maine (April 12, 2018) – Yesterday, the Maine Senate gave final approval to a bill to implement and regulate the state’s adult-use marijuana market. Final passage of the bill into law would effectuate a ballot initiative legalizing marijuana and further nullify federal cannabis prohibition in effect. Rep. Teresa Pierce (D-Falmouth) and Sen. Roger Katz (R-Augusta)…
RICHMOND, Va. (April 11, 2018) – Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has signed a bill into law implementing reporting requirements for all asset forfeitures in the state, including cases passed off to the federal government. The bill takes the first step that could lead to substantive reforms. Sen. Mark Peake (R) and Sen. Adam Ebbin (D)…
CONCORD, N.H. (April 11, 2018) – Yesterday, a New Hampshire Senate committee passed a bill that would prohibit the release of any information from the state’s medical marijuana registry to the federal government without a warrant. Passage of the legislation would take another small step toward nullifying federal cannabis prohibition in effect. A coalition of…
BATON ROUGE, La. (Apr. 10, 2018) – Last week, two bills that would relax restrictions on medical marijuana for qualifying patients in the state moved forward in the legislature. One bill was approved by the House, another by a House committee. Final passage of these bills would further nullify federal drug laws in the Pelican…
DENVER, Colo. (April 10, 2018) – Yesterday, the Colorado House passed a bill that would expand asset forfeiture reporting requirements instituted last year. Rep. Leslie Herod (D-Denver) introduced House Bill 1020 (HB1020) on Jan. 10. The legislation would expand asset forfeiture reporting requirements be redefining the agencies required to submit reports. Last year, Gov. John Hickenlooper signed…
Did you know the location of tattoo parlors in Long Beach, California is a federal matter? Yup. It sure is. The city was forced to alter its zoning laws for tattoo shops after a guy named James Real sued the city asserting that restrictions on tattoo businesses violated his First Amendment right to free speech.…
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (April 9, 2018) – Last week, the Tennessee Senate passed a bill that modestly reforms the state’s asset forfeiture laws, but leaves a loophole in place allowing police to circumvent stricter state laws by passing cases off to the feds. Rep. Mike Carter (R-Ooltewah) introduced House Bill 2021 (HB2021) in January. The legislation requires…
HB2104 passed the House by an overwhelming 136-1 vote on Mar. 8 and is now in the Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee where it will need to be approved before moving forward.
DAVIS, Calif. (April 6, 2018) – Last month, the city of Davis, Calif., passed a local ordinance that sets the stage to limit the acquisition and use of spy gear by law enforcement and other city agencies. The law will also help limit the impact of the federal surveillance state. The Surveillance Technology Ordinance requires public…