LINCOLN, Neb. (Feb. 8, 2018) – Today, the Nebraska legislature unanimously passed a bill that would put limitations on the storage and sharing of information collected by Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) by law enforcement in the state, and place significant roadblocks in the way of a federal program using states to help track the…
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Feb. 8, 2018) – Earlier today, the Alabama Senate unanimously passed a bill that would exempt the sale of gold and silver bullion from state sales and use tax, encouraging its use and taking the first step toward breaking the Federal Reserve’s monopoly on money. Sen. Tim Melson (R-Florence) introduced Senate Bill 156 (SB156) on…
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Feb. 8, 2018) – A bill introduced in the Missouri House would ban “material support or resources” for warrantless federal surveillance programs. This represents an essential step states need to take at a time when the federal government seems unlikely to ever end unconstitutional spying on its own. Rep. Rick Brattin (R-Harrisonville) introduced House…
HONOLULU, Hawaii – (Feb. 8, 2018) – A Hawaii House and Senate committee have passed bills to withdraw state resources from the enforcement of most federal immigration laws. Passage of this legislation would likely have the effect of nullifying those federal acts in practice. A coalition of five Democratic Party representatives introduced House Bill 1994…
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Feb. 8, 2018) – A bill filed in the Wyoming House would define gold and silver specie as legal tender and eliminate all taxes levied on it. The new law would pave the way for the use of gold and silver in everyday transactions and could help undermine the Federal Reserve’s monopoly on money.…
LANSING, Mich. (Feb. 7, 2018) – Yesterday, a Michigan Senate committee held a hearing on a bill that would ban “material support or resources” for warrantless federal surveillance programs. This represents an essential step states need to take at a time when the federal government seems unlikely to ever end unconstitutional spying on its own. Rep.…
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Feb. 7, 2018) – Yesterday, a Florida Senate committee approved a measure that would ban warrantless location tracking and the use of stingray devices to sweep up electronic communications in most situations. The new law will not only protect privacy in Florida, but will also hinder one aspect of the federal surveillance state. Sen. Jeff Brandes (R-St.…
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Feb. 6, 2018) – Last week, a Missouri House committee overwhelmingly passed a bill to decriminalize industrial hemp, setting the foundation to nullify federal prohibition of the plant in practice. Rep. Paul Curtman (R-Washington) introduced House Bill 2034 (HB2034) on Jan. 10. The legislation would decriminalize industrial hemp in the state by…
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Feb. 6, 2018) – A bill introduced in the West Virginia House of Delegates this week would block unconstitutional foreign deployments of the state’s national guard troops, effectively restoring the Founders’ framework for state-federal balance on the Guard. House Bill 2377 (HB2377), the Defend the Guard Act, was introduced by Del. Pat McGeehan…
Massachusetts was the first state to ratify with a recommendation for future amendments. This paved the way for the same steps in states like New York and Virginia.