MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Jan. 26, 2018) – Yesterday, an Alabama House committee passed a bill that would abolish marriage licenses in the state and effectively nullify in practice both sides of the contentious national debate over government-sanctioned marriage. Sen. Greg Albritton (R-Bay Minette) prefiled Senate Bill 13 (SB13) in September. The legislation would abolish all requirements…
LINCOLN, Neb. (Jan. 26, 2018) – A bill filed in the Nebraska Senate would help facilitate healthcare freedom outside of government insurance regulatory schemes. Sen. Merv Riepe (R-D12) introduced Legislature Bill 1119 (LB1119) on January 18. The legislation specifies that direct primary care agreements (sometimes called medical retainer agreements) do not constitute insurance, thereby freeing doctors and patients…
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Jan. 26, 2018) – A bill introduced in the Maryland House would significantly limit the impact of federal programs that militarize local police. Del. David Moon (D-Montgomery Co.), along with six Democrat cosponsors, introduced House Bill 240 (HB240). The legislation would prohibit police from procuring any of the following equipment from a federal military surplus program.…
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Jan. 26, 2017) – A bill introduced in the Tennessee Senate would legalize medical marijuana for qualifying patients in the state, setting the foundation to nullify unconstitutional federal cannabis prohibition in practice. Introduced by Sen. Steven Dickerson (R-Nashville), Senate Bill 1710 (SB1710) would allow individuals to possess medical marijuana if they suffer from…
HONOLULU, Hawaii (Jan. 26, 2018) – A bill introduced in the Hawaii Senate would ban the use of “stingrays” to track the location of phones and sweep up electronic communications without a warrant in most situations. The proposed law would not only protect privacy in Hawaii, but would also hinder one aspect of the federal surveillance…
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Jan. 26, 2018) – A bill introduced in the Rhode Island House would prohibit roadway surveillance, including the use of automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) without a warrant in most situations. Passage into law would also place significant roadblocks in the way of a federal program using states to help track the location of millions…
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Jan. 24, 2018) – An Alabama House committee has 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. Rep. Ronald Johnson (R-Sylacauga) introduced House Bill 19 (HB19) earlier this…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill (Jan. 23, 2017) – A bill introduced in the Illinois House would significantly limit the impact of federal programs that militarize local police. Rep. Will Guzzardi (D-Chicago) introduced House Bill 4286 (HB4286) on Jan. 19. The legislation would prohibit police from procuring any of the following equipment from a federal military surplus program. (1)…
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Jan. 23, 2018) – A West Virginia bill would legalize the recreational use of marijuana. Passage of the bill would take another step toward nullifying federal cannabis prohibition in effect in the state. House Bill 3035 (HB3035) was introduced by Del. Sean Hornbuckle (D-Cabell) on Jan. 10. The legislation would allow adults 21…
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Jan. 23, 2018) – A bill introduced in the Tennessee Senate would allow customers to opt out of installing “smart meter” technology on their homes and businesses without penalty. Passage of this bill would enable Tennesseans to protect their own privacy, and it would take a step toward blocking a federal program in effect.…