PHOENIX, Ariz. (Jan. 23, 2018) – An Arizona bill that would take another step toward establishing gold and silver as money passed its first committee hurdle last week. Passage into law would help undermine the Federal Reserve’s monopoly on money. Rep. Mark Finchem (R-Tucson) introduced House Bill 2013 (HB2013) on Jan. 9. The legislation would…
MONTPELIER, Vt. (Jan. 22, 2018) – Today, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott signed a bill that allows the recreational use of marijuana. Just weeks after Attorney General Jeff Sessions threatened to ramp up federal marijuana prohibition enforcement, passage represents a stinging rebuke from the state of Vermont. House Bill 511 (H.511) allows adults 21 or older to possess up…
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (Jan. 22, 2018) – A so-called “Constitutional Carry” bill introduced in the Indiana legislature would make it legal for most Indianans to carry a firearm without a license, and foster an environment hostile to federal gun control. Rep. Timothy Wesco (R-21) introduced House Bill 1424 (HB1424) January 16. The legislation would allow persons 21…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Jan. 22, 2018) – A bill introduced in the Illinois Senate would set the stage to legalize recreational marijuana during the 2018 mid-term elections in November. Sen. William Cunningham (D-Chicago) introduced Senate Bill 2275 (SB2275) on Jan. 10. The legislation would authorize a ballot referendum for the 2018 elections to give the voters…
CHARLESTON, W. Va. (Jan. 18, 2018) – A bill introduced in the West Virginia House would legalize sports betting in the state. Passage of this bill would set the stage to nullify federal prohibition in effect. A bipartisan coalition of 11 delegates introduced House Bill 2751 (HB2751) on Jan. 10. The legislation would allow sports betting…
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 18, 2018) – Yesterday, the Kentucky House unanimously passed a bill that would require police to get a warrant before engaging in drone surveillance in most situations. Final passage of this legislation would not only establish important privacy protections at the state level, it would also help thwart the federal surveillance state.…
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Jan. 18, 2018) – On Tuesday, the Alabama Senate overwhelmingly 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…
JACKSON, Miss. (Jan. 18, 2018) – Two bills introduced in the Mississippi House would chip away at federal marijuana prohibition. One bill would legalize medical marijuana while the other would legalize recreational marijuana. Passage into law would take a step toward nullifying federal cannabis prohibition in effect in the state. Rep. Joel Bomgar (R-Madison) introduced…
“If the federal government continues its mass warrantless surveillance programs, it should get no help carrying them out from the State of Michigan,” Howrylak said. “My bill will certify that the State of Michigan will not assist the federal government in any data collection unless it is 100 percent consistent with the U.S. Constitution.”
ALBANY, N.Y. (Jan. 17, 2018) – A bill introduced in the New York Senate would put strict limitations on the use of automated license plate reader systems (ALPRs) by the state. Passage into law would also place significant roadblocks in the way of a federal program using states to help track the location of millions of…