Iowa Bill Would Legalize Medical Marijuana; Set Stage to Nullify Federal Prohibition

DES MOINES, Iowa. (Feb. 10, 2017) – An Iowa bill would legalize medical marijuana for qualifying patients in the state, setting the foundation to effectively nullify the unconstitutional federal prohibition on the same. Introduced by Rep. Bob Kressig (D-Cedar Falls) and 30 bipartisan co-sponsors, House Bill 199 (HF199) would expand existing laws on the books…

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Maryland Bill Would Prohibit Warrantless Stingray Spying, Hinder Federal Surveillance Program

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Feb. 10, 2017) – A bill introduced in the Maryland House would ban the use of “stingrays” to track the location of phones and sweep up electronic communications without a court order. Passage of the bill would not only protect privacy in the Maryland, but would also hinder one aspect of the federal…

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New Hampshire Committee Passes Bill to End Support of Warrantless Federal Spying Programs

CONCORD, N.H. (Feb. 10, 2017) – Today, a New Hampshire House committee passed a bill that would end any state cooperation with warrantless federal spying. Passage of the legislation would not only help protect privacy in New Hampshire, it would help hinder unconstitutional federal surveillance. Rep. Neal Kurk and Rep. Carol McGuire, along with two cosponsors,…

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Second New Mexico Committee Passes Bill to Decriminalize Industrial Hemp

SANTA FE, N.M. (Feb. 9, 2017) –  A bill that would decriminalize hemp cleared its second House committee hurdle Tuesday. Passage into law would set the stage to nullify federal prohibition on the plant in practice. Rep. Rick Little (R-Chaparral) introduced House Bill 166 (HB166) on Jan 18. The legislation would simply remove industrial hemp from the…

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North Dakota Republicans Vote to Keep Common Core

BISMARCK, N.D. (Feb. 9, 2017) – The Republican-dominate North Dakota House killed a bill to ban Common Core implementation. Voting down the bill ensures that the Core will remain in North Dakota. Rep. Ben Koppelman (R-Fargo) and 11 co-sponsors introduced House Bill 1432 (HB1432) on Jan. 16. After receving a “do not pass” recommendation from the…

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New Hampshire Committee Approves Bill to Decriminalize Marijuana Possession

CONCORD, N.H. (Feb 8, 2017) – A bill approved by a New Hampshire House committee would decriminalize marijuana possession. Passage into law would take a big step toward nullifying federal cannabis prohibition in practice in the state. Along with 11 bipartisan co-sponsors, Rep. Robert Cushing (D-Hampton) introduced House Bill 640 (HB640) to reduce “the penalty for possessing…

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Texas Senate Passes Bill to Prohibit “Sanctuary City” Policies

AUSTIN, Texas (Feb. 8, 2017) – A bill that would effectively prohibit so-called “sanctuary cities” that refuse to cooperate with enforcement of some federal immigration laws passed the Texas Senate today. Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) filed Senate Bill 4 (SB4) along with 19 cosponsors. The legislation would broadly prohibit local government entities from discouraging the…

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