New Hampshire Action Alert: Help Nullify Some FDA Regulations, Support HB1138

New Hampshire HB1138 would legalize experimental treatments not yet approved by FDA regulators for terminally-ill patients. It must first pass through the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee. PLEASE TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS to support this important bill. 1. Call the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee Chair, Frank Kotowski. Strongly, but…

Continue Reading New Hampshire Action Alert: Help Nullify Some FDA Regulations, Support HB1138

New Hampshire Bill Would Ban NSA Activity Called the “Biggest Threat Since the Civil War”

CONCORD, N.H. (Dec. 22, 2015) – A bill introduced in the New Hampshire House for the 2016 session would prohibit a federal-local surveillance collaboration that the NSA’s former chief technical director called the “biggest threat since the civil war.” Rep. Neal Kurk prefiled House Bill 1494 (HB1494). The legislation would prohibit government agencies from acquiring, collecting, retaining…

Continue Reading New Hampshire Bill Would Ban NSA Activity Called the “Biggest Threat Since the Civil War”

Tennessee Law Effectively Nullifies Federal Protection of Destructive Vultures

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (Dec. 21, 2015) – A new law now on the books in Tennessee effectively nullifies a federal ban on killing black vultures. Sen. Frank Niceley (R-Strawberry Plains) and Rep. Kelly Keisling (R-Byrdstown) sponsored legislation that repealed a state law prohibiting the killing of these federally protected birds. Black vultures remain protected under federal…

Continue Reading Tennessee Law Effectively Nullifies Federal Protection of Destructive Vultures

Local Cops Getting Spy Gear from Feds; States Can Stop It

Federal militarization of state and local police has gone beyond armored vehicles and combat grade weapons, and now encompasses the latest surveillance technology. Not only are state and local cops secretly obtaining high-tech spy gear, non-disclosure agreements signed by law enforcement agencies essentially give the FBI complete control over how your local cops gather evidence.…

Continue Reading Local Cops Getting Spy Gear from Feds; States Can Stop It

Florida Resolution would Set the Stage to Push Feds Out of State Education

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Dec. 21, 2015) – A proposed resolution introduced in the Florida legislature for the 2016 legislative session rejects federal involvement in the state’s educational system and would create a foundation for the general assembly to take further action in the future. Rep. Debbie Mayfield (R-Vero Beach) prefiled House Memorial 983 (HM983) on Dec.…

Continue Reading Florida Resolution would Set the Stage to Push Feds Out of State Education

South Carolina Action Alert: Ban Spying by Stingray, Support H4522

South Carolina H4522 would completely ban the use “stingrays” to track the location of phones and sweep up electronic communications. Passage of the bill would not only protect privacy in the Palmetto State, but would also hinder one aspect of the federal surveillance state. It must pass through the House Judiciary Committee before the bill…

Continue Reading South Carolina Action Alert: Ban Spying by Stingray, Support H4522

Two Arizona Bills Would Effectively Nullify Federal Prohibition on Marijuana

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Dec. 20, 2015) – Two bills prefiled in the Arizona legislature would effectively nullify federal marijuana prohibition in practice, one by fully legalizing marijuana for recreational usage and the other by decriminalizing the plant. House Bill 2006 (HB2006) and House Bill 2007 (HB2007) were prefiled by Rep. Mark Cardenas (D-Phoenix) this month for…

Continue Reading Two Arizona Bills Would Effectively Nullify Federal Prohibition on Marijuana

Utah Bill Would Curb “Policing for Profit” Via Asset Forfeiture, But Federal Loophole Remains

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (Dec. 18, 2015) – A bill filed in the Utah House for the 2016 legislative session would reform the state’s asset forfeiture laws, making it more difficult for police to seize property. But a loophole in the legislation would allow law enforcement to work with the feds to skirt the more stringent state…

Continue Reading Utah Bill Would Curb “Policing for Profit” Via Asset Forfeiture, But Federal Loophole Remains