Michigan Committee Passes Bill to Reform Civil Asset Forfeiture; Federal Loophole Remains

LANSING, Mich. (May 3, 2018) – On Tuesday, a Michigan House committee passed a bill that would reform asset forfeiture laws to prohibit the state from taking property without a criminal conviction in most cases, but leaves a loophole in place allowing police to circumvent stricter state laws by passing cases off to the feds. Rep.…

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TAC Joins Coalition in Support of New Jersey Bills to Take on Asset Forfeiture

TRENTON, N.J. (May 1, 2018) – The Tenth Amendment Center has joined a coalition of seven organizations supporting passage of New Jersey bills that would impose strict reporting requirements for all asset forfeitures in the state. This legislation would take a first step that could lead to substantive reforms.  Senate Bill 1963 (S1963) and its companion,…

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Colorado Committee Passes Bill to Expand Current Asset Forfeiture Reforms

DENVER, Colo. (May 1, 2018) – On Monday, a Colorado Senate committee passed a bill that would expand asset forfeiture reporting requirements instituted last year.  Rep. Leslie Herod (D-Denver) introduced House Bill 1020 (HB1020) on Jan. 10. The legislation would expand asset forfeiture reporting requirements be redefining the agencies required to submit reports. Last year, Gov.…

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Tennessee Legislature Rejects Strict Restrictions on Asset Forfeiture, Keeps Federal Loophole Wide Open

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (April 25, 2018) – Last Thursday, Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam signed a bill into law that modestly reforms the state’s asset forfeiture laws, but leaves a loophole in place allowing police to circumvent stricter state laws by passing cases off to the feds. Rep. Mike Carter (R-Ooltewah) introduced House Bill 2021 (HB2021) in January.…

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Tenther Tuesday Episode 33: Taking on Big Brother Locally

In this episode, Mike Maharrey shares his recent experience in court and how local cops in his hometown are using these same talking points to hide surveillance programs. He and Michael Boldin also talk about some success at the state and local level to rein in Big Brother.

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Rhode Island Bill Takes on Asset Forfeiture, Would Effectively Shut Federal Loophole

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (April 24, 2018) – A bill introduced in the Rhode Island Senate would reform the state’s asset forfeiture laws to prohibit the state from taking property without a criminal conviction. The legislation also takes on federal forfeiture programs by banning prosecutors from circumventing state laws by passing cases off to the feds in most…

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Michigan Bills Would Reform Civil Asset Forfeiture; Federal Loophole Remains

LANSING, Mich. (Apr. 18, 2018) – A bill introduced in the Michigan House would reform asset forfeiture laws to prohibit the state from taking property without a criminal conviction in most cases.  Rep. Pete Lucido (R-Shelby Township) introduced House Bill 5779 (HB5779) on Apr. 11. The legislation would reform Michigan law by requiring a criminal…

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Interview: Constitutional Decentralization as a Path to Liberty

Centralization of power in Washington D.C. is the biggest threat to our liberty. On the other hand constitutional decentralization is way out. I appeared as a guest on the Gold Standard with Alan Mosley. We talked generally about the principles of nullification and more specifically how we put the idea into practical effect at the…

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Signed by the Governor: Virginia Law Requires Strict Asset Forfeiture Reporting; First Step Toward Reform

RICHMOND, Va. (April 11, 2018) – Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has signed a bill into law implementing reporting requirements for all asset forfeitures in the state, including cases passed off to the federal government. The bill takes the first step that could lead to substantive reforms.  Sen. Mark Peake (R) and Sen. Adam Ebbin (D)…

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