California Assembly Passes Bill to Curb “Policing for Profit” via Asset Forfeiture; Close Federal Loophole

SACRAMENTO, Ca. (Aug. 15, 2016) – Today, the California Assembly voted 66-8 to pass a bill that not only bolsters restrictions on state officials from seizing property without due process, but throws a wrench into federal efforts to do the same. Sen. Holly Mitchell (D-Los Angeles) introduced Senate Bill 443 (SB443) last year. The legislation sets additional…

Continue ReadingCalifornia Assembly Passes Bill to Curb “Policing for Profit” via Asset Forfeiture; Close Federal Loophole

Louisiana House Unanimously Passes Bill to Limit Stingray Use; Hinder Federal Surveillance Program

BATON ROUGE, La. (April 26, 2016) – Today, the Louisiana House unanimously passed a bill that would require a court order for the use of “stingrays” to track the location of phones and sweep up electronic communications. Passage of the bill would not only protect privacy in the state, but would also hinder one aspect…

Continue ReadingLouisiana House Unanimously Passes Bill to Limit Stingray Use; Hinder Federal Surveillance Program

To the Governor: Tennessee Passes Bill Setting Stage to Reject Gun Control by International Law or Treaty

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Apr. 7, 2016) – Today, the state Senate gave final approval to a bill setting the foundation to stop enforcement of gun control imposed by international law or treaty. The vote was 26-0. House Bill 2389 (HB2389) was introduced by Rep. John Windle (D-Livingston) in January.  It would prohibit law enforcement officers from enforcing provisions of international…

Continue ReadingTo the Governor: Tennessee Passes Bill Setting Stage to Reject Gun Control by International Law or Treaty

Arizona Senate Committee Passes Bill Setting Stage to Reject Federal Acts

PHOENIX, Ariz. (March 24, 2016) – A bill that would set the stage for the state to refuse cooperation with federal acts passed its final Senate committee today, and will now move to the full Senate for further consideration. Introduced by Rep. Bob Thorpe and a coalition of 12 sponsors and cosponsors, House Bill 2201 (HB2201) would prohibit…

Continue ReadingArizona Senate Committee Passes Bill Setting Stage to Reject Federal Acts

New Hampshire House Passes Bill Taking on Drone Spying; Would Also Hinder Some Federal Surveillance

CONCORD, N.H. (March 24, 2016) – Yesterday, the New Hampshire House  passed a bill that would restrict the warrantless or weaponized use of drones by state and local law enforcement.  The legislation would not only establish important privacy protections at the state level, they would also help thwart the federal surveillance state. Rep. Neil Kurk,…

Continue ReadingNew Hampshire House Passes Bill Taking on Drone Spying; Would Also Hinder Some Federal Surveillance

Tennessee House Committee Passes Bill Setting Stage to Reject Gun Control by International Law or Treaty

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 22, 2016) – Today, a House committee passed a bill taking a first step toward withdrawing state resources and personnel from enforcing gun control based on international law or treaties. Passage into law would set the foundation to block such gun control in effect. House Bill 2389 (HB2389) was introduced by Rep. John…

Continue ReadingTennessee House Committee Passes Bill Setting Stage to Reject Gun Control by International Law or Treaty

Mississippi Senate Committee Passes Bill Setting Foundation to Reject Some Federal Gun Control

JACKSON, Miss. (Mar. 22, 2016) – A Mississippi bill that would set the foundation to reject and end new federal gun control regulations and executive orders passed an important Senate committee last week. The bill already passed the full House and will now move to the full Senate for further consideration. Rep. Mark Formby (R-Picayune),…

Continue ReadingMississippi Senate Committee Passes Bill Setting Foundation to Reject Some Federal Gun Control

Back from the Dead: After Grassroots Pressure, Tennessee Committee Re-votes and Passes Bill to Block International Gun Control

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 17, 2016) – After voting to kill a bill last month that would have taken a first step toward withdrawing state resources and personnel from enforcing gun control based on international law or treaties, a House subcommittee reconsidered the bill and passed it by a 3-2 vote yesterday. Rep. John Windle and Rep.…

Continue ReadingBack from the Dead: After Grassroots Pressure, Tennessee Committee Re-votes and Passes Bill to Block International Gun Control

Tennessee House Subcommittee Unanimously Kills Bill to Restrict Asset Forfeiture, Close Federal Loophole

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Mar 16, 2016) – Today, a House Subcommittee voted unanimously to kill a bill  reform asset forfeiture laws to prohibit the state from taking property without a criminal conviction. The legislation would have also taken on federal forfeiture programs by banning prosecutors from circumventing state laws by passing cases off to the feds in…

Continue ReadingTennessee House Subcommittee Unanimously Kills Bill to Restrict Asset Forfeiture, Close Federal Loophole

Arizona House Committee Passes Bill Setting Stage to Reject and Block Federal Indefinite Detention and Targeted Assassination Program

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Mar. 16, 2016) – Today, an Arizona House committee passed a bill that would take a big step toward rejecting indefinite detention under the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2012, and other federal laws which claim to authorize using the laws of war domestically. Introduced by State Sen. Judy Burges, Senate Bill 1437 (SB1437) declares any attempts to use…

Continue ReadingArizona House Committee Passes Bill Setting Stage to Reject and Block Federal Indefinite Detention and Targeted Assassination Program