COLUMBUS, Ohio (Jan. 5, 2016) – On Wednesday, Ohio Gov. John Kasich signed a bill that reforms asset forfeiture laws to prohibit the state from taking property without criminal charges in many cases. The new law also takes on federal forfeiture programs by banning prosecutors from circumventing state laws by passing cases off to the…
LINCOLN, Neb. (April 20, 2016) – With the stroke of a pen, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts ended civil asset forfeiture by the state, signing a bill that reforms 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…
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Apr. 20, 2016) – Yesterday, Gov. Bill Haslam signed a bill into law setting the foundation to stop enforcement of gun control imposed by international law or treaty. House Bill 2389 (HB2389) was introduced by Rep. John Windle (D-Livingston) in January. It prohibits law enforcement officers from enforcing provisions of international law and treaties…
HARRISBURG, Pa. (April 17, 2016) – Today, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf signed a bill legalizing medical marijuana, making it the 24th state to reject the unconstitutional federal prohibition on cannabis in practice. The bill took a long, tough road to final passage. Sen. Michael Folmer (R-Lebanon) introduced Senate Bill 3 (SB3) in Jan. 2015. The new law legalizes marijuana for medical…
SALEM, Ore. (March 30, 2016) – Oregon Governor Kate Brown has signed a bill into law that relaxes state hemp licensing requirements, making the crop more like other agricultural products. The measure opens up the hemp market to small and individual farmers, paving the way for faster development of Oregon’s hemp market, and further nullifying federal…
BOISE, Idaho (March 25, 2016) – An Idaho bill that would set the foundation to nullify in practice some Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules that deny access to experimental treatments by terminally ill patients was signed by Gov. Otter on Wednesday The House of Delegates Health and Welfare Committee introduced House Bill 481 (H481) on…
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (March 25, 2016) – A bill expanding the state’s “Right to Try” law by legalizing the limited use of medical marijuana by terminal patients was signed into law by Gov. Rick Scott today. Rep. Matt Goetz (R-Fort Walton Beach) sponsored House Bill 307 (HB307). Sen. Rob Bradley (R-Fleming) sponsored a companion bill in the…
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (March 25, 2016) – On Wednesday, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin signed a bill into law that takes a small, but important, first step in setting the foundation to reject federal EPA “Clean Power Plan” rules. Sen. Gregory Boso (R-Summersville) introduced Senate Bill 691 (SB691) on Feb. 22. The legislation would prohibit the Department of Environmental Protection from…
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Oct. 8, 2015) – Today, California Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law not just one, but two bills that represent some of the strongest privacy protections in the country. The new laws work together to protect privacy from some of the worst spying programs on the state level, but also take on a…
SPRINGFIELD, Il. (Aug. 11, 2015) Last week, Gov. Rauner signed a bill into law to nullify in practice some Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules that prevent terminally ill patients from accessing experimental treatments. Introduced by Rep. Greg Harris (R-13) and 21 bipartisan co-sponsors, House Bill 1335 (HB1335) gives terminally ill patients access to medicines that…