Permission not Required: “Constitutional Carry” Bill Passes New Hampshire House Committee

CONCORD, N.H. (Feb 2, 2017) –  Yesterday, a New Hampshire “Constitutional Carry” bill took another step forward, clearing an important House committee with an “ought to pass” recommendation. If passed into law, it would make it legal for people in New Hampshire to carry a concealed firearm without a license, and foster an environment hostile…

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Montana Committee Passes Two Bills Taking on Warrantless Electronic Data Collection

HELENA, Mont. (Feb. 2, 2017) – Two bills that would together ban warrantless collection of cell phone data in most situations unanimously passed an important Montana House committee yesterday. Final passage of the legislation would not only increase privacy protections in the state, it would also hinder one practical aspect of federal surveillance programs. Rep.…

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New Mexico Committee Passes Bill to Decriminalize Industrial Hemp

SANTA FE, N.M. (Feb. 2, 2017) –  A bill working its way through the New Mexico House that would remove the state ban on industrial hemp has already cleared its first committee hurdle. Passage into law would set the stage to nullify federal prohibition on the plant in practice. Rep. Rick Little (R-Chaparral) introduced House Bill…

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Montana Bill Would Legalize Some Raw Milk Sales, An Important Step to Nullify Federal Prohibition Scheme

HELENA, Mont. (Feb. 2, 2017) – A bill introduced in the Montana House would legalize limited raw milk sales in the state, taking an important step toward nullifying a federal prohibition scheme in effect. Rep. Nancy Ballance (R-Hamilton) introduced House Bill 325 (HB325) on Jan. 26. The legislation would authorize limited sales of raw milk…

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Wyoming Bill Would Put the Question of Marijuana Legalization to the Voters, Set Stage to Nullify Federal Prohibition

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Feb 1, 2017) – A Wyoming bill would allow voters to legalize recreational marijuana in the state through a constitutional amendment ballot measure. Passage would set the stage to effectively nullify in practice the unconstitutional federal prohibition on the same. Introduced by Rep. James Byrd (D-Cheyenne) and Rep. Mark Baker (R-Rock Springs), House…

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Arizona Committee Passes Bill to Support Sound Money

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Feb 1, 2017) – An Arizona bill that would eliminate state capital gains taxes on gold and silver specie, and encourage its use as currency, passed an important House committee today. Final approval of the legislation would help undermine the Federal Reserve’s monopoly on money. Rep. Mark Finchem (R-Tucson) introduced House Bill 2014…

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New Mexico Cities Working Around Asset Forfeiture Law; New Bill Would Close the Loophole

SANTA FE, N.M. (Feb. 1, 2017) – A bill filed in the New Mexico Senate would close a loophole some city officials claim allows them to continue with civil asset forfeiture despite a 2015 law meant to end the practice in the state. Daniel A. Ivey-Soto (D-Albuquerque) filed Senate Bill 202 (SB202) on Jan. 26.…

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Utah Bill Would Set Stage For State Gold and Silver Depository, Further Encourage Use of Metals as Money

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (Feb. 1, 2017) – A bill introduced in the Utah legislature would build on the state’s Legal Tender Act, creating a foundation for further action to encourage the use of gold and silver as money, and take another step toward breaking the Federal Reserve’s monopoly on money. Rep. Ken Ivory (R-West Jordan) introduced…

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California Committee Passes Bill to End Support for Most Federal Immigration Enforcement

SACRAMENTO (Feb. 1, 2017) – Yesterday, an important California Senate Committee passed a bill to withdraw state resources from the enforcement of most federal immigration laws.  Passage into law will likely have the effect of further nullifying those federal acts in practice. Introduced by Sen. President Kevin de Leon and four co-sponsors, Senate Bill 54 (SB54)…

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