PHOENIX, Ariz. (June 8, 2016) – Intense opposition by law enforcement lobbyists killed an Arizona bill that would have prohibited the state from using personnel or resources to enforce any new federal gun control measures, setting the foundation to nullify them in practice within the state. Rep. Anthony Kern (R-Glendale), Rep. Darin Mitchell (R-Dist. 13) and Rep.…
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (June 6, 2016) – Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has signed a bill into law that significantly reforms asset forfeiture laws. But an amendment approved during the process creates a loophole that could allow law enforcement to work with the feds to skirt the more stringent state law. Joseph F. Vallario, Jr. (D-Prince George’s County) sponsored House…
LANSING, Mich. (Jun. 6, 2016) – A bill introduced recently in the Michigan House would end warrantless collection of cell phone data and ban the use “stingrays” to track the location of phones and sweep up electronic communications without a warrant in most situations. Passage of the bill would not only protect privacy in Michigan,…
COLUMBIA, S.C. (June 5, 2016) – On Friday, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley signed into law a bill that sets the foundation to nullify in practice some Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules that deny access to experimental treatments by terminally-ill patients. A bipartisan coalition of seven Representatives sponsored House Bill 4542 (H.4542). The new law gives…
JACKSON, Miss. (June 3, 2016) – The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality has put a pause on implementing the EPA “Clean Power Plan.” The move sets a precedent that state could ultimately use to permanently nullify the federal program in effect. According to DEQ spokesman Robbie Wilbur, the agency will hold off implementing the plan…
LANSING, Mich. (Jun. 2, 2016) – The Michigan House overwhelmingly approved a resolution Thursday that would give voters an opportunity to put “electronic data and communications” on the same level as “persons, houses, papers and possessions” in the state constitution. If ultimately passed, it would also set the foundation to help block a small but intrusive practical effect…
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (June 1, 2016) – Yesterday, the California Assembly overwhelmingly passed a 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. A massive bipartisan coalition of 29 Assembly members introduced Assembly Bill 1668 (AB1668) on Jan.…
ALBANY, N.Y. (June 1, 2016) – A bill introduced in the New York Assembly to put strict limitations on the use of automated license plate reader systems (ALPRs) by the state was drastically altered in committee. The new version of the bill only applies restrictions to private individuals. Introduced by Asm. Jeffrey Dinowitz on Feb. 13,…
BOSTON, Mass. (May 31, 2016) – Last week, a Massachusetts joint committee passed an agriculture bill that would expand raw milk sales in the state. Passage of the bill into law would facilitate the process of nullifying the federal prohibition scheme in practice. The Senate Ways and Means Committee created Senate Bill 2286 (S.2286) to…
COLUMBUS, Ohio (May 30, 2016) – Last week, the Ohio House passed a bill that would reform asset forfeiture laws to prohibit the state from taking property without a criminal conviction in the majority of cases. The legislation also takes on federal forfeiture programs by banning prosecutors from circumventing state laws by passing cases off…