RICHMOND, Va. (Dec. 31, 2015) – A bill introduced in the Virginia legislature would decriminalize marijuana for adults, changing criminal penalties into civil infractions. The proposal would not only decriminalize marijuana in the Old Dominion, it would also take a big step toward nullifying federal cannabis prohibition in practice in Virginia. Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria)…
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Dec. 30, 2015) – A bill prefiled in the Missouri House for the 2016 legislative session would prohibit the state from denying medical licenses based on failure to participate in a health insurance plan or system, preemptively protecting health care professionals in the state from federal regulation related to Obamacare or Medicaid.…
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Dec. 30, 2015) – Two bills prefiled for the 2016 session in the Maryland legislature would nullify in practice some Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules that deny access to experimental treatments by terminally ill patients. Sen. Bryan Simonaire (R – Dist. 31) prefiled Senate Bill 63 (SB63) over the summer. Del. Karen…
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Dec. 29, 2015) – Passage of bills introduced in the South Carolina and Tennessee legislatures for the 2016 legislative session would likely lead to law enforcement agencies operating weaponized drones in those states. Tennessee House Bill 1456 (HB1456) sponsored by Rep. David Byrd (R-Waynesboro) and South Carolina House Bill 4425 (H.4425) sponsored by…
AUGUSTA, Maine (Dec. 29, 2015) – A bill prefiled in the Maine House for the 2016 legislative session would withdraw the state from Common Core standards, an important step toward nullifying nationalized education in the state. Rep. Will Tuell (R- East Machias) along with a bipartisan group of nine cosponsors prefiled LD1492 on Dec. 23.…
MONTPELIER, Vt. (Dec. 29, 2015) – A bill introduced in the Vermont legislature would legalize marijuana for recreational use, taxing and regulating the crop similar to alcohol. The proposal would not only legalize marijuana in the Green Mountain State, it would also take a big step toward nullifying federal cannabis prohibition in practice in Vermont.…
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (Dec. 29, 2015) – A bill prefiled in the Indiana Senate for the 2016 legislative session would reform the state’s asset forfeiture laws, making it more difficult for police to seize property. But a loophole in the legislation would allow law enforcement to work with the feds to skirt the more stringent state law. Sen.…
RICHMOND, Va. (Dec. 28, 2015) – A bill prefiled in the Virginia legislature for the 2016 session would put limitations on the storage and sharing of information collected by Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) by law enforcement in the state, and place significant roadblocks in the way of a federal program using states to help…
RICHMOND, Va. (Dec. 28, 2015) – A bill prefiled in the Virginia legislature for the 2016 session would put limitations on the storage and sharing of information collected by Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) by law enforcement in the state, and place significant roadblocks in the way of a federal program using states to help…
MONTIPELER, Vt. (Dec. 22, 2015) – A bill introduced in the Vermont Senate would nullify in practice some Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules that deny access to experimental treatments by terminally ill patients. Sen. Dick McCormack (D-Windsor) prefiled Senate Bill 258 (S.258) for the 2016 session. The legislation would give terminally ill patients access…