Kentucky Bill a First Step to Nullify Some EPA Regulations in Practice

FRANKFORT Ky. (Dec. 10, 2015) – A bill prefiled in the Kentucky House would take a first step and set the stage to nullify some federal EPA regulations in practice. Rep. Jim Gooch (D-Providence) prefiled HB104 on Dec. 9. The legislation would bar the state Energy and Environmental Cabinet from promulgating any administrative regulations or…

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Federal Judge Rejects Texas Lawsuit Over Refugees. Can the State do Something Else?

Texas has been trying to stop federal plans to bring in Syrian refugees into the state by suing the feds in the federal court system. According to Watchdog.org, Syrian refugees in the United States will about “double the cost of federal resettlement programs over the next two years.” The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Dallas, names…

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Florida Bills Would Curb “Policing for Profit” via Asset Forfeiture, But Federal Loophole Remains

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Dec. 10, 2015) – Bills filed in the Florida legislature 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. Jeffrey…

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South Carolina Bill Seeks to Nullify SCOTUS Opinion on Marriage

COLUMBIA, S.C. (Dec. 9, 2015) –  A bill prefiled in the South Carolina House seeks to nullify the recent Supreme Court opinion recognizing gay marriage. Rep. Bill Chumley (R-Spartanburg) and Rep. Mike Burns (R-Greenville) prefiled House Bill 4513 (H4513) on Dec. 3. The legislation declares “It is the policy of the State of South Carolina to defend…

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Missouri Bill Would Set the Stage to Get the Feds Out of Education

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Dec. 8, 2015) – A bill prefiled for the 2016 legislative session would require the Missouri legislature to review and approve the use of federal funds in education, setting the stage to limit federal influence on the state’s public schools. Rep. Tila Hubrecht (R-Dexter) prefiled House Bill 1367 (HB1367) on Dec. 1.…

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Missouri Bill Would Set Foundation to Block Federal Regulations in Practice

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Dec. 8, 2015) – A bill prefiled for the 2016 legislative session would require the Missouri legislature to review certain federal regulations before they become effective within the state. The bill would set the stage to nullify in practice some federal regulations, but it remains unclear how exactly the law would be…

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South Carolina Bill Would Reject FDA Restrictions on Terminal Patients

COLUMBIA, S.C. (Dec. 8, 2015)  – A new South Carolina bill 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. Pre-filed on Dec. 2 by Rep. Paul G. Campbell (R-Berkeley), Senate Bill 929 (S.929) would give terminally ill patients…

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Missouri Has Three Chances to Nullify Marijuana Prohibition, Thwart Federal Drug War in 2016

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Dec. 8, 2015) – Two bills pre-filed in Missouri last week would legalize recreational marijuana, and another would legalize marijuana for medical use. This gives the Show Me State several opportunity to effectively nullify federal marijuana prohibition in practice during next year’s legislative session. HJR57 was introduced by Rep. Brandon Ellington (D-Kansas City) and,…

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South Carolina Bill Would Ban ALPRs; Help Block National License Plate Tracking Program

COLUMBIA S.C. (Dec. 7, 2015) – A bill introduced in the South Carolina House would completely ban the use of automatic license plate readers by law enforcement in the state. It would also throw significant roadblocks in the way of a federal program using states to help track the location of millions of everyday people…

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South Carolina Bill Would Ban “Stingrays” in the State; Hinder Federal Surveillance Program

COLUMBIA S.C. (Dec. 7, 2015) – A bill introduced in the South Carolina House would completely ban the use “stingrays” to track the location of phones and sweep up electronic communications. Passage of the bill would not only protect privacy in the Palmetto State, but would also hinder one aspect of the federal surveillance state.…

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