ST. PAUL, Minn. (July 31, 2015) – Tomorrow, a Minnesota law goes into effect that places strict limits on the use of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) by law enforcement in the state. It also places significant roadblocks in the way of a federal program using states to help track the location of millions of everyday…
BISMARCK, N.D. (July 30, 2015) – A North Dakota law drastically restricting the use of drones by state and local law enforcement goes into effect Saturday, thwarting a crucial aspect of the federal surveillance state. House Bill 1328 (HB1328) requires law enforcement agencies to obtain a warrant before deploying a drone for surveillance purposes with…
(July 29, 2015) – Patients facing life-threatening illnesses will have more treatment options open to them in Alabama, North Dakota and Minnesota on Saturday thanks to new laws that tear down federal roadblocks going into effect this week. These new “Right to Try” laws effectively nullify in practice some Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules that stop…
CONCORD, N.H. (July 24, 2015) – A bill prohibiting law enforcement from obtaining location data from electronic devices without a warrant in most cases became law in New Hampshire this week. The new law not only protects privacy in New Hampshire, but also takes an important first step in addressing the growing federal surveillance state.…
HONOLULU, Hawaii (July 23, 2015) – Medical marijuana dispensaries will open in Hawaii in 2016, representing another step toward nullifying the federal ban on cannabis in practice in the Aloha State. On July 14, Gov. David I. Ige signed HB321 into law. The bill sets up the framework for operating retail medical marijuana dispensaries in…
A bill recently signed into law in Texas that will set up a state gold depository represents a power shift away from the federal government to the state, and it provides a blueprint that could ultimately end the Fed. Gov. Greg Abbot signed the law creating the state gold bullion and precious metal depository last…
AUGUSTA, Maine (July 21, 2015) – A Maine bill that drastically restricts the use of drones by state and local law enforcement, and serves to thwart one aspect of the federal surveillance state, became law earlier this month. Introduced by Rep. Diane Russell (D-Portland) and co-sponsored by Sen. Eric Brakey (R-Androscoggin), Legislative Document 25 (LD25)…
A recent article at the Daily Chronic indicates some confusion still exists. about the legal and practical effects of a Connecticut hemp bill that went into effect July 1. HB5780 removed any mention of industrial hemp from the Connecticut criminal code that classifies marijuana as a banned controlled substance. From the official summary of the legislation:…
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (July 20, 2015) – A California bill that would create a mechanism to stop transfers of military equipment to state or local law enforcement agencies cleared its final committee hurdle last and will now move on to the Senate floor when it returns from a summer recess in August. Introduced by Asm. Nora Campos…
DOVER, Del. (July 20, 2015) – Last week, a Delaware “Common Core opt-out bill” was vetoed by Gov. Jack Markell. Since the bill passed by veto-proof majorities in both houses, insiders suggest that an override is possible when the legislature reconvenes in January. Introduced by Rep. John Kowalko (D-Newark) in March along with eight bipartisan cosponsors,…