SACRAMENTO, Calif. (July 17, 2015) – Two California bills that would work together to help end the warrantless use of “stingrays” passed unanimously out of important Assembly committees this week. Passage into law would not only help protect privacy in California, but would also hinder part of the federal surveillance state. Sen. Mark Leno (D)…
SACRAMENTO, Ca. (July 15, 2015) – Yesterday, a California Assembly Committee unanimously passed a bill that not only bolsters restrictions on state officials from seizing property without due process, but throws a wrench into federal efforts to do the same. Previously passed by the Senate, it moves one step closer to the Governor’s desk. Introduced by…
CONCORD, N.H. (July 11, 2015) – On Monday, New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan signed a bill into law that expands the state’s current medical marijuana program, further nullifying in practice the federal prohibition on the same. Introduced by Rep. Stephen Schmidt (R-Wolfeboro) and five bipartisan co-sponsors, House Bill 476 (HB476) adds “epilepsy, lupus, Parkinson’s disease,…
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (July 10, 2015) – Last week, Gov. Nixon signed a bill into law that will help promote freedom when it comes to medical services. Passed by a wide margin in both Houses this year, House Bill 769 (HB769), sponsored by Rep. Keith Frederick, states that medical retainer agreements – in which the…
SALEM, Ore. (July 8, 2015) – On July 1, marijuana officially became legal in Oregon, effectively nullifying federal prohibition in practice in the Beaver State. And even as the new law went into effect, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown signed another bill into law that will take Oregon’s effort to nullify in practice the federal the war on…
RICHMOND, Va. (July 8, 2015) – A Virginia law that permanently restricts the use of drones by state and local law enforcement went into effect last week. The new law not only establishes important privacy protections at the state level, it will also thwart the federal surveillance state. Virginia was the first state in the…
CONCORD, N.H. (July 7, 2015) – A bill that would prohibit law enforcement from obtaining location data from electronic devices without a warrant in most cases cleared the state legislature and now heads to the governor’s desk. The legislation would not only protect privacy in New Hampshire, but also takes an important first step in…
AUGUSTA, Maine (July 7, 2015) Late last month, the Maine House approved a bill to turn off support and resources to the NSA in the Pine Tree State, only to have it rejected by the state Senate. Sen. Eric Brakey (R-Androscoggin) introduced LD531 on Feb. 26. The Maine Fourth Amendment Protection Act would have banned…
EUGENE, Ore. (July 6, 2015) – Last week, the Oregon state House gave final approval to a bill that would effectively nullify in practice some Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules that prevent terminally ill patients from accessing experimental treatments. It is now headed to Gov. Kate Brown’s desk where it can be signed into…
RALEIGH, N.C. (July 6, 2015) – Last week, Gov. Pat McCrory signed a measure into law effectively nullifying in practice some Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules that prevent terminally ill patients from accessing experimental treatments. Introduced by State Reps. Hugh Blackwell (R-Burke), Mike Hager (R-Rutherford), Donny Lambeth (R-Forsyth) and Robert T. Reives (D-Chatman) along…