Oklahoma Committee Passes Bill to Ban Warrantless Stingray Spying, Hinder Federal Surveillance

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (Feb 14, 2018) – Yesterday, an Oklahoma Senate committee unanimously passed a bill that would ban the warrantless collection of electronic data and the use of “stingrays” to track the location of phones and sweep up electronic communications in most situations. Passage of the bill would not only protect privacy in the…

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Utah House Passes Bills to Legalize Medical Marijuana for Some Terminally-Ill Patients

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (Feb 14, 2018) – The Utah House has passed two bills that would allow terminally ill patients to legally use medical marijuana under the state’s Right to Try law. Final passage would take a first step toward nullifying federal cannabis prohibition in effect in the Beehive State. Rep. Brad Daw (R-Orem)…

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Iowa Subcommittee Approves Bill to Expand Healthcare Freedom

DES MOINES, Iowa (Feb. 14, 2018) – An Iowa House subcommittee has approved a bill that would help facilitate healthcare freedom outside of government insurance regulatory schemes. Rep. David Heaton (R-Mt. Pleasant) introduced House Bill 2275 (HF2275) on February 7. The legislation specifies that direct primary care agreements (sometimes called medical retainer agreements) do not constitute insurance,…

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Alaska Committee Passes Bill to Legalize Industrial Hemp

JUNEAU, Alaska (Feb. 13, 2018) – An Alaska House committee has passed a bill to legalize industrial hemp and creating a licensing program for its cultivation in the state, taking the first step toward nullifying federal prohibition on the plant in practice. Sen. Shelly Hughes (R) filed Senate Bill 6 (SB6) last year and it…

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Maryland Bill Would Allow Customers to Opt Out of Smart Meters, Undermine Federal Program

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Feb. 13, 2018) – A bill filed in the Maryland House would allow customers to opt out of installing “smart meter” technology on their homes and businesses without penalty. Passage of this bill would enable Marylanders to protect their own privacy, and it would take a step toward blocking a federal program in effect.…

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Maryland Bill Would Help Protect Medical Marijuana Users’ Right to Keep and Bear Arms

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Feb. 13, 2018) – A bill introduced in the Maryland House would protect medical marijuana users’ right to possess firearms in the state. It would also help foster an environment hostile to federal gun control and take another step toward nullifying unconstitutional marijuana prohibition. Sen. Michael Hough (R) and Sen. Robert Zirkin (D) introduced…

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Idaho House Passes Bill to Help Encourage Use of Gold and Silver as Money

BOISE, Idaho (Feb. 12, 2017) – Today, the Idaho House passed a bill that would offset federal capital gains taxes on gold and silver specie, encouraging its use and taking another step toward breaking the Federal Reserve’s monopoly on money. The House of Delegates Revenue and Taxation Committee Committee introduced House Bill 449 (H449) on Jan. 30.…

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Massachusetts Committee Approves Bill to Limit ALPR use, Help Block National License Plate Tracking Program

BOSTON, Mass. (Feb. 12, 2018) – Today, a Massachusetts committee passed a bill that would put strict limitations on the use of automated license plate reader systems (ALPRs) by the state. Passage into law would also place significant roadblocks in the way of a federal program using states to help track the location of millions of everyday…

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Hawaii Committees Pass Bill to Prohibit Warrantless Stingray Spying, Hinder Federal Surveillance Program

Under the proposed law, police will be required to get a court order or warrant before deploying a stingray device in most situations.

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New Jersey Bills Would Put Limits on Police use of Drones, Help Thwart Federal Surveillance Program

TRENTON, N.J. (Feb. 12, 2018) – Two bills introduced in the New Jersey legislature would ban warrantless drone surveillance in most situations. Final passage of this legislation would not only establish important privacy protections at the state level, it would also help thwart the federal surveillance state. Sen. Nicholas Sacco (D-North Bergen) introduced Senate Bill 577…

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