OLYMPIA, Washington (March 2, 2017) – Yesterday, the Washington state Senate unanimously passed a bill that 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. A bipartisan coalition of 13 senators sponsor Senate Bill 5035 (SB5035). The legislation would…
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (March 2, 2017) – On Tuesday, the Indiana Senate passed a bill that would reform the state’s asset forfeiture laws to prohibit the state from taking property without a criminal conviction. The legislation also takes on federal forfeiture programs by banning prosecutors from circumventing state laws by passing cases off to the feds.…
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Mar. 1, 2017) – Yesterday, the Washington state House unanimously passed bill that would remove industrial hemp from the state’s “controlled substances” list. Passage into law would set the stage for people there to nullify federal prohibition on the plant in practice. Rep. Matt Shea (R-Spokane Valley) and a bipartisan coalition of three…
AUSTIN, Texas (March 1, 2017) – A bill introduced in the Texas House would create a mechanism to review federal laws and end state cooperation with enforcement of those determined to violate the U.S. Constitution. This process would set the stage to effectively block some federal laws and acts in the Lone Star State. Rep.…
When confronted with the fact that the Founders were not in favor of massive military, surveillance, or other federal programs – neocons will often resort to one of two claims: The founders couldn’t have possibly understood what we face today, so times have changed. This, mind you – is the same argument given by the…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (Feb. 28, 2016) – Two Minnesota bills would legalize marijuana for recreational use in the state. Passage would also take a big step toward nullifying federal cannabis prohibition in practice in the state. House Bill 926 (HF926) was introduced by Rep. Jason Metsa (DFL-Virginia) and 12 co-sponsors, while House Bill 927 (HF927)…
ATLANTA, Ga. (Feb. 28, 2017) – Last week, the Georgia Senate unanimously passed a bill that would help facilitate healthcare freedom in the state. A coalition of six Republican senators sponsor Senate Bill 50 (SB50). Titled the “Direct Primary Care Act,” the legislation specifies that direct primary care agreements (sometimes called medical retainer agreements) do…
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Feb. 28, 2017) – A Washington state bill that would limit the use of automatic license plate readers (ALPRs), and restrict the retention and sharing of collected data, passed an important House committee last week. If given final approval, the bill would not only protect privacy in Washington state, but would also hinder…
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (Feb. 28, 2017) – A Utah bill that would require state courts to fully inform jurors of their right to use discretion in rendering verdicts passed an important House committee last week. Rep. Mark Roberts (R-67) introduced House Bill 332 (HB332) on Feb. 9. The legislation would require that a jury…
LANSING, Mich. (Feb. 28, 2017) – A bill introduced in the Michigan House would allow customers to opt out of installing “smart meter” technology on their homes and businesses. Passage of this bill would allow Michigan residents to protect their own privacy, and it would take a step toward blocking a federal program in effect.…