Montana House Votes to Nullify NDAA Indefinite Detention, 98-0

NOTE: After initially reporting a vote of 97-1, the Montana legislature has updated the vote count to 98-0

After passing out of committee by a unanimous vote last week, the full Montana State House approved House Bill 522 (HB522) and moved the bill on to the State Senate. The vote was 97-1.

A modified version of the Liberty Preservation Act released by the Tenth Amendment Center, Montana joins a growing choir of states and localities who’ve decided that waiting for federal politicians to repeal their own power is something they’re not willing to risk.

The bill was sponsored by State Representative Nicholas Schwaderer who worked hard behind the scenes to get a bipartisan group of legislators to cosponsor – 18 republicans and 6 democrats. In presenting the bill on its 2nd reading yesterday, Schwaderer said his motivation to introduce the bill was to get something done, and not just make a statement.

“I thought, how can we deal with this and not have it be some kind of letter to Santa Claus?”

He also noted that the bill brought together a wide coalition of support from around the political spectrum.

This bill has the coolest spread of sponsors signed on. A lot of people support of the bill that would be opposing each other. I urge a big ole green on this one!

If signed into law, HB522 would make it illegal for Montana to participate in NDAA indefinite detention: “The state of Montana may not provide material support or participate with the implementation of sections 1021 and 1022 of the federal National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, Public Law 112-81, within the boundaries of this state”

Noncompliance with federal law is 100% noncontroversial both legally and constitutionally. There’s absolutely ZERO serious thought that supports the idea that the federal government has the constitutional authority to require state agents to enforce federal laws. Even the Supreme Court has affirmed this more than once in recent history. Statements to the contrary are absurd.

Such noncompliance on a wide scale is very effective in rendering an unconstitutional federal act null, void or just unenforceable. Learn how this method plays out and works HERE.

ACTION STEPS for Montana

Next up for HB522 is to be assigned to a committee for consideration in the State Senate. Bills move fast in the short legislative session, so your support is needed right now.

1. Contact your state senator. Strongly, but respectfully, urge him or her to vote YES on HB522. Let them know that you see “indefinite detention” as a direct attack on your liberty and on the Constitution.

Find your state senator here:
http://leg.mt.gov/css/find%20a%20legislator.asp

2. Encourage your local community to take action as well. Present the Liberty Preservation Act to your city county, your town council, or your county commissioners. Various local governments around the country are already passing similar resolutions and ordinances. Local legislative action present a great way to strengthen a statewide campaign against NDAA indefinite detention

Model legislation here:
http://tenthamendmentcenter.com/ndaa

3. Join the Nullify NDAA group on Facebook. Interact and work with like-minded people. Report back with any feedback you get from your state representative and more.
http://www.facebook.com/groups/nullifyndaamontana/

LEGISLATION AND TRACKING

If you live anywhere outside of Montana, please contact your own legislators regarding anti-NDAA legislation. If none has been introduced in your state, you can email them The Liberty Preservation Act model legislation.

Track the status of NDAA nullification in states around the country HERE