Federalism, Homeland Security and International Relations
Task Force Description
State legislators and their constituents are stakeholders in many of the most important national and international issues of the day. The members of the Federalism, Homeland Security and International Relations Task Force believe in the power of free markets and limited government to propel economic growth in the United States and around the globe, and that these guiding principles are just as relevant overseas as they are in America. On the issue of Homeland Security, the Task Force engages state leaders on a variety of topics, including cybersecurity, school security, emergency preparedness, border security, and more.
The Task Force brings together state legislators, policy experts and industry representatives to develop model policy to increase exports, safeguard intellectual property rights, promote the nation’s security, and restore the Constitutionally-designated balance of power between the states and the federal government.
The Task Force has considered and adopted model policy on the very initiatives that grow the U.S. economy, create American jobs and unleash the innovative policy-making capacity of all 50 states. Model policy to address the finalization of a truly free-market Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) as well as leverage America’s growing ability to export domestically produced energy are among those in the International policy portfolio. However, American ingenuity and the intellectual property (IP) underpinning it are the engines driving U.S. economic growth. Underscoring the important role that strong IP rights play in creating high-paying American jobs and spurring America’s innovation economy round out the Task Force’s International model policy library.
Real solutions to America’s challenges can be found in the states – America’s fifty laboratories of democracy – not in one-size-fits-all federal government policies that disregard regional differences and local community needs. The nation has drifted away from our Founding Fathers’ vision by concentrating more power with national government structures. Overregulation and redundant bureaucracy that hinder economic growth, a ballooning national debt that threatens our nation’s security, and federal mismanagement of our country’s most precious resource – the lands within America’s borders – have been the consequences of this federal overreach. The Task Force has adopted model policy supporting the use of Article V of the U.S. Constitution as a tool to restore appropriate control to the states including the proposal of a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution. ALEC has established the Center to Restore the Balance of Government to serve as a resource to state on setting priorities on state sovereignty issues and to provide the tools lawmakers need to champion policies that lead to state control over state issues.
This unique partnership between those interested in international issues and those whose primary focus is federalism has served Task Force members and the model policy adopted in the Task Force well. Our models are discussed at the highest levels of U.S. federal and state governments, and foreign governments and international bodies are familiar with ALEC model policy related to their regions.
In order to capitalize on the specialized knowledge of the Task Force members we have formed three subcommittees: Federalism, Intellectual Property and National Security. Subcommittee Chairs are specialists in their respective disciplines having worked on these issues within their legislatures and/or in their careers outside the legislature.
Meeting Information
Thursday, July 17
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET
Call to Order
Welcome, Approval of the Minutes and Introductions
Presentation: Counteracting A Growing Threat in Our Cities – an Emerging Technology Approach
Model Policy Consideration: Use of AI Firearm Detection Software in Municipalities
Presentation: Taiwan Is Open for Business with America
Model Policy Consideration: Resolution to Strengthen US-Taiwan Economic Cooperation
Model Policy Consideration: State Constitutional Amendment for Term Limits for Congress’ Inflationary Overspenders
Presentation: An Update on E-Verify in the States
Model Policy Consideration: Act to Strengthen Existing State Human Trafficking Statutes
Presentation: Standing Up to Adversarial Influence in Our States
Model Policy Consideration: Foreign Adversary and Terrorist Agent Registration and Transnational Repression Act
Model Policy Consideration: State Act to Prevent Foreign Adversaries from Owning Real Estate
Model Policy Consideration: Resolution on the Importance of Strengthening the United States’ Medical Supply Chains with Trusted Trading Partners
Model Policy Consideration: Constitutional Amendment Voter Approval of New Property Taxes
Model Policy Consideration: State Constitutional Amendment To Oppose New State Taxes, Increased Spending, and Debt Without Voter Approval
Presentation: One Key to Combatting Antisemitism Is Education
Model Policy Consideration: Recognizing Judea and Samaria Act
Model Policy Consideration: Resolution on Protection of Intellectual Property Rights
For the Good of the Order/Adjournment
Draft Policies
- Constitutional Amendment Voter Approval Of New Property Taxes
- State Constitutional Amendment To Oppose New State Taxes, Increased Spending, and Debt Without Voter Approval
- Recognizing Judea and Samaria Act
- State Constitutional Amendment for Term Limits for Congress’ Inflationary Overspenders
- Resolution to Strengthen US-Taiwan Economic Cooperation
- Resolution on Protection of Intellectual Property Rights
- Resolution on the Importance of Strengthening the United States’ Medical Supply Chains with Trusted Trading Partners
- Use of AI Firearm Detection Software in Municipalities Act
- Act to Strengthen Existing State Human Trafficking Statutes
- State Act to Prevent Foreign Adversaries from Owning Real Estate
- Foreign Adversary and Terrorist Agent Registration and Transnational Repression Act
All Model Policies
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Constitutional Amendment Voter Approval Of New Property Taxes Draft
WHEREAS, the primary drivers of property tax increases are both rising property value assessments and increased tax rates. WHEREAS, increased local government spending causes the local governments to administratively deploy property assessments to increase property tax revenues. WHEREAS, the current “no property tax” movement asserts that real property owners do…
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State Constitutional Amendment To Oppose New State Taxes, Increased Spending, and Debt Without Voter Approval Draft
WHEREAS, States through their respective constitutional amendment processes should adopt fiscal responsibility amendments that (I) impose limits on the amount of money government can tax and spend, (II) tie the growth of state revenue to a rate of population growth plus inflation, and (III) require any increases above an established…
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Recognizing Judea and Samaria Act Draft
For An Act To Be Entitled: An Act to create the recognizing Judea and Samaria Act; to prohibit state agencies from using the term “west bank” in official government materials; and for other purposes. Subtitle: To create the recognizing judea and samaria act; and to…
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State Constitutional Amendment for Term Limits for Congress’ Inflationary Overspenders Draft
BE IT RESOLVED Section 1. The following amendment to the Constitution of the State of {insert state} is proposed and agreed to by this, the {insert name of state legislature}, and is referred to the next Legislature for reconsideration and agreement. Section 2. ARTICLE XX, SECTION XX OF THE CONSTITUTION OF…
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Resolution to Strengthen US-Taiwan Economic Cooperation Draft
WHEREAS, the United States and Taiwan enjoy a robust trading partnership; and WHEREAS, American and Taiwanese industries are highly complementary, and a bilateral trade agreement would facilitate cross-border commerce ensuring mutual market access and enabling legal harmonization in digital trade, intellectual property, medical device…
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Resolution on Protection of Intellectual Property Rights Draft
WHEREAS, the U.S. Constitution explicitly states in Article I, Section 8, Clause 8 that Congress has the power “to promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries,” thereby establishing constitutional protection for…