SB17-136 Summary

• Division of Criminal Justice must establish and maintain a searchable public website containing detailed information on each property seizure (including seizure date, property type, value, location, criminal offense, case outcomes) and how each government agency used forfeiture proceeds.

• Seizing agencies must update the website by the end of the month following each seizure and monthly thereafter until forfeiture is complete; agencies that fail to update within 30 days without good cause face a $10,000 civil fine and become ineligible to receive forfeited property or proceeds.

• Seizing agencies prohibited from transferring seized property to federal agencies unless the property includes currency exceeding $100,000; all other seized property must be referred to state, district, county, or municipal prosecutors for forfeiture litigation.

• State Auditor must conduct annual financial audits of seized property and forfeiture expenditures, with reports due to legislature and executive director by December 1 each year; Executive Director must submit annual report summarizing statewide seizure and forfeiture activity by December 31.

• Division authorized to charge seizing agencies fees for website updates, with revenues deposited into a new Forfeiture Reporting Cash Fund; information and reports prepared under this bill are public records.