HB18-1020 Summary

• Expands civil forfeiture reporting requirements by changing "seizing agency" to "reporting agency" and including local public nuisance law enforcement, district attorneys, and federal forfeiture cases in reporting obligations.

• Establishes biannual reporting forms and creates a searchable public database maintained by the executive director to track forfeiture actions, seizures, and how proceeds are used.

• Creates two new grant programs funded by forfeiture proceeds: the Law Enforcement Assistance Grant Program (to reimburse agencies for money lost due to certain forfeiture restrictions) and the Law Enforcement Community Services Grant Program (for community policing, drug treatment, technology, and training).

• Redirects forfeiture proceeds distribution from 100% to seizing agencies to: 50% to the governmental body with budgetary authority over the seizing agency, 25% to substance use disorder treatment programs, and 25% to the Law Enforcement Community Services Grant Program Fund.

• Appropriates $1,487,821 from the marijuana tax cash fund to the Division of Criminal Justice for the 2018-19 fiscal year to implement the law enforcement assistance grant program; takes effect September 1, 2018, subject to voter approval if challenged by referendum petition.