FL H0889

Restricts property seizures to cases where the owner is arrested for a criminal violation or specific circumstances apply, including unidentifiable owners, fugitives, deceased owners, individuals with actual knowledge of criminal activity, confidential informants, and monetary instruments.

Requires seizing agencies to submit written petitions within 10 days of seizure to establish compliance and probable cause; property must be released within 5 days if the court finds either element lacking.

Makes seizing agencies responsible for damage to seized property and storage/maintenance costs; requires agencies to pay $1,000 filing fee and deposit $1,500 bond with the court.

Changes forfeiture standard from "clear and convincing evidence" to "proof beyond a reasonable doubt" and caps claimant attorney's fees at $1,000 (reduced from $2,000) at preliminary hearing.

Creates mandatory annual reporting requirements for seized/forfeited property with $5,000 civil fine for noncompliance; requires 15 percent of proceeds (raised from 25 percent) to support drug treatment, crime prevention, or school resource officer programs.

Takes effect July 1, 2016.