HB 126 Summary

• Requires seizing agencies to maintain and publicly post records of all seized or forfeited property, including seizure authority, date, location, description, and estimated value.

• Restricts federal equitable sharing agreements to cases involving U.S. currency exceeding $100,000, preventing circumvention of state forfeiture laws through federal transfers.

• Requires filing of criminal charges within one year of seizure or property must be returned to legal owner; property that is contraband or unlawful shall be disposed of per attorney general rules.

• Modifies disposition of forfeited property to prioritize public sale over agency transfers, with proceeds split 25% to law enforcement agency, 25% to prosecuting attorney, and 50% to criminal forfeiture fund.

• Removes liberal construction language from forfeiture statute and requires attorney general to adopt rules governing property seizure, return, disposition, and fund management with expanded legislative reporting requirements.