HB 5990 Summary

• Amends property forfeiture procedures in the Public Health Code to replace newspaper publication requirements with "Tier B public notice" as defined in the Local Government Public Notice Act, effective after December 31, 2014.

• Requires seizing agencies to promptly begin forfeiture proceedings when property valued at $50,000 or less is seized without process, and to notify property owners within 20 days of seizure.

• Clarifies that seized property remains in custody of the seizing agency subject only to court order and forfeiture proceedings, and allows seizing agencies to seal, remove, or deposit seized money into interest-bearing accounts.

• Modifies sanitary sewer connection requirements to use "Tier B public notice" instead of newspaper publication when notifying the public of available public sanitary sewer systems, also effective after December 31, 2014.

• Bill is contingent on enactment of Senate Bill No. ___ or House Bill 5560 (request no. 03796'13) of the 97th Legislature.