MI HB4631

Amends Michigan's forfeiture law to require a criminal conviction or guilty plea before property can be forfeited in drug-related cases, with limited exceptions.

Exceptions to conviction requirement include: no one claims the property, owner waives the requirement, or defendant is outside the state and cannot be extradited or located despite law enforcement efforts.

Raises the property value threshold for public and regional airport authorities from $50,000 to $20,000 in aggregate fair market value (excluding contraband) before forfeiture can proceed without a criminal conviction.

Allows immediate destruction of property that cannot be lawfully possessed or is dangerous to public health or safety, regardless of criminal conviction status.

Effective immediately upon enactment on May 26, 2022, applying to forfeiture proceedings initiated on or after August 7, 2019.