MS HB98

Reenacts Section 41-29-176 governing administrative forfeiture of property seized under the Uniform Controlled Substances Law for properties valued at $20,000 or less.

Requires law enforcement to notify interested parties by certified mail, personal delivery, or newspaper publication of intent to administratively forfeit seized property.

Allows substitute notice via posting on an official state government forfeiture website maintained by the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics for properties valued at $10,000 or less, with the bureau authorized to charge reasonable fees to other agencies using the site.

Permits any person claiming an interest in forfeited property to file a petition contesting forfeiture within 30 days of notice in county or circuit court, with proceedings governed by civil procedure rules.

Removes the July 1, 2014 repealer date from Chapter 484 of the 2013 Laws, making the administrative forfeiture provisions permanent law, effective July 1, 2014.