MS HB1410

Creates the Forfeiture Transparency Task Force composed of 13 members including legislative judiciary committee chairs, prosecutors, sheriffs, police chiefs, public defender, justice institute director, Southern Poverty Law Center director, Bureau of Narcotics director, Chief Justice, and Attorney General.

Task force shall review civil asset forfeiture laws and recommend amendments to protect innocent property owners, increase transparency, and ensure greater due process while removing assets obtained through unlawful practices.

Requires law enforcement agencies and court administrative offices to provide information on property seizures by August 15, 2016, with 30-day deadline to furnish requested data; non-compliance must be reported to judiciary committee chairs.

Task force must deliver findings and recommendations by December 1, 2016, to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, legislative leaders, and judiciary committee chairs; Joint Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review shall post report on public website by December 31, 2016.

Task force sunsets on June 30, 2017; Joint Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review provides staff support for task force operations.