MS HB1104

Reenacts Section 41-29-176 of the Mississippi Code, which was automatically repealed on July 1, 2018, to restore administrative forfeiture procedures for property seized under the Uniform Controlled Substances Law.

Allows law enforcement to administratively forfeit seized property (excluding controlled substances, raw materials, or paraphernalia) valued at $20,000 or less without judicial proceedings.

Requires notice to interested parties by certified mail, personal delivery, or newspaper publication (three consecutive weeks), with an alternative option to post notice on a state government forfeiture website for at least 30 days for property valued under $10,000.

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

Authorizes the district attorney or bureau attorney to prepare a written declaration of forfeiture if no timely petition is filed and a seizure warrant was properly obtained, with forfeited property distributed according to Section 41-29-181.