MS HB1677

Reenacts Section 41-29-176 to establish administrative forfeiture procedures for seized property under the Uniform Controlled Substances Law with a value not exceeding $20,000.

Permits substitute notice via posting on an official state government forfeiture website maintained by the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics for property valued at $10,000 or less, displayed for at least 30 consecutive days, instead of newspaper publication.

Authorizes the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics to charge reasonable fees to other law enforcement agencies that utilize the forfeiture website for internet publication.

Requires notice to include property description, approximate value, seizure date and location, connection to controlled substances violation, judicial review instructions, and statement that property will be forfeited if judicial review is not timely filed.

Allows interested parties 30 days from notice receipt or first publication date to file a petition contesting forfeiture in county or circuit court; if no petition is timely filed and seizure warrant was properly obtained, the district attorney must prepare a written declaration of forfeiture.