MS HB1311

Reenacts and amends 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.

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

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

Requires persons claiming an interest in seized property to contest forfeiture by sending a written notice of contest to the seizing law enforcement agency within 30 days, including identification of property, contact information, and request for judicial review.

Grants seizing law enforcement agencies 30 days after receiving a notice of contest to file a petition for forfeiture in county or circuit court; property is forfeited and distributed if no timely written notice of contest is received and a seizure warrant was properly obtained.