MS SB2502

Reenacts Section 41-29-176 to restore administrative forfeiture procedures for seized property under the Uniform Controlled Substances Law valued at less than $20,000.

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

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

Authorizes any person claiming an interest in seized property to contest the forfeiture by sending written notice to the seizing agency within 30 days; requires the agency to file a forfeiture petition within 30 days of receiving the contest notice.

Requires the district attorney or designee to prepare a written declaration of forfeiture if no contest is timely filed and a seizure warrant was properly obtained; property is then distributed according to existing law.