S 0462 General Bill, By Davis
Similar (H 3226)
Summary: Controlled substances and forfeiture of property
    A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 44-53-520 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES AND FORFEITURE PROCEDURES FOR PROPERTY SEIZED ACCORDINGLY, TO PROVIDE FOR THE EXPEDITED RETURN OF CERTAIN PROPERTY AND MONIES SEIZED WHEN FORFEITURE PROCEEDINGS HAVE NOT BEEN INSTITUTED AND CHARGES HAVE NOT BEEN FILED WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF SEIZURE, TO PROVIDE THAT A LAWFUL OWNER MAY NOT BE REQUIRED TO PROVE THAT PROPERTY OR MONIES SEIZED WERE LEGALLY ACQUIRED, TO PROHIBIT A SEIZING AUTHORITY FROM REQUIRING A LAWFUL OWNER OF PROPERTY OR MONIES TO SIGN A RELEASE ABSOLVING THE SEIZING AUTHORITY FROM CIVIL LIABILITY RELATING TO AN UNLAWFUL SEIZURE BEFORE PROPERTY OR MONIES ARE RETURNED, AND TO PROVIDE THAT CRIMINAL CHARGES MAY BE BROUGHT AT A LATER DATE IF EVIDENCE WARRANTS; TO AMEND SECTION 44-53-530 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES AND FORFEITURE PROCEDURES FOR PROPERTY SEIZED ACCORDINGLY, TO ALLOW FORFEITURE PROCEEDINGS TO BE HELD IN THE MAGISTRATES COURT IF THE VALUE OF THE PROPERTY SEIZED DOES NOT EXCEED SEVEN THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS, TO CHANGE THE METHOD OF ALLOCATING VARIOUS ASSETS OBTAINED THROUGH DRUG FORFEITURES SO THAT, AFTER THE FIRST ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS RETAINED BY THE APPROPRIATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, THE REMAINING ASSETS MUST BE FORWARDED TO THE PROSECUTING AGENCY, AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL CHANGES REFLECTING THE NEW DISTRIBUTION OF THESE ASSETS; AND TO AMEND SECTION 44-53-586 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE RETURN OF SEIZED ITEMS UNDER DRUG FORFEITURE LAWS TO INNOCENT OWNERS, TO ALLOW PROCEEDINGS TO BE HELD IN THE MAGISTRATES COURT IF THE VALUE OF THE PROPERTY SEIZED DOES NOT EXCEED SEVEN THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS.
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01/30/19	Senate	Introduced and read first time (Senate Journal-page 4)
01/30/19	Senate	Referred to Committee on Judiciary (Senate Journal-page 4)