South Carolina General Assembly
118th Session, 2009-2010

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Bill 3761

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter


(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

COMMITTEE REPORT

April 22, 2009

H. 3761

Introduced by Rep. Cooper

S. Printed 4/22/09--H.

Read the first time March 25, 2009.

            

THE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

To whom was referred a Bill (H. 3761) to amend Section 44-53-530, as amended, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, relating to forfeiture procedures related to drug proceeds, so as to allow, etc., respectfully

REPORT:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:

JAMES H. HARRISON for Committee.

            

A BILL

TO AMEND SECTION 44-53-530, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO FORFEITURE PROCEDURES RELATED TO DRUG PROCEEDS, SO AS TO ALLOW THE USE OF FORFEITED MONIES AND PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF PROPERTY FOR TRAINING AND EDUCATION BY LAW ENFORCEMENT IN ADDITION TO OTHER USES PREVIOUSLY DELINEATED.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Section 44-53-530(g) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(g)    All forfeited monies and proceeds from the sale of forfeited property as defined in Section 44-53-520 must be retained by the governing body of the local law enforcement agency or prosecution agency and deposited in a separate, special account in the name of each appropriate agency. These accounts may be drawn on and used only by the law enforcement agency or prosecution agency for which the account was established. For law enforcement agencies, the accounts must be used for drug enforcement activities or training or education, and for prosecution agencies, the accounts must be used in matters relating to the prosecution of drug offenses and litigation of drug-related matters.

These accounts must not be used to supplant operating funds in the current or future budgets. Expenditures from these accounts for an item that would be a recurring expense must be approved by the governing body before purchase or, in the case of a state law enforcement agency or prosecution agency, approved as provided by law.

In the case of a state law enforcement agency or state prosecution agency, monies and proceeds must be remitted to the State Treasurer who shall establish separate, special accounts as provided in this section for local agencies.

All expenditures from these accounts must be documented, and the documentation made available for audit purposes and upon request by a person under the provisions of Chapter 4of, Title 30, the Freedom of Information Act."

SECTION    2.    The repeal or amendment by this act of any law, whether temporary or permanent or civil or criminal, does not affect pending actions, rights, duties, or liabilities founded thereon, or alter, discharge, release or extinguish any penalty, forfeiture, or liability incurred under the repealed or amended law, unless the repealed or amended provision shall so expressly provide. After the effective date of this act, all laws repealed or amended by this act must be taken and treated as remaining in full force and effect for the purpose of sustaining any pending or vested right, civil action, special proceeding, criminal prosecution, or appeal existing as of the effective date of this act, and for the enforcement of rights, duties, penalties, forfeitures, and liabilities as they stood under the repealed or amended laws.

SECTION    3.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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