NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 7, 2017) – Bills introduced in the Tennessee legislature would reform asset forfeiture laws to prohibit the state from taking property without a criminal conviction. The legislation also takes on federal forfeiture programs by banning prosecutors from circumventing state laws by passing cases off to the feds in most situations. Rep. Martin…
DENVER Colo. (Feb. 3, 2017) – A bill introduced in the Colorado Senate would close a loophole that allows state and local police to circumvent more stringent state asset forfeiture laws by passing cases off to the feds. A bipartisan coalition of four senators introduced Senate Bill 136 (SB136) on Jan. 31. The legislation primarily…
SANTA FE, N.M. (Feb. 1, 2017) – A bill filed in the New Mexico Senate would close a loophole some city officials claim allows them to continue with civil asset forfeiture despite a 2015 law meant to end the practice in the state. Daniel A. Ivey-Soto (D-Albuquerque) filed Senate Bill 202 (SB202) on Jan. 26.…
On this episode of Tenther Tuesday, Mike Maharrey and Michael Boldin give updates on a number of bills TAC is tracking.
JUNEAU, Alaska, (Jan. 29, 2017) – A bill introduced in the Alaska House would reform asset forfeiture laws to prohibit the state from taking property without a criminal conviction in most cases. The legislation also takes on federal forfeiture programs by banning prosecutors from circumventing state laws by passing cases off to the feds in…
CONCORD, N.H. (Jan. 27, 2017) – A bill introduced in the New Hampshire House would close a loophole that allows state and local police to circumvent stringent state asset forfeiture laws by passing cases off to the feds. Rep, Michael Sylvia (R-Belmont) and Rep. John Burt (R-Goffstown) introduced House Bill 614 (HB614) on Jan. 5.…
OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 24, 2017) – A bill prefiled in the Oklahoma Senate would reform the state’s asset forfeiture laws by eliminating civil forfeiture and providing for a jury trial. The legislation also takes on federal forfeiture programs by banning prosecutors from circumventing state laws by passing cases off to the feds. Sen. Kyle Loveless…
JACKSON, Miss. (Jan. 23, 2017) – A bill introduced in the Mississippi Senate would reform the state’s asset forfeiture laws to prohibit the state from taking property without a criminal conviction. The legislation also takes on federal forfeiture programs by banning prosecutors from circumventing state laws by passing cases off to the feds in most…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Jan. 18, 2017) – A bill introduced in the Illinois House would reform the state’s asset forfeiture laws to prohibit the state from taking property without a criminal conviction. The legislation also takes on federal forfeiture programs by banning prosecutors from circumventing state laws by passing cases off to the feds. Rep. Al…
North Dakota is currently the second best state in terms of federal equitable sharing. This is likely because state restrictions are currently so bad. State forfeiture reform without closing the federal loophole would almost certainly increase federal forfeiture in the state.