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Now In Effect: New Arizona Law Takes on State, Federal Asset Forfeiture

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Aug. 11, 2017) – On Tuesday, a new Arizona law reforming the state’s civil asset forfeiture process went into effect. The new law also takes on federal forfeiture programs by banning prosecutors from circumventing state laws by passing cases off to the feds.

Rep. Eddie Farnsworth (R-Gilbert) introduced House Bill 2477 (HB2477) on Feb. 7. The new law requires prosecutors to…

Now in Effect: Colorado Opts Out of Federal Asset Forfeiture Program in Most Situations

DENVER Colo. (Aug. 9, 2017) – Today, a Colorado law goes into effect taking an important first step toward closing a federal asset forfeiture loophole.

A bipartisan coalition of two representatives and two senators introduced House Bill 1313 (HB1313) on April 3. The legislation primarily creates an extensive reporting system related to asset forfeiture that law enforcement agencies now must…

Connecticut Reforms Asset Forfeiture Law, But Federal Loophole Remains

HARTFORD, Conn. (July 19, 2017) – Last week, Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy signed a bill into law that significantly reforms the state’s asset forfeiture laws, but fails to close a loophole that allows police to circumvent more strict state laws by passing cases off to the feds.

The House Banking Committee Committee introduced House Bill 7146 (HB7146) earlier this year. The legislation reforms…

Missouri Committee Passes Bill to Withdraw from Federal Asset Forfeiture Program in Most Situations

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (April 19, 2017) – Yesterday, a second Missouri House committee unanimously passed a bill that would close a loophole allowing state and local police to circumvent stringent state asset forfeiture laws by passing cases off to the feds.

Rep. Shamed Dogan (R-St. Louis) filed House Bill 231 (HB231) in January. The legislation would prohibit Missouri law enforcement agencies or…

Colorado Bill Would Close Federal Asset Forfeiture Loophole in Most Situations

DENVER Colo. (April 18, 2017) – A bill introduced in the Colorado House would take big steps towards closing a federal 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 two representatives and two senators introduced House Bill 1313 (HB1313) on April 3.

The legislation primarily creates…

Michigan House Bill Would Ban Civil Asset Forfeiture, but Leaves Federal Loophole Unaddressed

LANSING, Mich. (Apr. 6, 2017) – A bill introduced in the Michigan House would reform asset forfeiture laws to prohibit the state from taking property without a criminal conviction in most cases.

Rep. Pete Lucido (R-Shelby Township) introduced House Bill 4158 (HB4158) on Feb. 2 to reform Michigan law by requiring a criminal conviction before prosecutors could proceed with asset forfeiture in most…

Maine Bill Takes on Asset Forfeiture; Closes Federal Loophole

AUGUSTA, Maine (March 15, 2017) – A bill introduced in the Maine legislature 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 situations.

Sen. Eric Brakey (R-Androscoggin),…

New Hampshire House Passes Bill to Close Federal Asset Forfeiture Loophole

CONCORD, N.H. (March 9, 2017) –  Today, the New Hampshire House passed a bill that would close a federal loophole allowing 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. The legislation would prohibit New Hampshire law…