2017 House Bill 4158

Require conviction for property forfeiture

Introduced in the House

Feb. 2, 2017

Introduced by Rep. Pete Lucido (R-36)

To establish that property seized from a person because it may be associated with a suspected drug crime is not subject to forfeiture unless the individual is actually convicted. The bill would also prohibit officials from requiring a person to negotiate for return of their property.

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary

May 1, 2018

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-5) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

May 8, 2018

Amendment offered by Rep. Tim Greimel (D-29)

To lower the threshold at which conviction would no longer be required for forfeiture from $50,000 to $10,000.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Passed in the House 83 to 26 (details)

To establish that property seized from a person because it may be associated with a suspected drug crime is not subject to forfeiture unless an individual is actually convicted. However, the conviction requirement would only apply to forfeitures of less than $50,000 (meaning police and prosecutors could still take and keep those assets using a lower burden of proof).

Received in the Senate

May 10, 2018

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary