FORFEITURE PROC.; EXEMPT AIRPORT OFFICERS H.B. 4631 & 4632:
SUMMARY OF BILL
REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE
House Bills 4631 and 4632 (as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Representative Graham Filler (H.B. 4631)
Representative Alex Garza (H.B. 4632)
Senate Committee: Judiciary and Public Safety
CONTENT
House Bills 4631 and 4632, collectively, would amend Part 75 (Enforcement and Administration) of the Public Health Code to exempt from certain forfeiture proceedings property seized by law enforcement officers appointed by a public airport authority or by a regional airport authority if the aggregate fair market value of the property and currency seized exceeded $20,000, excluding the value of contraband.
MCL 333.7521a (H.B. 4631) Legislative Analyst: Stephen Jackson
333.7523a (H.B. 4632)
FISCAL IMPACT
The bills would have an indeterminate positive fiscal impact on local governments that operate a public airport authority or a regional airport authority. The bills would remove restrictions as to when law enforcement agencies could seize cash and property related to crimes under the Public Health Code, specifically controlled substance violations. The Act generally restricts forfeiture of property for controlled substance violations to those instances in which a conviction eventually follows, either by trial or plea agreement. The bills would exempt seizure by law enforcement officers appointed by a public airport authority or a regional airport authority. It is unknown what amount of property or cash would go to airport authorities or local law enforcement agencies, but it is likely the provisions of the bills would increase revenue from forfeiture by some amount.
Date Completed: 6-29-21 Fiscal Analyst: Michael Siracuse
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.