Bill Text: VA SB574 | 2012 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Forfeited drug assets; redirection of assets to construction of Public Safety Memorial.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-02-06 - Senate: Incorporated by Courts of Justice [SB574 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2012-SB574-Introduced.html
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12104129D Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia: 1. That §19.2-386.14 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows: §19.2-386.14. Sharing of forfeited drug assets. A. All cash, negotiable instruments and proceeds from a sale
conducted pursuant to §19.2-386.7 or §19.2-386.12, after deduction of
expenses, fees and costs as provided in §19.2-386.12, shall, as soon after
entry of the forfeiture as is practicable, be paid over to the state treasury
into a special fund of the Department of Criminal Justice Services for
distribution in accordance with this section. The forfeited property and
proceeds, less The B. Any federal, state or local agency or office that directly participated in the investigation or other law-enforcement activity which led, directly or indirectly, to the seizure and forfeiture shall be eligible for, and may petition the Department for, return of the forfeited asset or an equitable share of the net proceeds, based upon the degree of participation in the law-enforcement effort resulting in the forfeiture, taking into account the total value of all property forfeited and the total law-enforcement effort with respect to the violation of law on which the forfeiture is based. Upon finding that the petitioning agency is eligible for distribution and that all participating agencies agree on the equitable share of each, the Department shall distribute each share directly to the appropriate treasury of the participating agency. If all eligible participating agencies cannot agree on the equitable shares of the net proceeds, the shares shall be determined by the Criminal Justice Services Board in accordance with regulations which shall specify the criteria to be used by the Board in assessing the degree of participation in the law-enforcement effort resulting in the forfeiture. C. After the order of forfeiture is entered, any seizing agency may petition the Department for return of any forfeited motor vehicle, boat or aircraft or other tangible personal property which is not subject to a grant or pending petition for remission. Where all the participating agencies agree upon the equitable distribution of the tangible personal property, the Department shall return the property to those agencies upon finding that (i) the agency meets the criteria for distribution as set forth in subsection B and (ii) the agency has a clear and reasonable law-enforcement need for the forfeited property. If all eligible participating agencies cannot agree on the distribution of the property, distribution shall be determined by the Criminal Justice Services Board as in subsection B, taking into consideration the clear and reasonable law-enforcement needs for the property which the agencies may have. In order to equitably distribute tangible personal property, the Criminal Justice Services Board may require the agency receiving the property to reimburse the Department in cash for the difference between the fair market value of the forfeited property and the agency's equitable share as determined by the Criminal Justice Services Board. D. All forfeited property, including its proceeds or cash equivalent, received by a participating state or local agency pursuant to this section shall be used to promote law enforcement but shall not be used to supplant existing programs or funds. The Board shall promulgate regulations establishing an audit procedure to ensure compliance with this section. E. On or after July 1, 2012, but before July 1, 2014, state and local seizing agencies may contribute cash funds and proceeds from forfeited property to the Virginia Public Safety Foundation to support the construction of the Commonwealth Public Safety Memorial. Any funds contributed by seizing agencies shall be contributed only after an internal analysis to determine that such contributions will not negatively impact law-enforcement training or operations.
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