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Senate advances bill clarifying coroner duties on decedents' property, sets 180‑day claim period and $50 threshold
Summary
Senate File 75 would revise statute governing coroners to allow coroners to dispose of unclaimed property after 180 days, sell items at public auction or other county‑approved means, apply proceeds first to burial expenses, and remit amounts over $50 to state unclaimed property.
The Senate Committee of the Whole on Jan. 28 advanced Senate File 75, a bill that clarifies county coroner responsibilities for money and property found with deceased persons and establishes procedural details for unclaimed property.
Senator Case, sponsor, said the existing statute requires coroners to turn money or property over to the clerk of district court, a practice he said is no longer practical. "Coroners handle property. Clerks of court don't," Case said, explaining the bill would instead allow coroners to return property to an appointed personal representative, or, if none, dispose of it under specified procedures.
The standing committee amendment added two specific provisions: it replaces an open "reasonable time" standard with a 180‑day claim period for next of kin or personal representatives to come forward, and it directs proceeds exceeding $50 to the state treasurer's unclaimed property process. Senator Olson explained the 180‑day provision standardizes county practice and the $50 threshold limits small administrative burdens for local officials.
The bill also requires sale proceeds to first pay burial expenses and allows counties to use public auction or other lawful disposal methods for items such as vehicles. Senator Rafais questioned the $50 threshold for unclaimed property; Senator Crago said the number was chosen to reduce workload on county officials and could be adjusted.
Senate File 75, with the standing committee amendment adopted on the floor, passed out of the Committee of the Whole on Jan. 28 and will continue through the Senate process.
