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House approves civil asset‑forfeiture reforms requiring greater parity with criminal cases
Summary
The House passed a second substitute to HB 19 advancing civil asset‑forfeiture reforms: a broader definition of 'innocent owner,' a requirement that prosecutors bring parallel criminal actions in many cases (with exceptions), and removal of a cap on attorney‑fee recovery; the bill passed 58–10.
Representative Greg Green presented the second substitute to HB 19 as a package of reforms aimed at reducing disparities between civil forfeiture actions and criminal prosecutions. He said the bill seeks to “protect the property rights of innocent owners” by redefining that status and by ensuring a minimum level of parity between civil and criminal processes.
Key changes described on the floor include:
- Redefining “innocent owner” so that a property holder is not treated as culpable simply because they failed to take unilateral steps to…
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