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Committee urges state to let forfeiture funds pay for treatment, diversion and prevention
Summary
Kenosha County’s legislative committee unanimously approved a resolution asking the Wisconsin Legislature to expand forfeiture spending to include drug treatment, diversion, prevention and law-enforcement program costs so seized funds can support rehabilitation and prevention programs.
Supervisor Decker presented a resolution asking the state to amend the relevant Wisconsin statute so counties can spend forfeiture proceeds on a broader set of public-safety and treatment uses. Supporters described it as a way to let local agencies use seized funds for treatment courts, salaries for treatment staff and diversion programs.
Committee members probed the fiscal mechanics and asked for data on how much forfeiture money is currently available and whether shifting allowable uses would reduce state school funding. One member summarized the proposal: "This is just extending the amount of things we can spend our 0.5 on," noting that current practice often splits proceeds and that this would expand eligible local spending. The committee voted and approved the resolution unanimously.
