Relating to reporting requirements and oversight of law enforcement agencies that seize and forfeit property under state or federal law

The bill also provides that the attorney general shall establish and maintain a searchable public internet site that includes the total amount of funds expended in 10 categories which resulted from property seized and forfeited and the total value of seized and forfeited property held by the law enforcement agency at the end of the reporting period. The bill provides monthly reporting requirements for law enforcement agencies and criminal prosecutors for reporting of seizures, which entail providing required information to the attorney general’s internet site. The bill provides that a commander of a multijurisdictional task force may appoint one agency to report seizures. The bill provides that law enforcement agencies that spend forfeiture-related proceeds shall provide required information to the attorney general’s internet site within 30 days after the end of the fiscal year with specified information. The bill provides that a commander of a multijurisdictional task force may appoint one agency to report expenditures. The bill provides that the attorney general must submit a detailed and specified report to the general assembly and the governor 120 days after the close of the fiscal year on the disposition of seized property, forfeitures, and expenditures of forfeiture proceeds. The bill provides that the report may include policy recommendations. The bill provides that the report shall be made available on the attorney general’s internet site. The bill provides penalties if a law enforcement agency fails to file a report within 30 days after it is due. The bill provides for the auditor of state to perform annual audits of records related to inventory of seized property and expenditures of forfeiture proceeds. The bill provides that the report shall be submitted to the attorney general and made public. The bill provides mechanisms for the attorney general to recover its costs under the bill from law enforcement agencies. The bill provides that the bill and the data and reports that it provides for are public information open for inspection under Code chapter 22.