2015 House Bill 4629 / 2016 Public Act 418

Repeal “bond” requirement to contest civil asset forfeiture

Introduced in the House

May 20, 2015

Introduced by Rep. Pete Lucido (R-36)

To repeal a requirement that a property owner whose property has been seized by police and is subject to “civil forfeiture” must provide a cash bond in order to contest the taking, and if the challenge is unsuccessful, must pay all the expenses of the proceedings. Under civil forfeiture laws, police can seize any property that may be associated with a crime using an extremely broad definition, and then keep the property (or the proceeds from its sale) even if the owner is never convicted or even charged with a crime.

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary

Jan. 26, 2016

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the bill be referred to the Committee on Oversight and Ethics.

Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Ethics

Feb. 23, 2016

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

March 22, 2016

Passed in the House 100 to 7 (details)

To repeal a requirement that a property owner whose property has been seized by police and is subject to “civil forfeiture” must provide a cash bond in order to contest the taking, and if the challenge is unsuccessful, must pay all the expenses of the proceedings. Under civil forfeiture laws, police can seize and keep any property that may be associated with a crime and keep the property - or the proceeds from its sale - even if the owner is never convicted or even charged with a crime.

Received in the Senate

March 23, 2016

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary

May 12, 2016

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Dec. 14, 2016

Passed in the Senate 29 to 8 (details)

To repeal a requirement that a property owner whose property has been seized by police and is subject to “civil forfeiture” must provide a cash bond in order to contest the taking, and if the challenge is unsuccessful, must pay all the expenses of the proceedings. Under civil forfeiture laws, police can seize and keep any property that may be associated with a crime and keep the property - or the proceeds from its sale - even if the owner is never convicted or even charged with a crime.

Received in the House

Dec. 14, 2016

Dec. 15, 2016

Passed in the House 101 to 7 (details)

To concur with the Senate-passed version of the bill.

Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder

Dec. 31, 2016