New amendments to seizure and forfeiture bill

A bill requiring law enforcement agencies to track seized and forfeited property is still in play with new amendments.

SB 6266, sponsored by Sen. Mike Padden (R–Spokane Valley), requires agencies that seize or collect forfeited property to keep records and submit annual reports on all property seized and forfeited. The Senate Law & Justice Committee made two changes to the bill before sending it to the Senate Ways & Means Committee. The changes include:

1. The State Treasurer must provide an annual report to the Legislature providing aggregate data from the reports it receives from seizing agencies.
2. The State Auditor must conduct an annual audit of a seizing agency that fails to comply with the reporting requirements in this section until compliance is obtained.

AWC does not support the bill. We are concerned with the onerous reporting requirements. Additionally, there is a concern that this is a first step to repealing civil forfeiture entirely.

SB 6266 is now in the Senate Ways & Means Committee for hearing.