A bill that significantly increases reporting requirements around property seized and forfeited by law enforcement agencies is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate.

SB 6266, sponsored by Sen. Mike Padden (R–Spokane Valley), requires a seizing agency to keep records on all property seized and forfeited. Additionally, each agency must file a quarterly report with the State Treasurer. The State Treasurer must establish and maintain a searchable public website that includes all records received. Finally, by March 1 of each year, each seizing agency must file a report with the State Treasurer that summarizes all expenditures from the sum of the net proceeds of all seized and forfeited property during the previous calendar year.

AWC does not support the bill.

Dates to remember

SB 6266 is scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Law & Justice Committee at 10 am on Monday, January 27. It is scheduled for a committee vote at 10 am on Thursday, January 30.