2019 House Bill 4001 / Public Act 8

Require conviction for property forfeiture

Introduced in the House

Jan. 9, 2019

Introduced by Rep. Jason Wentworth (R-97)

To establish that property seized from a person because it may be associated with a suspected drug-related crime is not subject to “civil asset forfeiture” unless the individual is actually convicted or accepts a plea bargain. This would not apply to police seizures of property worth $50,000 or more. Forfeiture is a legal process by which a government agency (usually police or prosecutors) acquires permanent ownership of property seized by police. House Bill 4002 prescribes specific procedures, notice requirements, deadlines and more.

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary

Feb. 26, 2019

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Feb. 27, 2019

Amendment offered by Rep. Pauline Wendzel (R-79)

The amendment passed by voice vote

Feb. 28, 2019

Passed in the House 107 to 3 (details)

Received in the Senate

March 5, 2019

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety

April 23, 2019

Reported without amendment

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

April 25, 2019

Passed in the Senate 37 to 1 (details)

To establish that property seized from a person because it may be associated with a suspected drug-related crime is not subject to “civil asset forfeiture” unless the individual is actually convicted or accepts a plea bargain. This would not apply to police seizures of property worth $50,000 or more. Forfeiture is a legal process by which a government agency (usually police or prosecutors) acquires permanent ownership of property seized by police.

Received in the House

April 25, 2019

Passed in the House 107 to 3 (details)

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

Signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

May 9, 2019