S257 - Appropriations Act of 2017. (SL 2017-57)

Overview: Section 16B.2 of S.L. 2017-57 provides the following with regard to seized and forfeited assets:

• Assets transferred under federal law to the Department of Justice or the Department of Public Safety shall be credited to the budget and increase the law enforcement resources of the recipient department. Those Departments are required to report to the chairs of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees on Justice and Public Safety any assets received; intended use of assets prior to their use; and an annual report on receipts, expenditures, encumbrances, and availability of assets for the previous fiscal year.
• The Department of Justice and Department of Public Safety are prohibited from using assets transferred under federal law for certain purposes without prior approval of the General Assembly because they may result in additional future expenses for the State.
• State law enforcement agencies are not prohibited from receiving funds from the United States Department of Justice, the United States Department of the Treasury, and the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
• The Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Justice and Public Safety is required to study the impact of receipt of assets on law enforcement efforts and report its findings to the 2018 Regular Session of the 2017 General Assembly.

This section became effective July 1, 2017.