2017S0020-1 12/20/16
 
  By: Huffman S.B. No. 401
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the seizure of property by a peace officer.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Article 59.03, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
  amended by adding Subsections (b-1) and (c-1) and amending
  Subsection (c) to read as follows:
         (b-1)  If property is seized under this chapter without a
  warrant, the peace officer making such seizure shall without
  unnecessary delay, but not later than 48 hours after the seizure,
  make application for a warrant pursuant to Article 18.01 setting
  forth sufficient facts that such seizure was made in accordance
  with Subsection (b). If no warrant is issued, the law enforcement
  agency whose officer made the seizure shall return the property to
  the owner or to the person found to be in possession of the property
  at the time of the seizure or to another person who demonstrates an
  interest in the property, as appropriate. If a proceeding is
  commenced pursuant to Article 59.04, upon motion by an owner or
  interest holder in the property and prior to final hearing, the
  court shall determine whether the seizure of the property was made
  in accordance with Subsection (b). If the court determines that the
  seizure was not made in accordance with Subsection (b), the court
  shall dismiss the proceeding and order the return of the property to
  the owner or to the person found to be in possession of the property
  at the time of the seizure or to another person who demonstrates an
  interest in the property, as appropriate. Any order of return of
  the property shall be stayed upon notice and perfection of an appeal
  by the attorney representing the state of the determination by the
  court.
         (c)  A peace officer who seizes property under this chapter
  has custody of the property, subject only to replevy under Article
  59.02 of this code or an order of a court. A peace officer who has
  custody of property shall provide the attorney representing the
  state with a copy of the warrant authorizing the seizure along with
  [sworn statement that contains] a schedule of the property seized
  and[,] an acknowledgment that the officer has seized the property[,
  and a list of the officer's reasons for the seizure]. Not later
  than 72 hours after the seizure, the peace officer shall:
               (1)  place the property under seal;
               (2)  remove the property to a place ordered by the
  court; or
               (3)  require a law enforcement agency of the state or a
  political subdivision to take custody of the property and move it to
  a proper location.
         (c-1)  A law enforcement agency in custody of property seized
  shall be liable for all associated storage costs.
         SECTION 2.  Article 59.04(b), Code of Criminal Procedure, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  A forfeiture proceeding commences under this chapter
  when the attorney representing the state files a notice of the
  seizure and intended forfeiture in the name of the state with the
  clerk of the district court in the county in which the seizure is
  made. The attorney representing the state must attach to the notice
  the warrant authorizing the seizure pursuant to [peace officer's
  sworn statement under] Article 59.03 of this code or, if the
  property has been seized under Article 59.12(b), the statement of
  the terms and amount of the depository account or inventory of
  assets provided by the regulated financial institution to the peace
  officer executing the warrant in the manner described by Article
  59.12(b). Except as provided by Subsection (c) of this article, the
  attorney representing the state shall cause certified copies of the
  notice to be served on the following persons in the same manner as
  provided for the service of process by citation in civil cases:
               (1)  the owner of the property; and
               (2)  any interest holder in the property.
         SECTION 3.  Article 59.05, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
  amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (h) to
  read as follows:
         (b)  All cases under this chapter shall proceed to trial in
  the same manner as in other civil cases. The state has the burden of
  proving by clear and convincing [a preponderance of the] evidence
  that property is subject to forfeiture.
         (h)  Upon dismissal of a proceeding under this chapter or a
  determination by the court that the property or an interest in the
  property is not forfeitable, the court may order the attorney
  representing the state to pay court costs, including deposition
  fees and reasonable attorney's fees, to an owner or interest holder
  who makes a claim to the property in the proceeding.
         SECTION 4.  Articles 59.06(d-3) and (d-4), Code of Criminal
  Procedure, are amended to read as follows:
         (d-3)  Except as otherwise provided by this article, an
  expenditure of proceeds or property received under this chapter is
  considered to be for a law enforcement purpose if the expenditure is
  made for an activity of a law enforcement agency that relates to the
  criminal and civil enforcement of the laws of this state, including
  an expenditure made for:
               (1)  equipment, including vehicles, computers,
  firearms, protective body armor, furniture, software, uniforms,
  and maintenance equipment;
               (2)  supplies, including office supplies, mobile phone
  and data account fees for employees, and Internet services;
               (3)  investigative and training-related travel
  expenses, including payment for hotel rooms, airfare, meals, rental
  of and fuel for a motor vehicle, and parking;
               (4)  conferences and training expenses, including fees
  and materials;
               (5)  investigative costs, including payments to
  informants and lab expenses;
               (6)  crime prevention and treatment programs;
               (7)  facility costs, including building purchase,
  lease payments, remodeling and renovating, maintenance, and
  utilities;
               (8)  witness-related costs, including travel and
  security; [and]
               (9)  audit costs and fees, including audit preparation
  and professional fees; and
               (10)  storage costs pursuant to Article 59.03(c-1).
         (d-4)  Except as otherwise provided by this article, an
  expenditure of proceeds or property received under this chapter is
  considered to be for an official purpose of an attorney's office if
  the expenditure is made for an activity of an attorney or office of
  an attorney representing the state that relates to the
  preservation, enforcement, or administration of the laws of this
  state, including an expenditure made for:
               (1)  equipment, including vehicles, computers, visual
  aid equipment for litigation, firearms, body armor, furniture,
  software, and uniforms;
               (2)  supplies, including office supplies, legal
  library supplies and access fees, mobile phone and data account
  fees for employees, and Internet services;
               (3)  prosecution and training-related travel expenses,
  including payment for hotel rooms, airfare, meals, rental of and
  fuel for a motor vehicle, and parking;
               (4)  conferences and training expenses, including fees
  and materials;
               (5)  investigative costs, including payments to
  informants and lab expenses;
               (6)  crime prevention and treatment programs;
               (7)  facility costs, including building purchase,
  lease payments, remodeling and renovating, maintenance, and
  utilities;
               (8)  legal fees, including court costs, witness fees,
  and related costs, including travel and security, audit costs, and
  professional fees; [and]
               (9)  state bar and legal association dues; and
               (10)  payment of costs and attorney's fees ordered to be
  paid pursuant to Article 59.05(h).
         SECTION 5.  The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
  a seizure of property that occurs on or after the effective date of
  this Act. A seizure of property occurring before that date is
  governed by the law in effect on the date the seizure was made, and
  the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.