HB518 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arnold MooneyRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Asset forfeitures, reporting and publication requirements, Criminal Justice Information Center, Sec. 41-9-620.1 added.

Summary

HB 518 would create a statewide forfeiture database and require detailed reporting, publication, and accounting of civil asset forfeiture activities in Alabama.

What This Bill Does

The bill adds a program to collect and analyze civil forfeiture data from state, county, and municipal agencies and to publish annual public reports. It requires modifying the uniform crime reporting system to include forfeiture data, establishes specific data elements to be reported, and requires separate budgeting and public auditing of forfeiture funds. It also requires a cost feasibility study for a public forfeiture database and sets timelines for implementation, reporting, and funding.

Who It Affects

• Law enforcement agencies (state, county, and municipal): must collect detailed forfeiture data, maintain funds in separate line items, report expenditures, and notify ALEA if no forfeitures occur in a year.
• Public and policymakers (Governor, Legislature, and general public): will have access to annual public forfeiture reports and, potentially, a public database or quarterly reports to assess forfeiture activity and costs.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Forfeiture Database and Reporting Act and adds Section 41-9-620.1 to require collection and analysis of forfeiture data by ALEA and the commission, including joint federal actions, and to modify the uniform crime report to include forfeiture data.
• Specifies data elements to be collected (agency, seizure date, property type and description, seizure location, currency value, underlying offenses, case numbers, dispositions, federal involvement, claims by third parties, forfeiture order dates, settlements, and dispositions).
• Requires annual public reports through ALEA to the Governor, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and Speaker of the House, with initial report due in 2020, accessible online, and potential quarterly reports upon request.
• Requires separate budgeting for civil asset forfeiture funds, public auditing of those funds, and reconciliation of expenditures to the contributing agency.
• Imposes confidentiality protections to prevent identifying individuals in public data.
• Regulates timelines and funding requirements, including a January 1, 2019 implementation date, a cost feasibility study due by April 1, 2019, and a condition that funding be certified by the Director of Finance before full implementation.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Criminal Law and Procedure