S 1701 - The Sessions/Schumer Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act of 1999



106th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 1701

To reform civil asset forfeiture, and for other purposes.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

October 6, 1999

Mr. SESSIONS (for himself, Mr. SCHUMER, Mr. THURMOND, Mr. BIDEN, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. HELMS, and Mr. CLELAND) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary


A BILL

To reform civil asset forfeiture, and for other purposes.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

SEC. 2. BURDEN OF PROOF.

SEC. 3. NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE FORFEITURE; LIMITATIONS PERIOD FOR CHALLENGES.

aside a declaration of forfeiture entered pursuant to section 609 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1609), which motion shall be granted if--

SEC. 4. TIME FOR FILING CLAIM; WAIVER OF COST BOND.

`SEC. 608. SEIZURES; CLAIMS; JUDICIAL CONDEMNATION.

SEC. 5. TIME FOR FILING A COMPLAINT.

SEC. 6. PROBABLE CAUSE HEARING.

SEC. 7. AWARD OF ATTORNEYS' FEES TO SUCCESSFUL CLAIMANTS.

SEC. 8. SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR REAL PROPERTY.

SEC. 9. COMPENSATION FOR DAMAGE TO SEIZED PROPERTY.

SEC. 10. UNIFORM INNOCENT OWNER DEFENSE.

`Sec. 983. Innocent owners

SEC. 11. RELEASE OF PROPERTY IN HARDSHIP CASES.

`Sec. 985. Release of property to avoid hardship

the property is returned to the claimant during the pendency of the proceeding; and

SEC. 12. STAY OF CIVIL FORFEITURE CASE.

SEC. 13. PREJUDGMENT INTEREST.

SEC. 14. SEIZURE WARRANT REQUIREMENT.

SEC. 15. CIVIL RESTRAINING ORDERS.

SEC. 16. EXCESSIVE FINES.

SEC. 17. CIVIL INVESTIGATIVE DEMANDS.

SEC. 18. ACCESS TO RECORDS IN BANK SECRECY JURISDICTIONS.

SEC. 19. COOPERATION AMONG FEDERAL PROSECUTORS.

SEC. 20. ACCESS TO OTHER RECORDS.

SEC. 21. STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR CIVIL FORFEITURE ACTIONS.

SEC. 22. DESTRUCTION OR REMOVAL OF PROPERTY TO PREVENT SEIZURE.

SEC. 23. FUNGIBLE PROPERTY IN BANK ACCOUNTS.

SEC. 24. CURRENCY SEIZED FROM DRUG COURIERS.

SEC. 25. USE OF FORFEITED FUNDS TO PAY RESTITUTION TO CRIME VICTIMS.

SEC. 26. FUGITIVE DISENTITLEMENT.

`Sec. 2466. Fugitive disentitlement

SEC. 27. ENFORCEMENT OF FOREIGN FORFEITURE JUDGMENT.

`Sec. 2467. Enforcement of foreign judgment

under subchapter II of chapter 5, or chapter 7, of title 5 (commonly known as the `Administrative Procedure Act').

SEC. 28. ENCOURAGING USE OF CRIMINAL FORFEITURE AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO CIVIL FORFEITURE.

SEC. 29. APPLICATION OF PROCEDURES FOR DRUG CASES.

SEC. 30. APPLICATION OF PROCEDURES TO OTHER CIVIL FORFEITURES.

`Sec. 987. Application of procedures

SEC. 31. APPLICATION TO ALIEN SMUGGLING OFFENSES.

SEC. 32. EFFECTIVE DATES.

END