Bill calls for asset forfeiture transparency in Kansas

TOPEKA (KSNT) - A bill calling for greater transparency in civil asset forfeiture gathered unanimous support in both chambers.

Senate Bill 458 will remove certain offenses that give rise to forfeiture, direct the court to determine whether forfeiture is unconstitutionally excessive, add additional time limitations and would amend several parts of the Kansas Asset Seizure and Forfeiture Act.

Last year the Americans for Prosperity Foundation-Kansas (AFPF-KS) released a report on civil asset forfeiture in Kansas. The report found Kansas law enforcement seized more than $25 million in money and property. According to the report, most seizures in Kansas don't involve figures unrelated to organized crime, but a significant loss for the average person.

"Last year, Americans for Prosperity Foundation-Kansas released an updated report analyzing civil asset forfeiture data in the state, underscoring the need for major reforms to ensure the law protects people’s property without overreaching and unconstitutional confiscation," AFPF-KS wrote in a press release.

Americans for Prosperity Foundation-Kansas alleged in their report the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) grossly underrepresented the total amount of cash and property forfeited in its annual reports. In 2022, the KBI reported a total of $3,447,219 in forfeited property.

"While the KSASFA requires only that a report of non-compliant Kansas law enforcement agencies be submitted to the Kansas Legislature, the KBI has included additional information from the KASFR, in this report, to provide a more comprehensive picture of asset forfeiture actions in our state."

Excerpt from the KBI 2022 Civil Asset Forfeiture Report

For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Get the latest in weather alerts by downloading our Storm Track Weather App.