84R2452 KEL-D
By: Leach H.B. No. 248
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the state's burden of proof in a criminal asset
forfeiture proceeding.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Article 59.021(d), Code of Criminal Procedure,
is amended to read as follows:
(d) After seizure of the substitute property, the
disposition shall proceed as other cases in this chapter except
that the attorney representing the state must prove by clear and
convincing [a preponderance of the] evidence:
(1) that the contraband described by Subsection (b)
was subject to seizure and forfeiture under this chapter;
(2) the highest fair market value of that contraband
during the period in which the owner of the substitute property
owned, or had an interest in, the contraband;
(3) the fair market value of the substitute property
at the time it was seized; and
(4) that the owner of the substitute property owned or
had an interest in contraband with an aggregate value of $200,000 or
more in connection with the commission of an underlying offense
giving rise to the forfeiture.
SECTION 2. Article 59.05(b), Code of Criminal Procedure, is
amended 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.
SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to a forfeiture proceeding that begins on or after the effective
date of this Act. A forfeiture proceeding that begins before the
effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the
date the proceeding begins, and the former law is continued in
effect for that purpose.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.