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Protecting Citizen Property: New Rules for Government Asset Seizures

This act introduces significant changes to how the government can seize citizens' property in civil cases. It aims to better protect property rights by making it harder for authorities to take assets without a court order and increasing citizens' chances of recovering wrongly seized goods. The changes also affect funds from seized property, which will now go to the Treasury, not directly to government agencies.
Key points
No more non-judicial seizures: The government will no longer be able to seize property without a court order.
Increased protection for owners: Authorities must prove a substantial connection between the property and an offense, and that the owner knowingly consented to its illegal use, making wrongful seizures more difficult.
Faster notifications and shorter deadlines: Citizens whose property is seized will be notified more quickly of their rights and have more time to respond.
Legal aid for those in need: Individuals who cannot afford a lawyer may receive assistance in property seizure cases.
Seized funds go to the Treasury: Money obtained from seized property will be deposited into the general fund of the Treasury, rather than directly to agencies, to prevent misuse.
Greater transparency in reporting: Agencies will need to report more precisely on the source of funds from forfeitures.
article Official text account_balance Process page
Expired
Citizen Poll
No votes cast
Additional Information
Print number: 118_HR_1525
Sponsor: Rep. Walberg, Tim [R-MI-5]
Process start date: 2023-03-09
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Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-05-20
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

FAIR Act of 2023

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 118_HR_1525.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the House of Representatives.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2023-03-09.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • No more non-judicial seizures: The government will no longer be able to seize property without a court order.
  • Increased protection for owners: Authorities must prove a substantial connection between the property and an offense, and that the owner knowingly consented to its illegal use, making wrongful seizures more difficult.
  • Faster notifications and shorter deadlines: Citizens whose property is seized will be notified more quickly of their rights and have more time to respond.
  • Legal aid for those in need: Individuals who cannot afford a lawyer may receive assistance in property seizure cases.
  • Seized funds go to the Treasury: Money obtained from seized property will be deposited into the general fund of the Treasury, rather than directly to agencies, to prevent misuse.
  • Greater transparency in reporting: Agencies will need to report more precisely on the source of funds from forfeitures.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Rep. Walberg, Tim [R-MI-5].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-24.

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