Bill > HB203

This bill authorizes the Henry County Sheriff's Office and its task forces to sell, use, or destroy certain abandoned, stolen, or unclaimed property. The Sheriff's Office must maintain records of all recovered property, including descriptions and identifying numbers, and these records will be publicly accessible. Property that remains unclaimed by its rightful owner for at least six months can be sold at a public auction, with specific requirements for firearm sales, including the involvement of a licensed dealer and adherence to federal firearm transfer laws. Notice of these auctions must be published or posted publicly, though perishable items can be sold immediately if attempts to locate the owner are unsuccessful. Owners can reclaim their property before sale by providing proof of ownership and may be required to cover a portion of the notice costs. Proceeds from sales will be held for six months for the owner, after which any unclaimed net proceeds, minus expenses, will be deposited into the Sheriff's Fund for law enforcement purposes, subject to audit. Unclaimed firearms that have been unclaimed for six months or more can be used by the Sheriff's Office for law enforcement or destroyed if deemed unsafe or unlawful for use. This act applies to property held on or after May 1, 2026, and becomes effective on that date.

Government Affairs

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