HR 1525 United States House · 118th Congress

FAIR Act of 2023

HR 1525, the FAIR Act of 2023, reforms federal civil forfeiture laws to require all property seizures to go through a court process rather than allowing agencies to take property without judicial review. It raises the evidence standard from "preponderance of the evidence" to "clear and convincing evidence" for the government to prove forfeiture, and mandates courts to review cases within 7 days of seizure. The bill also requires courts to appoint attorneys for low-income individuals unable to afford legal representation and ensures property owners receive timely notice of their rights. These changes directly affect individuals whose property is seized in civil forfeiture cases, particularly those with limited financial means.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics: Courts

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2023

Committee Review

Floor Vote

President

Introduced Mar 9, 2023 Last action Jun 14, 2023

Floor votes

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No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jun 14, 2023

Lower · Passed

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

lower

Jun 14, 2023

Introduced

Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 0.

lower

Mar 17, 2023

Committee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

lower

Mar 9, 2023

Committee

Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

lower

Mar 9, 2023

Introduced

Introduced in House

lower

1 primary · 18 co-sponsors