Coroner investigations-disposition of decedent's property.
This bill (SF 75) clarifies how county coroners handle property found on deceased individuals when no personal representative or next of kin claims it. It requires coroners to release low-value personal items ($50 or less) or essential items to next of kin, but if unclaimed after a reasonable time, the property must be sold at public auction or through county-approved methods. Proceeds first cover burial expenses as specified in the law, with any remaining funds deposited into the county’s general fund. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and directly affects coroners, counties, and families of unclaimed decedents.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
House Passage
Feb 2025
Signed into Law
Feb 2025
Introduced Jan 17, 2025
Signed Feb 27, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduced
→
Enrolled
·
4 edits
·
Feb 27, 2025
MODERATE
This bill clarifies how county coroners should handle property found on deceased individuals when there is no personal representative or next of kin. It adds a requirement for coroners to make a good faith effort to contact next of kin before disposing of property, sets a specific 180-day claim period, and changes where unclaimed proceeds go from the county general fund to the state treasurer under the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act.
Scope change
The bill expands coroner responsibilities by adding a new subsection requiring active outreach to next of kin and modifies the disposition process for unclaimed property.
REQUIREMENT
Coroners must now make a good faith effort to contact the deceased's next of kin before disposing of property found on the body.
Items valued under $50 and those needed for next of kin convenience may still be released to next of kin without claim procedures.
TIMELINE
Next of kin now have exactly 180 days to claim money and property found on the deceased, replacing the previous 'reasonable time' standard.
FISCAL
Unclaimed proceeds exceeding $50 must now be deposited with the state treasurer under the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act instead of the county's general fund.
Floor votes · Senate Jan 30, 2025 · House Feb 24, 2025
How they voted
30–0
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 31
Jan 30, 2025
D
Democratic2
100% Yea
R
Republican29
96% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
22
Key actions
8
Committee
4
Feb 27, 2025
Signed into law
Governor Signed SEA No. 0030
legislature
Feb 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
S Concur:Passed 29-0-2-0-0
upper
Feb 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
H 3rd Reading:Passed 60-0-2-0-0
lower
Feb 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
H COW:Passed
lower
Feb 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
H10 - Labor:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 8-0-1-0-0
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Introduced
H Introduced and Referred to H10 - Labor
lower
Jan 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
S 3rd Reading:Passed 30-0-1-0-0
upper
Jan 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
S COW:Passed
upper
Jan 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
S01 - Judiciary:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 4-0-1-0-0
upper
Jan 17, 2025
Introduced
S Introduced and Referred to S01 - Judiciary
upper
1 primary · 4 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Cale Case
RRepublican
Co
Barry Crago
RRepublican
Co
Bill Landen
RRepublican
Co
Jeremy Haroldson
RRepublican
Co
Karlee Provenza
DDemocratic
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