S257 - 2026 Appropriations Act. (SL 2026-41)

• Provides that seized and forfeited assets transferred to the Department of Justice (DOJ) during the 2026-2027 fiscal year under federal law must be credited to the DOJ's budget.
• Requires the DOJ to make the following reports to the chairs of the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee on Justice and Public Safety and the Senate Appropriations Committee on Justice and Public Safety:
  • A report upon receipt of any assets.
  • A report that must be made prior to use of the assets on their intended use.
  • A report on receipts, expenditures, encumbrances, and availability of these assets for the previous fiscal year which must be made no later than September 1 of each year.
• Prohibits DOJ from using seized and forfeited assets transferred under federal law for new personnel positions, new projects, and other specified purposes without prior approval of the Geneal Assembly.
• Clarifies that this section does not prohibit State law enforcement agencies from receiving funds from the United States Department of Justice, the United States Department of the Treasury, and the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

This section became effective July 1, 2026.