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2016 Session

Budget Amendments - HB30 (Conference Report)

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Specifications Related to OAG Negotiated Settlements (language only)

Item 4-2.02 #1c

Item 4-2.02 #1c

Revenues
General Fund Revenue

Language

Page 463, after line 18, insert:

"d. RECOVERIES BY THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

1. As a condition of the appropriation for Item 59 of this Act, there is hereby created the Disbursement Review Committee (the "Committee"), the members of which are the Attorney General, who shall serve as chairman; two members of the House of Delegates appointed by the Speaker of the House; two members of the Senate appointed by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules; and two members appointed by the Governor.

2. Whenever forfeitures are available for distribution by the Attorney General through programs overseen by either the U.S. Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture Program or the U.S. Treasury Executive Office for Asset Forfeiture, by virtue of the Attorney General's participation on behalf of the Commonwealth or on behalf of an agency of the Commonwealth, the Attorney General shall seek input from the Committee, to the extent permissible under applicable federal law and guidelines, for the preparation of a proposed Distribution Plan (the "Plan") regarding the distribution and use of money or property, or both. If a federal entity must approve the Plan for such distribution or use, or both, and does not approve the Plan submitted by the Attorney General, the Plan may be revised if deemed appropriate and resubmitted to the federal entity for approval following notification of the Committee. If the federal entity approves the original Plan or a revised Plan, the Attorney General shall inform the Committee, and ensure that such money or property, or both, is distributed or used, or both, in a manner that is consistent with the Plan approved by the federal entity. The distribution of any money or property, or both, shall be done in a manner as prescribed by the State Comptroller and consistent with any federal authorization in order to ensure proper accounting on the books of the Commonwealth."



Explanation

(This amendment clarifies the role of the General Assembly and the Office of the Attorney General in future cases involving the OAG that result in federal asset forfeiture equitable sharing agreement funds available to the participating law enforcement entity.)