“My intention is to remove the direct profit incentive of forfeiture. An agency shouldn’t be able to grow its budget based on how much property it takes. At the same time, the state’s General Revenue Fund shouldn’t rely on that either,” said Loveless.

“I want to create a new fund that would be run by a citizen oversight board with funds being used to address our state’s continued drug crisis.”

The 15-person board would issue grants from the fund to drug treatment facilities, drug courts and law enforcement agencies.

“This updated proposal to reform civil asset forfeiture laws shows Sen. Loveless’ willingness to listen to all sides and work hard to bring people together,” said Trent England, vice president of strategic initiatives at the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs. “While many would like to see even more reforms and a few seem bent on opposing any changes at all, Senate Bill 838 is a healthy middle ground where reasonable people can agree and move ahead.”

The director of the Oklahoma Policy Institute spoke out in favor of the reform efforts.