WASHINGTON — Congressmen Tim Walberg and Jamie Raskin have introduced the FAIR Act, aimed at reforming federal civil asset forfeiture laws.
Congressman Tim Walberg of Michigan and Congressman Jamie Raskin of Maryland announced the bipartisan Fifth Amendment Integrity Restoration Act in Washington, D.C. The proposal seeks to raise the level of proof required for the federal government to seize property and to increase transparency and congressional oversight.
Walberg said the legislation responds to cases involving small business owners and farmers who have faced property seizures under current forfeiture laws. He stated the bill is designed to restore due process protections and reinforce the presumption of innocence.
Original co-sponsors include Congressman Tom McClintock of California and Congresswoman Mary Scanlon of Pennsylvania.
The Institute for Justice is also backing the measure. Senior Attorney Dan Alban said the bill would eliminate what he described as financial incentives tied to forfeiture and would remove the administrative forfeiture system, requiring property cases to be handled by judges rather than bureaucrats.
The full text of the FAIR Act is available online.