I
114th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 540
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 27, 2015
Mr. Walberg (for himself, Mr. Cárdenas, Mr. Ellison, Mr. Garrett, and Mr. McClintock) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To restore the integrity of the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, and for other purposes.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Fifth Amendment Integrity Restoration Act of 2015
or the FAIR Act
.
Civil forfeiture proceedings
Section 983 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
in subsection (b)(2)(A)—
by striking , and the property subject to forfeiture is real property that is being used by the person as a primary residence,
; and
by striking , at the request of the person, shall insure
and insert shall ensure
;
in subsection (c)—
in paragraph (1), by striking a preponderance of the evidence
and inserting clear and convincing evidence
;
in paragraph (2), by striking a preponderance of the evidence
and inserting clear and convincing evidence
; and
by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
if the Government's theory of forfeiture is that the property was used to commit or facilitate the commission of a criminal offense, or was involved in the commission of a criminal offense, the Government shall establish, by clear and convincing evidence, that—
there was a substantial connection between the property and the offense; and
the owner of any interest in the seized property—
used the property with intent to facilitate the offense; or
knowingly consented or was willfully blind to the use of the property by another in connection with the offense.
; and
in subsection (d)(2)(A), by striking an owner who
and all that follows through upon learning
and inserting an owner who, upon learning
.
Disposition of forfeited property
Revisions to Controlled Substances Act
Section 511(e) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 881(e)) is amended—
in paragraph (1)—
in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking civilly or
;
by striking subparagraph (A); and
by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (E) as subparagraphs (A) through (D), respectively;
in paragraph (2)—
in subparagraph (A), in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1)
and inserting paragraph (1)(A)
; and
in subparagraph (B), by striking accordance with section 524(c) of title 28,
and inserting the General Fund of the Treasury of the United States
;
by striking paragraph (3);
by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (3); and
in paragraph (3), as redesignated—
in subparagraph (A), by striking paragraph (1)(B)
and inserting paragraph (1)(A)
; and
in subparagraph (B), in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking paragraph (1)(B) that is civilly or
and inserting paragraph (1)(A) that is
.
Revisions to title 18
Chapter 46 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
in section 981(e)—
by striking is authorized
and all that follows through or forfeiture of the property;
and inserting shall forward to the Treasurer of the United States any proceeds of property forfeited pursuant to this section for deposit in the General Fund of the Treasury or transfer such property on such terms and conditions as such officer may determine—
;
by redesignating paragraphs (3), (4), (5), (6), and (7) as paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4), and (5), respectively; and
in the matter following paragraph (5), as so redesignated—
by striking the first, second, third, sixth, and eighth sentences; and
by striking paragraphs (3), (4), and (5)
and inserting paragraphs (1), (2), and (3)
; and
in section 983(g)—
in paragraph (3), by striking grossly
; and
in paragraph (4), by striking grossly
.
Tariff Act of 1930
The Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1304 et seq.) is amended—
in section 613A(a) (19 U.S.C. 1613b(a))—
in paragraph (1)—
in subparagraph (D), by inserting and
after the semicolon;
in subparagraph (E), by striking ; and
and inserting a period; and
by striking subparagraph (F); and
in paragraph (2)—
by striking (A) Any payment
and inserting Any payment
; and
by striking subparagraph (B); and
in section 616 (19 U.S.C. 1616a)—
in the section heading, by striking Transfer of forfeited property
and inserting Dismissal in favor of forfeiture under State law
;
in subsection (a), by striking (a) The Secretary
and inserting The Secretary
; and
by striking subsections (b) through (d).
Title 31
Section 9703 of title 31, United States Code, is amended—
in subsection (a)(1)—
by striking subparagraph (G); and
by redesignating subparagraphs (H) through (J) as subparagraphs (G) through (I), respectively; and
in subsection (b)—
by striking paragraphs (2) and (4); and
by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (5) as paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively.
Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund deposits
Section 524(c)(4) of title 28, United States Code, is amended—
by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B); and
by redesignating subparagraphs (C) and (D) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively.
Structuring transactions to evade reporting requirement prohibited
Amendments to title 31
Section 5324 of title 31, United States Code, is amended—
in subsection (a)—
in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting knowingly
after Public Law 91–508
; and
in paragraph (3), by inserting of funds not derived from a legitimate source
after any transaction
;
in subsection (b), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting knowingly
after such section
; and
in subsection (c), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting knowingly
after section 5316
.
Probable cause hearing in connection with property seizures relating to certain monetary instruments transactions
Amendment
Section 5317 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
Probable cause hearing in connection with property seizures relating to certain monetary instruments transactions
In general
Not later than 14 days after the date on which notice is provided under paragraph (2)—
a court of competent jurisdiction shall conduct a hearing on any property seized or restrained under subsection (c)(2) with respect to an alleged violation of section 5324; and
any property described in subparagraph (A) shall be returned unless the court finds that there is probable cause to believe that there is a violation of section 5324 involving the property.
Notice
Each person from whom property is seized or restrained under subsection (c)(2) with respect to an alleged violation of section 5324 shall be notified of the right of the person to a hearing under paragraph (1).
.
Applicability
The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall apply to property seized or restrained after the date of enactment of this Act.
Proportionality
Section 983(g)(2) of title 18, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
In making this determination, the court shall consider such factors as—
the seriousness of the offense;
the extent of the nexus of the property to the offense;
the range of sentences available for the offense giving rise to forfeiture;
the fair market value of the property; and
the hardship to the property owner and dependents.
.
Reporting requirements
Section 524(c)(6)(i) of title 28, United States Code, is amended by inserting from each type of forfeiture, and specifically identifying which funds were obtained from including criminal forfeitures and which were obtained from civil forfeitures,
after deposits
.
Applicability
The amendments made by this Act shall apply to—
any civil forfeiture proceeding pending on or filed on or after the date of enactment of this Act; and
any amounts received from the forfeiture of property on or after the date of enactment of this Act.