A bill to reform Hawaii’s law on civil asset forfeiture was sent to Gov. David Ige Friday for his consideration.

The Legislature is concerned that law enforcement is seizing the personal property of people who have not be charged or convinced of crime.

House Bill 748 would prohibit the practice.

As proposed, asset forfeiture would only apply to felony cases where property owners have been convicted. The revised law would also not apply to animals prior to a disposition of criminal charges.

“This amounts to government-sponsored theft” the bill states. “The fair administration of justice means ensuring that not a single innocent individual’s personal property is permanently seized without just cause and conviction, or compensation.”

Should HB 748 become law, the state attorney general would be required to deposit the net proceeds of forfeited property into the state’s general fund.