Agriculture
Agricultural theft prevention: retention and sale of agricultural commodity: holding and deposit of proceeds
AB 312 shortens the time counties must hold proceeds from sales of seized agricultural commodities before transferring unclaimed funds to the county general fund.
Lawful owners now have at least three months, rather than six months, to prove ownership and claim sale proceeds. The change speeds counties’ handling of unclaimed proceeds from agricultural-theft seizures.
What the law does
- Requires county agricultural commissioners to hold sale proceeds for at least three months before depositing unclaimed proceeds in the county general fund.
- Preserves an owner’s right to claim proceeds during that period by providing satisfactory proof of ownership.
- Continues to allow commissioners to deduct storage and sale costs, up to the commodity’s sale price.
Who it affects
- Owners of agricultural commodities held or seized on suspicion of unlawful possession.
- County agricultural commissioners handling seized commodities and sale proceeds.