Governor Doyle Signs Bill Allowing
Local Law Enforcement to Retain Drug Money

On January 4, 2006, Governor Jim Doyle signed a bill allowing local law enforcement agencies to retain the money they seize in drug cases. Under the statutes prior to the enactment of this new law, any money seized in a drug case had to be deposited in the school fund. Under Act 91, a law enforcement agency that seizes money in a drug case may retain 70 percent of any amount that does not exceed $2,000 and 50 percent of any amount in excess of $2,000. This money can then be utilized to cover the costs of investigation and prosecution, as well as other costs relating to a forfeiture proceeding and sale.

The WPPA has supported this legislation since it was introduced last year as Assembly Bill 40 by State Representative Garey Bies (R-Sister Bay), and State Senator Alan Lasee (R-De Pere).

WPPA Members from around Wisconsin gathered at the State Capitol in Madison on January 4, 2006, to see Gov. Doyle Sign Assembly Bill 40 into law. Pictured above are WPPA Assistant Executive Director Jim Palmer, WPPA Director Sue Krause of Madison, WPPA President David Mahoney of Dane County, State Rep. Garey Bies, Jim Veeser of Sheboygan, Kurt Brasser of Sheboygan, Kathy Dorn of Dane County, Jeff Flatter of Marathon County, and Bies aide Andrew Nowlan.