In all cases of seizure of any property made subject to forfeiture under this chapter the department or the board shall proceed as follows:

     (1) Forfeiture shall be deemed to have commenced by the seizure. Notice of seizure shall be given to the department or the board immediately if the seizure is made by someone other than an agent of the department or the board authorized to collect taxes.

     (2) Upon notification or seizure by the department or the board or upon receipt of property subject to forfeiture under this chapter from any other person, the department or the board shall list and particularly describe the property seized in duplicate and have the property appraised by a qualified person not employed by the department or the board or acting as its agent. Listing and appraisement of the property shall be properly attested by the department or the board and the appraiser, who shall be allowed a reasonable appraisal fee. No appraisal is required if the property seized is judged by the department or the board to be less than one hundred dollars in value.

     (3) The department or the board shall cause notice to be served within five days following the seizure or notification to the department or the board of the seizure on the owner of the property seized, if known, on the person in charge thereof, and on any other person having any known right or interest therein, of the seizure and intended forfeiture of the seized property. The notice may be served by any method authorized by law or court rule including but not limited to service by mail. The department may also furnish notice electronically as provided in RCW 82.32.135. If service is by mail or notice is provided electronically as provided in RCW 82.32.135, the notice shall also be served by certified mail with return receipt requested. Electronic notification or service by mail shall be deemed complete upon mailing the notice, electronically sending the notice, or electronically notifying the person or persons entitled to the notice that the notice is available to be accessed by the person or persons, within the five-day period following the seizure or notification of the seizure to the department or the board.

     (4) If no person notifies the department or the board in writing of the person's claim of ownership or right to possession of the items seized within fifteen days of the date of the notice of seizure, the item seized shall be considered forfeited.

     (5) If any person notifies the department or the board, in writing, of the person's claim of ownership or right to possession of the items seized within fifteen days of the date of the notice of seizure, the person or persons shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity to be heard as to the claim or right. The hearing shall be before the director or the director's designee or the board or the board's designee, except that any person asserting a claim or right may bring an action for return of the seized items in the superior court of the county in which such property was seized, if the aggregate value of the article or articles involved is more than five hundred dollars. A hearing and any appeal therefrom shall be in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW. The burden of proof by a preponderance of the evidence shall be upon the person claiming to be the lawful owner or the person claiming to have the lawful right to possession of the items seized. The department or the board shall promptly return the article or articles to the claimant upon a determination that the claimant is the present lawful owner or is lawfully entitled to possession thereof of the items seized.

[2007 c 111 § 103; 1998 c 53 § 1; 1987 c 496 § 3.]

NOTES:

     Part headings not law -- 2007 c 111: See note following RCW 82.16.120.

     Effective date -- 1998 c 53: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [March 18, 1998]." [1998 c 53 § 2.]