AB 1612: Disposition of controlled substances.

California · Assembly · 2025–2026 Regular Session · last verified August 15, 2026

What AB 1612 does, verified August 15, 2026

The bill aims to dispose of controlled substances in California. It allows local police departments, sheriff's offices, and state law enforcement agencies to transport controlled substances held beyond the applicable retention period for ongoing investigations or related proceedings. These substances can be transported to the Department of Justice for disposal. The Department of Justice would contract with a third party to dispose of the substances, if funded by the legislature. This process aims to streamline the disposal of controlled substances and reduce the risk of contamination or unauthorized access.

Bill journey

✓IntroducedComplete

✓In CommitteeComplete

✓First Chamber FloorComplete

4Second ChamberCurrent

5GovernorPending

6ChapteredPending

Last action: In committee: Held under submission. (2026-08-13)Alert me

Author and sponsors

Asm. Juan AlanisAuthor · California State Assembly

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Recent actions21 total · showing 5

Aug. 13, 2026	In committee: Held under submission.
Aug. 03, 2026	In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.
Jul. 01, 2026	From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (June 30). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
Jun. 10, 2026	Referred to Com. on PUB. S.
May. 28, 2026	In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.

Full action history, 16 earlier actionsConnect Plus

Latest bill textAmended version, May 18, 2026 · 502 words

Amended IN Assembly May 18, 2026

Amended IN Assembly April 07, 2026

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill

No. 1612

Introduced by Assembly Member Alanis

January 21, 2026

An act to add Section 11451 to the Health and Safety Code, relating to controlled substances.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 1612, as amended, Alanis. Disposition of controlled substances.

Existing law, the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, authorizes the forfeiture and seizure of property involved in, or purchased with the proceeds from, a controlled substance offense. Existing law authorizes a police or sheriff’s department, the Department of Justice, or the Department of the California Highway Patrol to, with an order from the court, destroy controlled substances, instruments, or paraphernalia, as specified.

This bill would authorize a local police department, sheriff’s office, or state law enforcement agency in possession of a controlled substance to transport a controlled substance that has been held beyond the applicable retention period for an ongoing investigation or related proceedings, and that they are otherwise authorized by law to destroy, to the Department of Justice for disposal. The bill would authorize the Department of Justice, upon an appropriation by the Legislature, to contract with a third party to dispose of all controlled substances received pursuant to these provisions.
This bill would require the Department of Justice, upon an appropriation by the Legislature, and in consultation with the Department of Toxic Substances Control and other relevant state and local agencies, to develop and publish guidance, on the Department of Justice’s internet website, for proper management and disposal of controlled substances in the possession of law enforcement, as specified.

Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

Section 11451 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:

11451.

~~(a)~~The Department of Justice may, upon an appropriation by the Legislature, contract with a third party to dispose of all controlled substances received from a local police department, sheriff’s office, or state law enforcement agency, pursuant to subdivision (b). As used in this section, “controlled substances” has the same meaning as defined in the California Uniform Controlled Substances Act, pursuant to Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 11000). shall, upon an appropriation by the Legislature, and in consultation with the Department of Toxic Substances Control and other relevant state and local agencies, develop and publish guidance, on the Department of Justice’s internet website, for proper management and disposal of controlled substances in the possession of a local police department, sheriff’s office, or state law enforcement agency.

(b)A local police department, sheriff’s office, or state law enforcement agency in possession of a controlled substance may, if the controlled substance has been held beyond the applicable retention period for an ongoing investigation or related proceedings and they are otherwise authorized by law to destroy the controlled substance, transport the controlled substance to the Department of Justice for disposal.
~~(c)The Department of Justice shall promulgate regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this section.~~

Text of AB 1612 as amended, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions