CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — State lawmakers are working on legislation to reform civil asset forfeiture, which requires owners to go to court to argue for their money back if it has been seized by authorities in connection to alleged drug crimes.

New data shows that less than 15 percent of cash seized by Wyoming police in alleged drug crimes has been returned to its owners since 2010.

Lawmakers met Thursday to consider two asset forfeiture bills. One bill would require judges to use a higher standard of "clear and convincing evidence" to decide whether property was used in drug crimes. The other bill would require someone to be convicted of a crime before asset forfeiture proceedings begin.

Lawmakers hope to present their work on the legislation next year.

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