1. (a) If a law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that a vessel or its contents contain evidence tending to show that a criminal offense has been committed or that a particular person has committed an offense, the officer may take whatever steps are reasonable to ensure the preservation of the evidence, including safe storage of the vessel or its contents.
2. (b) If a criminal conviction is obtained as a result of an action taken pursuant to subsection (a), the person convicted shall pay any storage fees incurred pursuant to that subsection. If a conviction is not obtained, the law enforcement agency that seized the vessel pursuant to subsection (a) shall pay any storage fees incurred.

L. 2006, ch. 85, § 14; January 1, 2007.