Returning unclaimed property

As your State Treasurer one of my greatest passions is returning unclaimed property to its rightful owners. Unclaimed Property doesn't always change the life of its recipient, but having a few extra dollars in your pocket never hurts. Recently I completed my term as the President of the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA). Throughout my term as NAUPA President, I worked on introducing a significant piece of legislation that would return billions of dollars in savings bonds to their rightful owners here in Nebraska, as well as the rest of the country.

'Operation Rightful Owner' is a proposed legislation with the sole purpose of returning nearly $16.5 billion in fully matured U.S. Savings Bonds to their rightful owners around the country. Most of these bonds have been forgotten or abandoned, and their contact information is inaccessible to the American public. Some of the savings bonds in question date back to the 1940's. Names and addresses are buried on old microfiche and are not indexed or searchable. As a result, these bonds sit, neglected, and no longer increase in value.

If successful, Operation Rightful Owner would authorize an examination of microfiche records and the creation of a searchable, electronic database of names. These bonds would finally be open to public access, and the rightful owners of billions of dollars would be reunited with their property. In my opinion this is a true economic stimulus plan as it reunites Americans with money that truly belongs to them.

It is estimated that these matured, unredeemed savings bonds are worth upwards of $115 million for those here is Nebraska. So, if you have family members or deceased relatives who may have purchased bonds in the past, than the federal government owes you money. Operation Rightful Owner seeks to allow you to search for and claim any Unclaimed Property you may be owed.

Ultimately, this is an issue of government accountability. This money belongs to the people and should be returned to them, and I feel that this is the responsibility of our elected officials. The bill has bipartisan support from democrats and republicans alike. Our efforts have generated more support for this bill than ever before, and we are working to pursue our goal of passing this important legislation.