The bill amends Sections 14-6-42, 14-6-47, and 14-6-51 of the Code of Alabama 1975, focusing on the funding and management of prisoner feeding in county jails. Key changes include an increase in the daily state funding for feeding prisoners, which will rise from $2.25 to $3.00 over the next three years, with specific increments set for October 2024, 2025, and 2026. Additionally, the bill establishes a Prisoner Feeding Fund in each sheriff's office, requiring the sheriff to maintain records of all payments and expenditures, which will be subject to regular audits. It also allows for the use of funds from various sources for feeding prisoners and exempts expenditures from competitive bid laws.

Furthermore, the bill establishes an Emergency Prisoner Feeding Fund, increasing its annual appropriation from $500,000 to $750,000, and sets a cap of $1,000,000 for total accumulated funds. The process for applying for emergency funds is detailed, requiring joint applications from the county commission and sheriff in cases of unforeseen cost overruns. The bill also stipulates that a county commission can receive up to 80% of the actual cost overrun, capped at $50,000 per year. The act is set to take effect on June 1, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 14-6-42, 14-6-47, 14-6-51
Engrossed: 14-6-42, 14-6-47, 14-6-51
Enrolled: 14-6-42, 14-6-47, 14-6-51