This bill amends Section 11-2A-2 of the Code of Alabama 1975, which pertains to the compensation of various county officials, including the sheriff. The amendment specifically allows the county commission of a Category 2 or Category 3 county to increase the salary of the sheriff under certain conditions. The new legal language inserted into the current law states that in addition to existing provisions, the county commission may increase the sheriff's salary effective at the beginning of the next term of office, provided the increase is decided upon at least three months prior to the beginning of qualifying for the party primary election. If the salary increase is not authorized to be paid during the incumbent sheriff's term as per the Constitution of Alabama 2022, it shall be paid as an expense allowance until the beginning of the next term of office, at which point it will be included in the sheriff's salary. This expense allowance is to be treated the same as salary for the purposes of any supernumerary program or the Employees' Retirement System.

The bill also includes a deletion from the current law, removing the reference to the "State" in the context of deductions from expense allowances for retirement systems, suggesting a broader application of the law beyond state-specific programs. The act is set to become effective on June 1, 2024, and has passed the Senate with 32 yeas and no nays or abstentions.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 11-2A-2, 11-2A-2
Engrossed: 11-2A-2