The bill amends Section 45-38-71.01 of the Code of Alabama 1975, specifically for Lamar County, to revise the process for personal property auctions conducted by the county commission. Key changes include the removal of the publication requirement for online auctions, allowing the county to sell tangible personal property through public auctions without the need for extensive advertising. The bill specifies that if the auction is conducted online, there is no requirement for public advertisement, whereas previously, auctions had to be advertised for four consecutive weeks. Additionally, the language has been updated to reflect current legal standards, including the removal of references to "equipment or other items" and the inclusion of "whether at a public auction in person or online."

Furthermore, the bill eliminates the previous penalties for violations of this section, which classified such violations as a Class B felony with significant fines and potential imprisonment. Instead, it allows any taxpayer or bona fide unsuccessful bidder to bring a civil action to challenge contracts entered into in violation of the amended provisions. The act is set to take effect on June 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 45-38-71, 45-38-71
Engrossed: 45-38-71, 45-38-71