The bill amends the Code of Alabama 1975 to update the financial operations of the sheriff's office in Escambia County. It renames the existing "Escambia County Sheriff Process Fund" to the "Sheriff's Law Enforcement Fund" and mandates that all collected funds be deposited into this new fund rather than any bank chosen by the sheriff. The bill also introduces a provision allowing the sheriff to conduct fundraising events, with proceeds directed to the Sheriff's Law Enforcement Fund. Additionally, it increases service of process fees by $15 for both criminal and civil divisions, and establishes a fee structure for pistol permits, set at $20, with a reduced fee of $15 for seniors aged 65 and older.

Moreover, the bill removes the previous requirement for the Sheriff's Law Enforcement Fund to be audited by the State Examiners of Public Accounts, instead instituting an annual audit with a report to be submitted to the sheriff within 30 days of completion. It also stipulates that on October 1, 2025, all remaining funds from specific existing sheriff-related funds will be transferred to the new fund, while clarifying that these resources will not replace other income sources for the sheriff's office. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 45-27-231, 45-27-231, 45-27-231, 45-27-231, 45-27-231, 45-27-232, 45-27-233