This bill amends several sections of the Code of Alabama 1975 related to the handling of abandoned and stolen personal property by the Sheriff of Marshall County. Key changes include allowing the sheriff to sell recovered property at public or Internet auctions, rather than solely at public auctions. Additionally, the bill modifies the language regarding the sale process, specifying that the sheriff can sell abandoned or stolen property that has remained unclaimed for 12 months to the highest bidder, and it removes the requirement for sales to be conducted only for cash. The bill also clarifies that the sheriff can reject unreasonably low bids and allows for the continuation of sales if no bidders are present.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a new section that mandates the sheriff to maintain a permanent record of abandoned or stolen firearms, including their descriptions and recovery locations. It outlines the process for selling or destroying firearms that remain unclaimed after 12 months, stipulating that sales can only be made to federally licensed gun dealers through a sealed bidding process. The proceeds from these sales will go to the Office of the Sheriff of Marshall County after covering related expenses. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 45-48-231, 45-48-231, 45-48-231, 45-48-231