The 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 such property at public or Internet auctions, rather than solely at public auctions. Additionally, the language has been updated to clarify that the sheriff must sell all unclaimed property after 12 months, with proper notice given through publication or posting. The requirement for cash-only sales has been removed, allowing for more flexibility in accepting bids, and the sheriff is granted the authority to reject unreasonably low bids.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a new section that mandates the sheriff to maintain a permanent record of abandoned or stolen firearms, detailing their descriptions and recovery locations. If the owner does not claim a firearm within 12 months, the sheriff may sell or destroy it, with sales restricted to licensed gun dealers through a sealed bidding process. The proceeds from these sales will support the Office of the Sheriff of Marshall County. 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
Enrolled: 45-48-231, 45-48-231, 45-48-231, 45-48-231