SB252

By Senator Chambliss

ENROLLED, An Act,

Relating to Autauga County and the office of sheriff; to provide certain additional qualifications for persons serving as sheriff; to provide for continuing education for a sheriff; and to further provide for the compensation and expense allowance of the sheriff.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:

Section 1. This act shall apply only to Autauga County.

Section 2. After the effective date of this act, any person qualifying for election to the office of sheriff in the county or any person appointed to serve as sheriff, in addition to any other qualifications required by law, shall meet all of the following minimum qualifications:

(1) The person is a citizen of the United States.

(2) The person has been a resident of the county for at least one year immediately prior to the qualification date.

(3) The person has the qualifications of an elector pursuant to state and federal law and the person has been registered to vote in the county at least one year immediately prior to qualifying.

(4) The person has been awarded a high school diploma or a GED equivalence.

(5) The person is 25 years of age or older prior to qualifying.

(6) The person has three or more years of prior service as a law enforcement officer with the power to arrest.

(7) The person has never been convicted of a felony.

Section 3. Upon election, the sheriff of the county shall attend annually a minimum of 12 hours of executive level continuing education approved by the Alabama Sheriff's Association or the National Sheriff's Association. Certification of annual continuing education shall be filed with the judge of probate of the county by December 31.

Section 4. (a) The Sheriff of Autauga County shall receive an annual expense allowance of twelve thousand dollars ($12,000), payable in equal biweekly installments from the general fund of the county. This expense allowance shall be in addition to all other compensation or benefits granted to the sheriff and may be treated as compensation for retirement purposes.

(b) Effective beginning the next term of office, the annual salary of the Sheriff of Autauga County shall be increased by twelve thousand dollars ($12,000) and the expense allowance provided for in subsection (a) shall be null and void.

(c) In addition, notwithstanding any other provision of law, the sheriff shall continue to receive any uniform cost-of-living or other salary increases granted by the county commission to other elected officials in the county.

Section 5. All laws or parts of laws which conflict with this act are repealed.

Section 6. This act shall become effective immediately following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.

Sheriffs

Autauga County

Law Enforcement

Counties