SB376 Alabama 2010 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Roger Bedford, Jr.
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2010
Title: Franklin Co., sheriff, personnel appeals board established to hear appeals of actions concerning employees, members, duties, expense allowance, funded from portion of pistol permit fees, subject to adoption of const. amend.
Summary: SB376 would create a Franklin County personnel appeals board within the Sheriff’s Office to hear appeals of adverse personnel actions, with a specific appointment structure and funding, and would take effect only after approving a constitutional amendment.
What This Bill Does
It establishes a five-member personnel appeals board in the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. Members are appointed by the sheriff, the Franklin County representative in the Alabama House, the Franklin County representative in the Alabama Senate, an employee elected by the sheriff’s office staff, and the Franklin County Commission; terms vary initially and then are two years, with a chair chosen annually. It allows permanent sheriff’s office employees (after six months, excluding the chief deputy) to request a hearing on disciplinary actions, which the board would review and vote to uphold, amend, or overturn. The chief deputy sheriff is not covered by this act. The board’s creation and operation depend on a constitutional amendment authorizing such a board.

Who It Affects
Permanent employees of the Franklin County Sheriff's Office (excluding the chief deputy) who have at least six months of service gain a right to a hearing on disciplinary actions such as reprimand, demotion, suspension, termination, or other adverse actions.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the Franklin County Commission, and the state legislators representing Franklin County are involved in appointing the board and funding its expenses (via pistol permit fee proceeds), with the overall change contingent on a constitutional amendment.

Key Provisions
A five-member personnel appeals board within the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office with appointments from the Sheriff, the Franklin County representative in the House, the Franklin County representative in the Senate, an employee elected by Sheriff’s Office employees, and the Franklin County Commission.
Initial terms: Sheriff/County Commission appointees and the employee-elected member serve one-year terms; the House and Senate appointees serve two-year terms; thereafter all terms are two years and members may serve consecutive terms.
Each member receives a $15 per-meeting expense allowance, up to $300 per year, funded from pistol permit fee proceeds retained by the sheriff; the board must elect a chair annually.
Permanent status for Sheriff’s Office employees after six months (except the chief deputy) and the ability to request a hearing on adverse actions; the board reviews and votes on whether to uphold, amend, or overturn the action.
Excludes the chief deputy sheriff from coverage under this act.
Effective date is contingent on the adoption of a constitutional amendment authorizing the Legislature to create a personnel appeals board for Franklin County.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Franklin County