HB488 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Allen TreadawayRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Pawnshops, law enforcement agencies, pawnbrokers to make and retain copy of personal indentification card, personal ID card defined, pawnbrokers to report pawn transactions from previous by noon each day, excluding weekends and state holidays, Secs. 5-19A-2, 5-19A-3, 5-19A-5 am'd

Summary

HB488 would require pawnshops to verify buyers' IDs, copy and store those IDs for each pawn, and electronically report pawn activity to law enforcement daily.

What This Bill Does

The bill defines what counts as a personal identification card and requires pawnbrokers to make and keep a copy of the pledgor's or seller's ID for every pawn. It also requires pawnbrokers to record key details on the pawn ticket and to electronically submit a daily record of all pawn transactions to the appropriate law enforcement agency by noon (or the next business day after weekends or holidays). Additionally, it sets how long goods must stay on the pawnbroker's premises before they can be sold and requires the records to be kept on site and available to law enforcement.

Who It Affects

• Pawnbrokers and pawnshops: must copy IDs, maintain detailed transaction records, and electronically report daily pawn activity; must hold pledged goods on site for a defined period.
• Pledgors/sellers and law enforcement: pledgors/sellers must present acceptable ID and sign ownership statements; law enforcement agencies will receive daily electronic records of pawn transactions.

Key Provisions

• Defines Personal Identification Card to include a driver’s license or state ID, military ID, passport, or work authorization.
• Requires pawnbrokers to make and retain a copy of the pledgor's or seller's personal identification card for each pawn transaction.
• Requires recording on the pawn ticket: property description, pledgor/seller name and birth date, date of transaction, ID type and ID number, physical description, cash advanced, maturity date, and monthly charges.
• Mandates electronic submission of all pawn transaction records from the previous day to the appropriate law enforcement agency by noon, with exceptions for weekends and state holidays; if the day is a weekend/holiday, submission is on the next business day.
• Defines ‘appropriate law enforcement agency’ as the sheriff or police chief; municipalities may direct submissions to the sheriff.
• Requires pawnbrokers to keep records on premises and provide a correct copy of entries to law enforcement, except for cash amounts and monthly pawnshop charges.
• Goods pledged or purchased must remain on the pawnbroker's premises for 15 business days before resale (21 calendar days for vehicles).
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage/approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Pawnshops