HB553 Alabama 2013 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: David Colston
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2013
Title: Wilcox Co., sheriff authorized to sell certain abandoned, unclaimed, or stolen property, and firearms, notice, record keeping requirement, distribution of funds for law enforcement purposes
Summary: HB553 lets the Wilcox County Sheriff sell abandoned, stolen, and unclaimed property and firearms at public auctions, requires record-keeping and notice, and directs sale proceeds to law enforcement use.
What This Bill Does
The sheriff must maintain permanent public records of all recovered property and store it safely. If items are unclaimed after six months, non-firearm property is sold at public auctions with notice; proceeds go to the sheriff for law enforcement after covering recovery, storage, and sale costs. Firearms have a separate rule: unclaimed firearms may be sold only to licensed gun dealers or destroyed, after six months, with sales by sealed bid and cash payment, and proceeds go to the sheriff. Proceeds from all sales are used solely for law enforcement and are subject to public audit; owners may claim property before sale by proving ownership and may owe a share of publication costs.

Who It Affects
Property owners in Wilcox County who have abandoned, stolen, or unclaimed items recovered by the sheriff; they may reclaim items before sale and could be charged a pro rata share of publication costs, with possible receipt of sale proceeds if items are sold.
Wilcox County Sheriff’s Office and Wilcox County government; responsible for recording, storing, auctioning property, and handling sale proceeds for law enforcement use plus required audits.
Licensed Alabama gun dealers (with at least one year of active license); may purchase unclaimed firearms through a sealed-bid sale after six months and must pay with cash.
Residents and the general public who wish to participate in auctions for non-firearm property; they may bid at public auctions after proper notice.

Key Provisions
The Sheriff must keep a permanent public record of all abandoned and stolen personal property recovered, including description, recovery date, and identifying numbers; records are open to public inspection.
Non-firearm abandoned or stolen property unclaimed after six months must be sold at public auction following published or posted notice; proceeds after expenses go to the Sheriff for law enforcement use.
Firearms recovered and not claimed remain on record; may be sold to licensed gun dealers or destroyed if unclaimed after six months; sales are to licensed dealers with at least one year of license, via highest sealed bid and cash payment; proceeds go to the Sheriff.
Owners may claim property before sale by proving ownership and may be required to pay a pro rata share of publication costs.
All sale proceeds, after expenses, go to the Office of the Sheriff and are used solely for law enforcement purposes; funds are audited.
The Act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and Governor 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: Wilcox County