HB174 Alabama 2014 Session

Updated Feb 24, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Richard J. Laird
Independent
Session: Regular Session 2014
Title: Randolph 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: HB174 lets the Randolph County Sheriff auction abandoned, stolen, and unclaimed property—including firearms—while keeping public records and directing sale proceeds to fund law enforcement.
What This Bill Does
The bill requires the sheriff to maintain permanent public records of all abandoned or stolen property and firearms, including descriptions, dates recovered, and identifying numbers. It allows the sale of certain perishable or unclaimed property without notice, with a six‑month window for owners to claim proceeds (after which net funds go to the sheriff if unclaimed). It also sets rules for public auctions of non-firearm property after six months, requires notice, and restricts firearm sales to licensed dealers with a bidding process; proceeds from all sales go to the sheriff for law enforcement use and are audited.

Who It Affects
Owners of abandoned, stolen, or unclaimed property in Randolph County, who may claim their property or receive sale proceeds within defined timeframes (and may be charged publication costs if a sale is advertised).
Licensed gun dealers in Alabama, who may participate in firearms sales conducted by the Randolph County Sheriff under the act and must meet licensing requirements.
Randolph County residents and the sheriff's office, as the public records will be open for inspection and proceeds from sales will fund law enforcement and be subject to public accounting.

Key Provisions
Sheriff must keep permanent, public records of all abandoned and stolen property and firearms, with descriptions, recovery dates, and identifying numbers.
Perishable or unclaimed property may be sold without notice after attempts to locate owners, with six months for owners to claim proceeds; proceeds are held separately and paid to the owner upon demand minus costs, or to the Sheriff if unclaimed.
Firearms must be recorded and may be sold or destroyed if unclaimed after six months; sales are limited to licensed Alabama gun dealers with prior notification and must go to the highest sealed bid; proceeds go to the Sheriff after expenses; destruction is permitted under established procedures.
All other abandoned or stolen property unclaimed after six months is sold at public auction with required notice; owners may claim before sale by proving ownership and possibly paying a share of publication costs; sale bids are recorded and the Sheriff may reject unrealistically low bids.
Proceeds from all sales, after expenses, go to the Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement purposes and are subject to auditing by the Examiners of Public Accounts.

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