HB688 Alabama 2015 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Low Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Craig Ford
Independent
Session: Regular Session 2015
Title: Etowah Co., sheriffs, additional qualifications, continuing education
Summary: HB688 adds new eligibility rules and requires annual continuing education for Etowah County sheriffs.
What This Bill Does
It sets minimum qualifications for anyone running for or serving as Etowah County sheriff (citizenship, a one-year county residency, county voter status for at least one year, a high school diploma or GED, age 25 or older, and no felony conviction). It also requires the sheriff to complete at least 12 hours per year of executive-level continuing education approved by the Alabama Sheriff’s Association or National Sheriff’s Association, with the certification filed with the county judge of probate by December 31 each year. The measure does not apply to supernumerary sheriffs and becomes effective immediately after passage and governor approval. It applies only to Etowah County.

Who It Affects
Candidates for the Etowah County Sheriff’s office, who must meet the new qualifications to run or be appointed.
Currently serving or newly elected sheriffs in Etowah County, who must complete 12 hours of annual continuing education and file annual certification.
Etowah County judge of probate, who will receive the annual continuing education certifications.
Alabama Sheriff’s Association and National Sheriff’s Association, which provide the approval of continuing education.
Residents and voters of Etowah County, by establishing residency and voter status requirements for sheriff eligibility.
Supernumerary sheriffs, who are not affected by these provisions.

Key Provisions
Section 2(a): Adds minimum qualifications for Etowah County sheriff candidates and appointees: US citizenship; at least one year of county residency; eligible elector and registered to vote in the county for at least one year; a high school diploma or GED; at least 25 years old; and no felony conviction.
Section 2(b): Requires the sheriff to complete at least 12 hours annually of executive-level continuing education, approved by the Alabama Sheriff's Association or the National Sheriff's Association, and to file a certification of annual continuing education with the county judge of probate by December 31.
Section 3: Excludes supernumerary sheriffs from the act’s provisions.
Section 4: The act becomes effective immediately following passage and governor approval (or upon becoming law otherwise).
Section 1: The act applies only to Etowah County.

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