SB435 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Bibb Co., sheriffs, additional qualifications, continuing education, expense allowance and compensation

Summary

In Bibb County, SB435 adds stricter sheriff qualifications, requires ongoing education, and changes the sheriff’s pay and expense allowance for the next term.

What This Bill Does

It sets minimum qualifications for anyone seeking Bibb County sheriff, including citizenship, one-year county residency, eligible elector status and one-year voter registration, a high school diploma or GED, at least 25 years old, at least 3 years of prior law enforcement, and no felony conviction. It requires the elected sheriff to complete at least 12 hours of annual executive-level continuing education approved by the Alabama Sheriff’s Association or the National Sheriff’s Association, with certification filed with the judge of probate by December 31. It changes compensation by adding an $8,480 annual expense allowance and increasing the sheriff’s salary by $8,480 starting with the next term, after which the expense allowance would be removed, while allowing other county salary increases to continue. It repeals conflicting laws and takes effect immediately after governor approval, with certain changes applying to the next term.

Who It Affects

• Individuals running for Bibb County sheriff (and any appointed sheriff) — must meet the new qualifications to qualify for election or appointment.
• Bibb County Sheriff and Bibb County government — affected by updated qualifications, mandatory continuing education, and revised compensation (salary and expense allowance) funded from the county general fund.

Key Provisions

• Minimum qualifications for Bibb County sheriff candidates: U.S. citizen; 1+ year county residency before qualifying; eligible elector and at least 1 year of county voter registration; high school diploma or GED; at least 25 years old; 3+ years of prior law enforcement; no felony conviction.
• Continuing education requirement: the elected sheriff must complete at least 12 hours annually of executive-level CE approved by the Alabama Sheriff’s Association or the National Sheriff’s Association, with certification filed with the judge of probate by December 31 each year.
• Compensation changes: annual expense allowance of $8,480 payable from the county general fund; starting with the next term, the sheriff’s salary is increased by $8,480 and the expense allowance is void, while the sheriff may still receive other approved salary increases.
• Other and effective provisions: the act repeals laws that conflict with it and becomes effective immediately after governor approval, with the salary/expense changes applying to the next term.

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