HB191 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

David StandridgeRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Blount 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

HB191 lets Blount County Sheriff auction abandoned, stolen, or unclaimed property (including firearms), requires records and public notice, and directs sale proceeds to law enforcement use.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the sheriff must keep permanent records of abandoned/stolen property with descriptions and recovery dates, and store items to prevent deterioration. Perishable or unclaimed items can be sold after attempts to locate owners; owners have six months to claim funds or property (for cash proceeds, after expenses). Firearms require tracking and can be sold to licensed gun dealers (or destroyed) if unclaimed after six months, with notices sent to dealers. Proceeds from all sales go to the Sheriff's Office for law enforcement use and are subject to audits.

Who It Affects

• Property owners in Blount County whose abandoned, stolen, or unclaimed items may be sold or claimed; they may retrieve items before sale by proving ownership and may owe a share of publication costs if required.
• The Blount County Sheriff's Office (records, storage, auctions, and handling of proceeds) and licensed gun dealers who may bid on firearms sold by the sheriff.

Key Provisions

• The Sheriff must maintain a permanent public-record of all abandoned and stolen property, with description, recovery date, and identifying numbers.
• Abandoned or stolen perishable property may be sold without notice if owners cannot be located after reasonable attempts, with proceeds held for six months for the owner to claim after deducting recovery, storage, maintenance, and sale costs.
• A permanent firearm record must be kept for all firearms; unclaimed firearms may be sold or destroyed after six months, unless otherwise required by law.
• Firearms can only be sold to state-licensed gun dealers with at least one year of active business; sales are to the dealer submitting the highest sealed bid and must be cash-based; proceeds go to the Sheriff after expenses.
• The Sheriff may destroy firearms and spend necessary funds for that purpose; any firearm held at the act's effective date remains subject to these rules for six months after the effective date.
• Non-firearm property is sold at public auction after six months of being unclaimed, with notice by newspaper publication or courthouse/sh sheriff website posting for at least 20 days.
• Property owners may claim items before sale by providing proof of ownership and may be required to pay a pro rata share of publication costs.
• Proceeds from sales are paid to the Blount County Sheriff's Office for law enforcement use and are audited by the Examiners of Public Accounts.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after 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

Blount County