SB313 Alabama 2017 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Low Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Tom Whatley
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2017
Title: Russell Co., sheriff, Sheriff Service of Process Fund, created, service of process, further provided for, sheriff may contract for service, fees, disposition of funds
Summary: SB313 creates the Russell County Sheriff Service of Process Fund, allows the sheriff to contract for service of process (excluding arrest warrants), and imposes a $15 per-document fee to fund process service and related law enforcement in Russell County.
What This Bill Does
Establishes the Russell County Sheriff Service of Process Fund to pay for service of process and related sheriff activities in the county. Gives the sheriff authority to contract with private, public, or governmental entities to provide service of process (excluding arrest warrants). Adds a $15 service-of-process fee per civil document, with two-thirds of fees going to the Fund and one-third to the circuit clerk fund; the money must be used for county law enforcement and cannot revert to the general fund or replace other sheriff/jail funding. Becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage.

Who It Affects
People and businesses in Russell County needing civil process service; they will be charged the $15 per-document fee (with certain exemptions).
The Russell County Sheriff, who can contract for service of process and will manage the new Fund and its use for law enforcement.
Russell County civil and circuit court offices and staff who collect and allocate the new service-of-process fees.
District Attorney, law enforcement, and grand juries who are exempt from paying the fee.

Key Provisions
Creation of the Russell County Sheriff Service of Process Fund and authorization for the sheriff to contract for service of process with private, public, or governmental entities.
Imposition of a $15 service-of-process fee per civil document, with two-thirds deposited into the Fund and one-third to the circuit clerk fund; exemptions apply to some offices.
Use of Fund proceeds for county law enforcement and process-service activities, with funds not reverting to the county general fund and not replacing other sheriff/jail funding.
Effective date: the act takes effect on the first day of the third month after passage, with applicability restricted to Russell 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: Russell County