HB520 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mack N. ButlerRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Etowah Co., sheriff, feeding of prisoners further provided for, Prisoner Food Fund established, const. amend.

Summary

HB 520 would create a local constitutional amendment in Etowah County to establish a Sheriff’s Prisoner Food Fund, deposit prisoner feeding allowances into it, and allow any excess to be used for law enforcement starting with the next sheriff's term.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the amendment would establish a separate Sheriff’s Prisoner Food Fund in the county treasury to pay for feeding prisoners in the county jail. All allowances or amounts received by the Etowah County Sheriff for feeding prisoners would be deposited into this fund and could carry over from year to year. Any money remaining after prisoner feeding needs could be used by the sheriff for law enforcement purposes and office operations; if more money is needed, the sheriff could use other funds available for the sheriff's office. The sheriff would not be subject to the competitive bid law for purchasing food or supplies used to feed prisoners. The amendment would take effect beginning the next term of the sheriff after ratification, and an election would be held to approve the amendment.

Who It Affects

• Etowah County Sheriff and Sheriff's Office: would manage and access the dedicated Sheriff's Prisoner Food Fund, determine allowable uses, and oversee purchases related to prisoner feeding.
• Prisoners housed in the Etowah County jail: their prisoner feeding would be funded from the new Sheriff’s Prisoner Food Fund.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Sheriff’s Prisoner Food Fund in the county treasury for feeding prisoners.
• Requires all feeding-related allowances or amounts received by the Sheriff to be deposited into the fund, with funds carried over year to year.
• Allows any fund excess to be used for law enforcement purposes and for operating the Sheriff’s Office.
• Permits the Sheriff to use other available funds if more feeding money is needed, not restricted by law.
• Exempts food purchases for prisoner feeding from the competitive bid law.
• Effective beginning the next term of the Sheriff after ratification; requires an election to approve the amendment.

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

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments